The idea of rights as creations of man begs the question of how any of our present rights came to exist in the first place, especially considering the sentiments expressed elsewhere in this thread--that is, "might makes right" and that states are just more powerful criminal gangs. On the other hand, the idea of man's rights being endowed by their Creator implies that these self-evident rights are based on the nature of an all-loving creator God and are bestowed on mankind by God. Although such a view may be residue of the influence of Christendom on society and law, it's hard to find a more cogent argument for human rights. At least I haven't heard any compelling secular arguments for their existence.