This book, coordinated by Jane F. Adolphe & Ronald J. Rychlak, The Persecution and Genocide of Christians in the Middle East, is deeply connected to natural law: the book exposes violations of fundamental moral principles that are considered inherent to human dignity. Natural law theory holds that certain rights—such as the right to life, freedom of conscience, and religious liberty—are universal and not dependent on positive law or state recognition. The book documents how Christian communities have been subjected to murder, forced conversion, sexual slavery, and displacement, particularly under groups like ISIS . These acts clearly contradict the basic moral order that natural law seeks to protect, highlighting a stark gap between what ought to be (universal justice) and what is (systematic persecution).
The book bridges natural law and human rights by appealing to a universal moral conscience that transcends cultural and political boundaries. It portrays the persecution of Christians not merely as a regional or religious issue, but as a global ethical crisis that demands legal, humanitarian, and political action. By emphasizing the inherent dignity of victims and the urgency of justice, the text reflects the core idea that human rights originate in the intrinsic worth of every person. In this sense, the book serves as both a legal and moral call to uphold natural law values through concrete human rights protections in the international community.