“Human Rights find their basis in natural law, in the heart of man.”

Pope Benedict XVI spoke these words during his speech to the United Nations on Friday, April 18th, 2008. In writing this article, it is my hope that his words will serve as a reminder for everyone - as they did for me - that the commonalities that exist between us are far greater than our differences, and that everyone should be accountable for the decisions they make within our collective society.

Another quote from Pope Benedict’s speech, “when natural reason is abandoned, religious freedoms and liberty are violated on huge scales,” reminded me of an edition of the CBS News program “60 Minutes” which focused on the plight of Iraqi Christians. In that program, the vicar of an Iraqi church stated, “When religion goes wrong, it kills others.” The problem is not religion in itself; it’s when religion is used to justify the loss and abandonment of common sense principles like tolerance, acceptance, or peace.

Of course there are major differences among people in this world – and especially among religions. However, as Pope Benedict XVI reminded us, whenever we are discussing different points of view we must never forget the rights of individuals because human rights have a basis in natural law.

Natural law does not refer to the scientific laws or to the laws of the universe. The concept of natural law discussed by such philosophers as Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke; has been cited as a component of the United State’s Declaration of Independence, which in turn was used in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, natural law is defined as “the rule and measure of human acts is the reason, which is the first principle of human acts.” (Aquinas, ST I-II, Q.90, A.I) This means that human beings are naturally rational creatures, and that it is morally appropriate that they should behave in a way that reflects their rational nature.

Natural law, by definition, is valid everywhere – which is why I firmly believe that the “promotion of human rights is the most effective strategy for overcoming differences,” as the Pope reiterated on April 18th; and that “a vision of life deeply rooted in religion can help this.” Natural law, and subsequently the UNDHR, reflects an unchanging moral consensus that reinforces our social contract. It is a universal concept based on the reason that exists in every man’s heart.

Our collective society has recognized human rights as universal, and these rights can be interpreted and strengthened through religion. However, in the application of religion to human rights and vice versa, we must be careful to not allow ‘religion to go wrong,’ as the Iraqi vicar stated. Lyndon Harris, an Episcopal priest who was in charge of St. Paul’s chapel (which stood in the shadow of the twin towers in New York City) explained ‘when religion goes wrong’ this way: “God gave us free will, and some people choose to do evil. But the first heart to break on 9/11 was the heart of God.”

We all must emphasize the basic principles of tolerance, respect, and freedom that are in fact in all religions. It takes hope – and faith – to accomplish this.

When UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was introducing Pope Benedict XVI, he stated: “Peace is based on the respect of rights for all. Whether we worship one God, many, or none; our faith needs to be strengthened in order to work together.”

Let’s all keep the faith in trying to continue to work together to achieve our common goals.