The Christian claim for universal human rights in relation to natural law

Two perspectives

Abstract

In this article the author analyzes and compares two contrary perspectives on the role of natural moral law in Christian ethics, especially in Christian public claims for universally valid moral principles and values such as those underlying the concept of universal human rights and the corresponding notion of religious freedom. The first perspective under consideration is presented in the published works of the Czech Christian human rights activist and defender of religious freedom Božena Komárková, the second perspective is presented in the writings of the American Reformed theologian Thomas K. Johnson.