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Research[Have you done any research that you would like to share?] Why research human rights? Because human rights in our time are necessary social conditions for human dignity. Why research religion and human rights? Because religion either strengthens or weakens human rights. Why bother with research? Because often the relationship between religion and human rights is not what it seems to be. Many human rights advocates see religion as a barrier to the enforcement of human rights law, because religious leaders claim a higher authority than the law for their teachings and so may well claim to be "above the law". Moreover, statements by religious leaders in support of human rights cannot simply be taken at face value as representing the view of their religion, for every religious tradition includes diverse views of human rights. Moreover, every religious community has violated the human rights of its members, at some time or another, and in many instances has sought to justify such violations as God's will or as necessary for spiritual growth. But human beings, not religions, violate human rights through their activities in religious traditions and religious institutions. Therefore, research on religion and human rights is a form of self-reflection. Only greater self-knowledge will lead to realization of the social conditions for human dignity. All those who are doing research on religion and human rights are invited to submit papers for publication. Visitors to this site are invited to write reviews of the papers published here, and these may also be posted. "Religion" in US Law (Robert Traer, 1997) A brief look at the language about religion in several key Supreme Court decisions. "Religion" in International Law (Robert Traer, 1996) An overview of the use of "religion" in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "Faith in Human Rights" in International Law (Robert Traer, 1997) What some have called a "secular faith" is affirmed in UN human rights instruments and elsewhere. Proselytism and International Law (Robert Traer, 1995) The Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches distinguish proselytism from witnessing in a way that is not supported by international law. Human Rights - An Earth Community? (Robert Traer, 1995) Argument at the Values Caucus of the UN in favor of human rights language and the metaphor of "an earth community." Religious NGOs at the UN: 1945 & 1995 (Robert Traer, 1995) A critical look at the role of religious NGOs at the beginning of the UN and fifty years later. [Have you done any research that you would like to share?]
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