If I asked ten different people the question “what would a perfect world look like” there would be ten different responses. A perfect world is determined by the lens an individual is looking through. What creates a perception (lens) is one’s values, principles, and influences such as religion or philosophy. In essence, everyone is striving to create a perfect world and that explains why there is so much chaos in the world because everyone’s perception of a perfect world is different than someone else. In other words, a perfect world for me may not be a perfect world for you.

The question becomes – is there a bridge that can be constructed to span the distance between these different perceptions that would produce peace in the struggle to achieve? Instead of warring against each other’s system – is it possible for mankind to co-exist with one common denominator? I believe there is!

Every religious system, every philosophical system, has a common principle that is shared without fail around the world. If we can lay down our debating swords long enough, and excavate back to our first principles of faith, philosophy, and national constitutions, then we have a chance for this to become a reality. We could investigate every constitution of the 193 countries that are members of the United Nations to find this commonality. However, we only need to look at the UN Charter on Human Rights to see what is agreed upon by all. The truth is, that each person has a right of choice within the bounds of law, and a person’s free-will should always be respected. People should not be forced into religion or a national suppression of rights that every person is entitled to.

The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN’s founding Charter, making the promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the Organization.  In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into the realm of international law.  Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities.

Look at Article One of the Human Rights Charter of the United Nations that all 193 nations agreed to.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

What is meant by acting towards one another in the spirit of brotherhood? It simply means I am to treat my fellowman as if he was my family. I will show my brother more respect than I may show someone of another family. As human-beings, we are all one family. If I treat others as I want to be treated then I am obeying the first article of the UN Charter on Human Rights.

I may not agree with you, but you have a right to be different than me. What if we all liked the color of blue. There would be no diversity which means it would be a boring blue world! Charles Evan Hughes said “When we lose the right to be different, we lose the privilege to be free.” Freedom is the byproduct of the upholding of human rights.

What’s a perfect world look like? Where everyone is treated the way they would want to be treated. This comes from a common denominator the whole world can agree on that every person should be valued enough to be seen as my equal. In reality, it’s not who determines a perfect world but what determines it – the Golden Rule!

 Make it a practice to treat people as free, not slaves, as human-beings, not inanimate objects, as having rights, not pawns to control, as an opportunity to help them succeed, not an enemy to be destroyed.

Quotes

The location where I live, my religious affiliation, and my skin color, should not be the determining factor on whether I live or die. – Dr. Reuben Egolf

“Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights and keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory.”

― Franklin D. Roosevelt