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From its inception over 150 years ago, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has supported human rights. Inspired by biblical values, Adventists chose to be directly involved in the struggle against slavery and injustice, and continue to work at the forefront of human rights and religious freedom today. Adventists claim the right of every person to choose beliefs according to conscience and to practice and teach his or her religion in full freedom, without discrimination, always respecting the equal rights of others. Seventh-day Adventists are convinced that in religion the exercise of force is contrary to God’s principles.
In promoting religious freedom, family life, education, health, mutual assistance, and meeting crying human need, Seventh-day Adventists affirm the dignity of the human person created in the image of God.
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written and adopted by individuals who had emerged from the unprecedented destruction, disorientation and distress of World War II.
This harrowing experience gave them a vision of, and a desire for, a future world of peace and freedom. Coming from the best and highest part of the human heart, the Universal Declaration is a fundamental document standing firmly for human dignity, liberty, equality, and non-discrimination of minorities. Article 18, which upholds unconditionally religious liberty in belief and practice, is of special importance, because freedom of religion is the basic human right which undergirds and upholds all human rights.
Today the UDHR is often violated, not least Article 18. Intolerance frequently raises its ugly head, despite the human rights progress accomplished in many nations. The Seventh-day Adventist Church urges the United Nations, government authorities, religious leaders and believers, and nongovernment organizations to consistently work for the implementation of this Declaration.
News Stories On This Subject
The Ten Commandments
With recent public and legal controversies over the place of the Ten Commandments in public places, and on government property, the Christian community is rediscovering and placing new emphasis on the importance of God’s law for recovering the moral foundation of American life. Seventh-day Adventists encourage all who seek to honor God’s law, and to turn attention to the importance of obedience to God. However, we also value the importance of freedom from religious coercion.Additional links on this topic:
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE6/19/06: Nepal: Adventists Welcome Secular State Declaration
Seventh-day Adventists in the Himalayan nation of Nepal are among those welcoming a recent series of reforms, including the designation of the country as a "secular" state. Previously, Hinduism had been the religion of Nepal.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE5/19/06: Uzbekistan: Government Reportedly Closes Samarqand Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Samarqand (also known as Samarkand) has been closed by the Uzbekistan government, external media reports indicate.
CLICK HERE TO READ MOREIraq: Car Bomber Targets Baghdad Church; Christians Protest Attacks
The Baghdad Seventh-day Adventist Church has been targeted by a car bomb for the second time in two years, injuring an armed guard, one of two permanently stationed to protect the church compound.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORETurkmenistan: Stop Religious Persecution
As a coalition of non-governmental organizations, we are writing to express our concern over the dire and worsening situation of religious freedom in Turkmenistan, and to urge you to secure meaningful, measurable, and sustainable short-term improvements.
CLICK HERE TO READ MOREUN Expert on Religious Freedom Calls for Greater Support
Geneva, Switzerland… In an April 6 meeting with non-government organizations, United Nations special rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief Asma Jahangir called for greater support of the fundamental liberties of conscience.
CLICK HERE TO READ MOREAdventist Women Advocate Gender Equality at United Nations
New York, New York, United States ....Five Seventh-day Adventist women added their voices to thousands of other women in calling for drastic improvements in the lives of women worldwide at the United Nations' 50th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women.
CLICK HERE TO READ MOREUN Commission on Human Rights Closes Down
Geneva, Switzerland… The United Nations Commission on Human Rights concluded its work today, March 27, in a final session that reviewed its sixty year history.
CLICK HERE TO READ MOREUN Expert on Religious Intolerance Appeals for Support, Commends Adventists
New York, NY… United Nations expert Ms. Asma Jahangir appealed for greater support in the fight against religious intolerance during a meeting in New York on October 24
CLICK HERE TO READ MOREHuman Trafficking
Human trafficking is defined as the movement of women and children for purposes of prostitution or sexual slavery. It includes transporting, transferring, harboring, or sale. Trafficking usually occurs through means such as drugging, kidnapping, raping, assaulting, or other forms of violence.
CLICK HERE TO READ MOREMilitary Service
The following information may be helpful for individuals currently serving or considering enlistment in the United States armed forces and for those concerned about conscientious objection and religious liberty in the military.
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