Among them were pantheism and the positions that human reason is the sole arbiter
of truth and falsehood and good and evil; that Christian faith contradicts reason; that Christ is a myth; that philosophy must be treated without reference to supernatural revelation; that every man is free to embrace the religion
which, guided by the light
of reason, he believes to be true; that Protestantism is another
form of the Christian religion in
which it is possible to be as pleasing to God as in the Catholic Church; that the civil power can determine the limits within
which the Catholic Church may
exercise authority; that Roman Pontiffs and Ecumenical Councils have erred in defining matters
of faith and morals; that the Church does not have direct or indirect temporal power or the right to invoke force; that in a conflict between Church and State the civil law should prevail; that the civil power has the right to appoint and depose bishops; that the entire direction
of public schools in
which the youth
of Christian states are educated must be by the civil power; that the Church should be separated from the State and the State from the Church; that moral laws do not need divine sanction; that it is permissible to rebel against legitimate princes; that a civil contract may among Christians constitute true marriage; that the Catholic religion should no longer be the religion
of the State to the exclusion
of all
other forms of worship; and «that the Roman Pontiff can and should reconcile himself to and agree with progress, liberalism and modern civilization.»
The General Assembly, Guided by the purposes and principles
of the Charter
of the United Nations, and good faith in the fulfilment
of the obligations assumed by States in accordance with the Charter, Affirming that indigenous peoples are equal to all
other peoples, while recognizing the right
of all peoples to be different, to consider themselves different, and to be respected as such, Affirming also that all peoples contribute to the diversity and richness
of civilizations and cultures,
which constitute the common heritage
of humankind, Affirming further that all doctrines, policies and practices based on or advocating superiority
of peoples or individuals on the basis
of national origin or racial, religious, ethnic or cultural differences are racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust, Reaffirming that indigenous peoples, in the
exercise of their rights, should be free from discrimination
of any kind, Concerned that indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result
of, inter alia, their colonization and dispossession
of their lands, territories and resources, thus preventing them from
exercising, in particular, their right to development in accordance with their own needs and interests, Recognizing the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights
of indigenous peoples
which derive from their political, economic and social structures and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources, Recognizing also the urgent need to respect and promote the rights
of indigenous peoples affirmed in treaties, agreements and
other constructive arrangements with States, Welcoming the fact that indigenous peoples are organizing themselves for political, economic, social and cultural enhancement and in order to bring to an end all
forms of discrimination and oppression wherever they occur, Convinced that control by indigenous peoples over developments affecting them and their lands, territories and resources will enable them to maintain and strengthen their institutions, cultures and traditions, and to promote their development in accordance with their aspirations and needs, Recognizing that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management
of the environment, Emphasizing the contribution
of the demilitarization
of the lands and territories
of indigenous peoples to peace, economic and social progress and development, understanding and friendly relations among nations and peoples
of the world, Recognizing in particular the right
of indigenous families and communities to retain shared responsibility for the upbringing, training, education and well - being
of their children, consistent with the rights
of the child, Considering that the rights affirmed in treaties, agreements and
other constructive arrangements between States and indigenous peoples are, in some situations, matters
of international concern, interest, responsibility and character, Considering also that treaties, agreements and
other constructive arrangements, and the relationship they represent, are the basis for a strengthened partnership between indigenous peoples and States, Acknowledging that the Charter
of the United Nations, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 2 as well as the Vienna Declaration and Programme
of Action, (3) affirm the fundamental importance
of the right to self - determination
of all peoples, by virtue
of which they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, Bearing in mind that nothing in this Declaration may be used to deny any peoples their right to self - determination,
exercised in conformity with international law, Convinced that the recognition
of the rights
of indigenous peoples in this Declaration will enhance harmonious and cooperative relations between the State and indigenous peoples, based on principles
of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, non-discrimination and good faith, Encouraging States to comply with and effectively implement all their obligations as they apply to indigenous peoples under international instruments, in particular those related to human rights, in consultation and cooperation with the peoples concerned,