Today we take universal human rights for granted. As humans we all deserve the same basic rights. This is a strange development for humanity.
A sign at the Center for Civil Rights in Atlanta, Georgia, in the US. PICTURE: Michelle Bonkosky/Unsplash
For most of history we have operated in families, clans, tribes and clubs. Those inside your tribe had a place and value, those outside were strangers and enemies.
It was not a crime to kill or steal from another tribe; it was heroic. It would not occur to such people that other tribes had rights.
How did this change? It took a movement that saw those outside their walls not as enemy, but brother and sister, equals to be cared for. It was a movement that had a vision for a global community.
This movement was the church, started by Jesus who had a message for all nations, and commanded love for enemy.
We have a lot to thank Him for.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
