Editorial: Needed, A True Human Rights Movement Based Upon the Natural Law

Understanding the existence of Natural Law as the basis of human rights is critical

The Catholic Catechism affirms that there is a Natural Law, "present in the heart of each man and established by reason." This law "is universal in its precepts and its authority extends to all men. It expresses the dignity of the person and determines the basis for his fundamental rights and duties," (CCC# 1956). It is in this Natural Law that we find the moral truths to inform our life together. 

P>CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - On May 4, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI I spoke to members of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. He reaffirmed that there is a Natural Law which can be known by all men and women through the exercise of reason. This Natural Law has also made known to all men and women the existence of fundamental human rights which are binding upon all Nations and for all time:

"The Church has always affirmed that fundamental rights, above and beyond the different ways in which they are formulated and the different degrees of importance they may have in various cultural contexts, are to be upheld and accorded universal recognition because they are inherent in the very nature of man, who is created in the image and likeness of God. If all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, then they share a common nature that binds them together and calls for universal respect."

Understanding the existence of Natural Law as the basis of human rights is critical in the light of the current decline of Western civilization. In the U.S. and throughout much of Europe, there is a denial of fundamental Human Rights beginning with the denial of what is the foundation of all true human rights, the Right to Life. Rediscovering the truth concerning the existence of a Natural Law as the ground for human rights is the path to the recovery of western civilization.

In an Orwellian twist the denial of fundamental human rights today comes couched in a counterfeit "rights talk" which substitutes judicially or legislatively manufactured "rights" in their place. It then uses what Orwell called "newspeak" . The most egregious example is the counterfeit "right" to abortion. One can never have a "right" take innocent human life. That is the case even if the positive law of a given State declares it to be "legal" - because it violates the Natural Law. 

The next most egregious denial of Natural Law Rights is the effort to enforce a legal equivalency between homosexual relationships and true marriage in the positive or civil law. Marriage is what it is and no amount of "newspeak" or appeals to a counterfeit notion of "tolerance" can ever change the truth.  

Then there is the growing misuse of the Police Power of the State to enforce these counterfeit "rights" with an iron hand. This is an ominous trend in the West. The propaganda effort is aimed at those who insist on the existence of a Natural Law. They are said to be taking a "religious" position which should be censored, or at least confined to the four walls of a Church. This sophistry is used to confuse people concerning the very reasonableness of the Natural Law position.

The Pope told the gathered leaders: "Strictly speaking, these human rights are not truths of faith, even though they are discoverable - and indeed come to full light - in the message of Christ who "reveals man to man himself" (Gaudium et Spes, 22). They receive further confirmation from faith.." He continued  "The Church's action in promoting human rights is therefore supported by rational reflection, in such a way that these rights can be presented to all people of good will, independently of any religious affiliation they may have."

The Pope signals the way for all who work to confront the growing culture of death and make a defense for the dignity of life, marriage, family and authentic human freedom. We need a movement which defends true human rights such as the right to life, religious freedom and true marriage and the family and society founded upon it using this Natural Law framework and language.

The recent dismissal of Professor Ken Howell is being rectified. However, it revealed this danger. This Professor was a victim of the "Dictatorship of Relativism" which Pope Benedict XVI warned of. He simply taught what the Catholic Church teaches about the existence of the Natural Law and its binding nature on all men and women of every age in a course on Catholic teaching. The new censors could not tolerate it. 

The Catholic Catechism affirms that there is a Natural Law, "present in the heart of each man and established by reason." This law "is universal in its precepts and its authority extends to all men. It expresses the dignity of the person and determines the basis for his fundamental rights and duties." (CCC# 1956) It is in this Natural Law that we find the moral truths which should inform our life together if we hope to be a truly just and free society.

Human freedom has a moral constitution. It must be exercised in reference to the truth concerning the human person, the family, our obligations in solidarity to one another and the common good. Paragraph 1733 of the Catholic Catechism is both profound and straightforward: "The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin."

The relativists of this age have persuaded many, including some Catholics, that there are no objective moral truths; there are only "my" truths and "your" truths. When nothing is true, there is no truth. "Good" and "Evil" are up for grabs. The poisonous fruit of the forbidden tree continues to corrupt and enslave many.  

It is vitally important that Catholics take the time to read the teaching of their Church concerning the Natural Law. Sadly, comments to Catholic Online have revealed that many do not know it. Our task is not only to protect "our place" within the Nations wherein we live but to defend the right of all men and women to the true rights which alone can lead to human freedom and flourishing.  It is time for a human rights movement based upon a proper understanding of the Natural Law.

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