The Orthodox concept of human rights was approved at the Council of Bishops

The Council of Bishops of the Moscow Patriarchate unanimously approved the "Fundamentals of the teaching of the Russian Church on dignity, freedom and human rights," Interfax reports .

This document reveals the main provisions of the Christian doctrine of man and evaluates the theory of human rights and its implementation in life.

"In a situation where public and state structures can force, and often already force Christians to think and act contrary to God's commandments, which prevents the achievement of the most important goal in a person's life - getting rid of sin and gaining salvation, the Church is called to recall the basic provisions of the Christian doctrine about man and evaluate the theory of human rights and its implementation in life," the document says.

The authors of the document point to the "weakness of the institution of human rights", which, in their opinion, lies in the fact that, while protecting freedom of choice, this institution "less and less takes into account the moral dimension of life and freedom from sin."

Earlier, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus', speaking at the Council, expressed concern that, in the activities of many international organizations dealing with human rights, in his words, attempts to “separate them from moral restrictions”, to make human rights “an incentive for selfishness” are becoming more and more obvious. and pride."

"We testify: such freedom is slavery to sin, destructive for the individual and society," said the primate of the Russian Church.

At the same time, he stressed that "respect for human rights reflects the value of the human person, is designed to ensure the freedom, inviolability and development of each individual."

Sources

• Bishops' Council approved the Orthodox concept of human rights // Interfax-religion. 2008. June 26.
• Fundamentals of the teaching of the Russian Orthodox Church on dignity, freedom and human rights // Interfax-religion. 2008. June 26.