The Individual or the community, or Both ?
Individual, according to a popular notion, is the hallmark of Protestantism. Such slogans as “the private interpretation of the Bible” or “a man and his God” reinforce this ideal. The passing ideal of “the rugged individualist” has often been equated with the true Protestant. Having this understanding, one who reads the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights might readily assume that it is a very Protestant document. Nearly all the thirty specific articles employ the singular subject and verb. “Everyone” has rights. “No one” shall be deprived of these rights. In the case of parents and family in Article 16, of course, the plural has to be used. Otherwise, the Declaration appears to be entirely individualistic.