Fourteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Within certain circles, the juxtaposition of “religion” and “human rights” often emerges as a dichotomy. Activists championing women’s rights, LGBTQ+ concerns, and related causes frequently perceive organized faith communities and their leaders as integral components of the problem, seldom contributing to viable solutions. This perspective, however, overlooks potential avenues for collaboration that exist or could emerge. In Western Christian religious circles, there is a prevalent apprehension toward postmodern and postmaterialistic progressive movements, viewing them as threats aiming to secularize and diminish God’s role as the sovereign authority over moral-ethical values. Concurrently, a liberal standpoint contends that religion itself impedes the full realization of rights for sexual and gender minorities within the Western socio-political landscape. This research navigates this dialectical discourse, exploring the divergent opinions entrenched in this complex interplay. The conflict at hand is framed, in part, as a theistic versus atheistic contention. Some argue for human autonomy as the exclusive legitimate source of sovereign law creation, while others posit that God holds this supreme authority. This research seeks to unravel these philosophical strands, shedding light on the nuanced interrelation between religious convictions, socio-political ideologies, and the discourse surrounding human rights, thereby fostering a more comprehensive understanding of these multifaceted dynamics.