Does Human Rights Need God? (Eerdmans Religion, Ethics, and Public Life)

With human rights issues so often in the public view today, it is surprising how seldom the underpinnings of human rights are discussed. In this book leading scholars, activists, and officials dare to openly discuss the "why" of human rights.

Appraising the current situation from diverse religious perspectives — Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Confucian, and secular humanist — the contributors address the question of what God might add to the human rights equation. Despite the authors' widely varying commitments, their dialogue demonstrates that an investigation into the "why" of human rights need not descend into irreconcilable conflict.

Contributors: Khaled Abou El Fadl, Barbra Barnett, Elizabeth M. Bucar, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Robert P. George, Vigen Guroian, Louis Henkin, Courtney W. Howland, David Novak, Sari Nusseibeh, Martin Palou?, Robert A. Seiple, Max L. Stackhouse, Charles Villa-Vicencio, Anthony C. Yu