AboutRichard Aberdeen Expertise Author and songwriter; owner of Freedom Tracks Records, Nashville, Tennessee. Published three books available online at www.RichardAberdeen.com Can answer questions regarding the difference between Christianity and the historical Jesus and the differences between Christianity and what the Bible actually says. Extensive background in the Bible and biblical historical cultures. Lifetime student of history, biography and general sciences. Major sources of study include Encyclopedia Britannica, the Bible, Will Durant and many different world and American historians.
Experience Hands on experience helping the homeless. Have done extensive research on Human and Civil Rights, major historical figures relating to such and how Human Rights relate to the modern American experience. Author of 3 books and over 75 released songs.
Organizations The Aberdeen Foundation www.AberdeenFoundation.org Freedom Tracks Records www.FreedomTracks.com Tennessee Songwriters Association www.tnsai.com
Publications Published Songs: www.FreedomTracks.com/songinfo.html
Published Books: www.RichardAberdeen.com
Currently writer for www.examiner.com
Education/Credentials Self-educated; Extensive studies in Bible, ancient history, American history, general sciences and related studies; main sources include Encyclopedia Britannica, Will Durant and many different world and American historians. Information available at: www.RichardAberdeen.com
Question what changes do you think need to take place in order to ensure a wider recognition of human rights?
Answer Many Human Rights activists consider this a loaded complex question, but the fundamental answer is really simple. The foundation of Human Rights is based on the famous statement made by Jesus of Nazareth: "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (i.e., sum of what matters). If everyone moved in this direction, there would be no lack of Human Rights on Planet Earth.
There are a few problems, however, that modern people need to overcome in order for them to view this solution and these problems center on pride.
a) We need to cease viewing Jesus as the founder of Christianity, which he would utterly hate and begin to view him historically correctly as being the founder of Human and Civil Rights. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the very few prominent Americans who appears to have understood this correctly, a real advancement over past and most present activists.
b) We need to ourselves move toward putting this concept into practice on a daily individual basis. Just as science has discovered regarding the physical world, every positive or negative social reaction also compounds into reciprocal reactions, both good and bad. The more we treat people with the same respect we would prefer for our own selves, the more they will likely not only treat us better but also, go on to treat other people better. Some activists argue that it is better to say that we should treat people as "they" would like to be treated. The problem with this concept is that it gives us no starting point, that is, we cannot treat others as they would like to be treated unless we first know them well enough to do so. Thus, the so-called "golden rule" that can be understood and applied by children and the uneducated as well as the educated, really cannot be improved upon.
c) And of course, the biggest problem is that we are unwilling to seek the help of Jesus to apply his teachings. Without God's help, human beings aren't likely to improve the planet and its war-weary inhabitants anytime soon. Of course, that doesn't mean that we individually should not try. Like Jesus pointed out, human beings behave very much like sheep--children are taught at an early age to be "tough", "critical" and "unforgiving" by the negative example adults provide for them. Likewise, many people, including bikers and bar people, have been inspired to help others because of the ongoing example of Jerry Lewis. It's hard to argue with the simplicity and accuracy of Jesus, who saw right through the human condition, from the inside out on up through the poor house to the White house and world court. People who don't understand that Jesus was highly political are people who don't understand him at all. He had a better method than most modern activists, who try to change systems instead of people. Systems are created by people, thus if human motivation is changed, then the systems humans create and the people we vote for or otherwise allow to rule us, will likewise, change.
