Religion and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
"Our common voice resounds despite differences in our traditions, our practices, our beliefs, and despite our inadequacies. Our religious traditions summon us to regard the child as more than a legal entity. The sacredness of life compels us to be a voice of conscience. We speak hereby to heads of state and government, to the United Nations, to our religious communities and to all, throughout the world, who have held a child in love, with joy for its life, with tears for its pain."*
Religions have at their core a commitment to alleviating the suffering of the countless numbers of disadvantaged people around the world. Members of these traditions understand that they have a moral obligation to assist those in need in whatever way they can, as this basic tenet has been passed down to them through the generations. Due to their nature, children in particular are in need of additional protection, a point made clear in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Religious communities see not only the necessity but the value of protecting children's rights to allow them to grow up into healthy, ethical, and spiritual adults. They recognize that children are the future of their families, the future of their respective faiths, and the future of humanity.
*An excerpt from the declaration created at the Conference on the World's
Religions for the World's Children, organized by UNICEF
and the World Conference
on Religion and Peace, held in Princeton, New Jersey in 1990.
"“We condemn the social disarray of the nations; the disregard for justice which pushes citizens to the margin; the anarchy overtaking our communities; and the insane death of children from violence....We consider humankind our family. We must strive to be kind and generous. We must not live for ourselves alone, but should also serve others, never forgetting the children, the aged, the poor, the suffering, the disabled, the refugees, and the lonely. No person should ever be considered or treated as a second-class citizen, or be exploited in any way whatsoever.”
The Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) is a network of religious communities dedicated specifically to protecting children's rights and working to improve the lives of children worldwide. With representatives from all the major world religions, GNRC seeks to put the teachings of these religions into practice by securing for all children the rights of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Wondering What Some of Religions for Peace's Member Communities Have to Say about Children's Rights?
“We
work to raise awareness of the rights of children and the many
ways that those rights are violated. We are deeply involved with
the UN’s Special Session on Children, and work to counteract
the movement of the religious right in opposition to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC).”
“Although
America is the “Land of Plenty”, there is no lack
of poverty, no shortage of people who are hungry. Recent reports
show that one in five children in the US go to bed hungry, while
the ranks of the poor continue to grow: single mothers, immigrants,
the elderly, and the working poor. In 2005, it is estimated that
more than 36 percent of those served by food pantries, soup kitchens,
and shelters were children. A universally compassionate faith,
Islam teaches us that there is no distinction between a hungry
Muslim or a hungry non-Muslim. A person who is suffering here
in America is just as deserving as someone who is in distress
elsewhere.”
“Children's
rights are human rights. United Methodists worldwide must continue
to urge their governments to implement the convention, and for
the United States to ratify it.”
“AJC
believes that there must be a rededication to public education
on the national, state, community, and family levels, so that
the public schools can fulfill their promise as democratic institutions
and launching pads of opportunity for all children. Schools and
communities must provide all students, including minority, immigrant,
and economically disadvantaged children, with effective schooling,
extra educational help, and support systems necessary to meet
the educational standards demanded by today's society.”
The following members of Religions for Peace - USA attended the UN Special Session of the General Assembly on Children (2002): •
American Jewish Committee
The following members of Religions for Peace - USA are also members of the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN): •
Friends World
Committee for Consultation (Quakers)
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Rendering help to another is the function of all human beings. Tattvarthasutra 5.21
Islam A man once asked the Prophet what was the best thing in Islam, and the latter replied, "It is to feed the hungry and to give the greeting of peace both to those one knows and to those one does not know." Hadith of Bukhari
Confucianism ...treat your own young in a manner befitting their tender age and extend this to the young of other families, and you can roll the empire on your palm. Mencius I.A.7
Judaism When the Holy One loves a man, He sends him a present in the shape of a poor man, so that he should perform some good deed to him, through the merit of which he may draw to himself a cord of grace.
Zohar, Genesis 104a
Hinduism What
sort of religion can it be Basavanna, Vacana 247
Christianity Don’t
let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith
and in purity.
Shinto Be charitable to all beings, love is the representative of God. Ko-ji-ki Hachiman Kasuga
Native American See to it that whoever enters your house obtains something to eat, however little you may have. Such food will be a source of death to you if you withhold it. A Winnebago Father’s Precepts
Taoism Relieve people in distress as speedily as you must release a fish from a dry rill [lest he die]. Deliver people from danger as quickly as you must free a sparrow from a tight noose. Be compassionate to orphans and relieve widows. Respect the old and help the poor. Tract of the Quiet Way
Sikhism The
father instructs and slights, but again hugs him to his bosom.
Buddhism As a mother with her own life guards the life of her own child, let all-embracing thoughts for all that lives be thine. Khuddaka Patha, Metta Sutta
Zoroastrianism …May
peace triumph over discord, Yasna 60.5
Bahá’í Faith When love is realized and the ideal spiritual bonds unite the hearts of men, the whole human race will be uplifted, the world will continually grow more spiritual and radiant, and the happiness and tranquillity of mankind be immeasurably increased. Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace |
