Chapter 4 Human Rights and the Orthodox Church in a Global World
In: Theology and the PoliticalSearch for other papers by Emmanuel Clapsis in
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This essay argues that human rights can be an indispensable part of the church’s public witness in plural democratic societies. An Orthodox appreciation of human rights requires first to be viewed in their original historical context and be cognizant of the pragmatic political needs that led to their modern formulation and expression. This essay argues for the need to embed human rights in multiple philosophical, religious, and secular systems of beliefs and practices so as to be passionately advocated and implemented by all peoples. It then argues that Orthodoxy should embrace human rights after it has theologically justified their importance for the political life of the modern world. It envisions Orthodox churches as “connected critics” of human rights in plural democratic states.