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THE FIRST WORD: TO BE HUMAN IS TO BE FREE

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2016

Desmond M. Tutu
Desmond M. Tutu*
Affiliation:
Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
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Abstract

In this essay, Archbishop Tutu explains how Christianity understands the inherent freedom, dignity, and human rights of each person to be a consequence of being created in the image of God. This idea contains radical liberative potential to challenge oppression and create structures for human flourishing. While Christianity has not always lived up to the liberative potential of its teachings, and too often has contributed to hatred, oppression, and violence, Archbishop Tutu argues, the power of religious voices remains essential in the struggle against oppression and for the protection of human dignity.

Keywords

Biblehuman rightsfreedomdignity
Type
SYMPOSIUM: CHRISTIANITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Information
Journal of Law and Religion , Volume 30 , Issue 3 , October 2015 , pp. 386 - 390
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010. Reprinted by permission of the publisher; all rights reserved. 

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