Life and Dignity of the Human Person - Report Example

Life and Dignity of the Human Person Introduction The Catholic Church has an evident opinion on the life and dignity of the human person, which is deeply embedded in the catholic teachings and derived from scriptural evidence. The Catholic Church views human life as highly sacred and has the conviction that there should be no compromise for human dignity. This is because a person’s dignity defines the societal moral foundation. All the principles of the Catholic Church social teachings have their basis for the foundation that the life of human beings is sacred and that each individual has an entitlement to dignity. The Catholic Church recognizes the fact that certain social problems existing in the modern society and that these problems challenge the life and dignity of human beings. Some of these issues include the prevalence of abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, genetic cloning, as well as death penalty. Despite the prevalence of these social problems as well as scientific advances that have constantly threatened the value attached to human life, the Catholic Church has remained highly vocal in its efforts to protect the life and dignity of human beings. Although the world has been adopting the emerging technologies that threaten human life, the Catholic Church has avoided swaying from the scriptural evidence that motivates it to protect the life and dignity of human beings. In the recent years, war and terrorism has become a common aspect in different parts of the globe. The Catholic Church has been urging people to refrain from violent activities and promote peace. This paper will discuss the application of the life and dignity of the human person principle in modern day life and highlight some of the social problems that have been challenging this principle. A reflection of what I have learned about the Principle I have become familiar with the principle of life and dignity of the human person, which has been described in this course in detail. From this course, I learned that human beings deserve a dignity because they are the only creatures who exhibit the image of God. In accordance with the first chapter of genesis, and verses 26 to 31, human beings were created in God’s image. The fact that all the other animals did not have the privilege of taking the image of God shows that human beings have a special place before God. Therefore, human beings should strive to view fellow humans the way God views them as special creatures. God does not discriminate or exhibit a class structure when viewing human beings. On the contrary, He extends His hand of care to orphans, widows, and even strangers (Gohn 72). This is unlike the views of many people in the world. Therefore, it is only prudent for human beings to adopt God’s view towards others and accord them the dignity they deserve while respecting their lives (Windley-Daoust 65). This course helped me appreciate the fact that God knows each individual intimately from conception and throughout the person’s life. As human beings, we are unable to see an infant in the mother’s womb. However, Psalms 139:13-16 indicates that God recognizes unborn children as human beings. This view is of critical importance in the modern world where abortion has become a common practice. Many proponents of this practice opine that unborn babies do not qualify as human beings and view them as a mass of cells. This course introduces a new thinking that appreciates the life of unborn children (Windley-Daoust 140). This life deserves protection and dignity as well. More importantly, this principle helped me realize that before the creator, all the lives are equal. This means that the life of an unborn baby, three days after conception is equal to the life of an adult before God. Recognizing the value of God’s view was of critical importance because it served as a guideline that helped me to view the entire individual as equal, just as God views them (Gohn 73). Notably, appreciating the equality of life made me take a strong stand against abortion commonly practiced in the modern world. Prior to undertaking this course, I reasoned that the mother had the freedom to decide whether to keep a baby or to abort. However, this principle has revealed that it is not in the power of the mother to take another individual’s life. The unborn baby deserves a chance to live life just as the rest of the human beings. One of the commonly acknowledged commandment states that nobody should commit murder (Windley-Daoust 173). This commandment is of critical significance in support of the principle of life and dignity of the human person. This is because the commandment forbids anyone from taking another person’s life. The positive connotations of this commandment translate to the fact that all human life deserves respect as well as dignity. Therefore, nobody should have the courage to take another person’s life, but each should be focused on protecting the life of others (218). The modern world has exhibited its commitment to hate each other. There are religious and political groups that focus on building enmities. These enmities have resulted to the evident terrorism existent in the world today. Terror attacks have been harming innocent people, especially defenseless people such as women and children. These acts have demonstrated that many people do not exhibit the respect for life. The Catholic Church has come out to condemn such terror attacks. This is in accordance with what has been covered in this course making it evident that the Catholic Church believes that people should love one another and promote peace. This principle has opened my mind to new perspectives, especially concerning terror attacks and nations at war (Windley-Daoust 48). Although many warring nations claim to have good reasons for triggering the war, a better solution for their conflicts seems to be proper dialogue that promotes peace. Romans 12: 9-18, which were considered in this course laid emphasis on the fact that nations should love one another and promote peace. Therefore, there is no need for war in the world. Activities that promote war only exhibit people’s disregard for human life and human dignity. This is against the Catholic Church’s teachings, which urges people to refrain from war and respect human life (Gohn 72). The principle of life and the dignity of the human person is applicable in determining the relevance of modern genetic procedures. The stem cell research as well as advancements in cloning has exhibited the potential of human beings to create clones of existing genotypes. This means that scientists have taken upon themselves to “create” individuals in their laboratories. This challenges human life as being sanctity of human life as created by God. The understanding of the principle of the right to life and dignity of the human person helped me to reflect on the ethical perspectives of the stem cell research and cloning advances. Without doubt, scientists have gone overboard and they show minimal respect for the sanctity of life. The Catholic Church has remained highly vocal in enlightening people on the need to view human life as unique and precious and accord it the respect and dignity it deserves (Windley-Daoust 219). Abortion as a Contemporary Social Issue that Impacts the Principle of Life and the Dignity of the Human Person As highlighted above, abortion is one of the issues that has attracted a heated debate in the modern society. This is because pro-choice proponents have given women the conviction that they can choose whether to terminate a pregnancy or whether to keep the baby. There is an increasing rate of adolescents and young people indulging in sexual activity resulting in unwanted pregnancies. These young women face a dilemma in the modern society because of the conviction that they have a right to choose whether they will give the unborn baby a chance or whether they will simply terminate the pregnancy. Many young women believe that they lack the required resources to bring up a baby. Therefore, in order to get an opportunity to pursue education and their careers, abortion becomes the best choice for them. The Catholic Church has maintained its stand that abortion is wrong. This is because abortion involves the termination of life in its early stages (Windley-Daoust 220). The church has not been confused by scientists who argue that the early stages only represent a mass of cells. The Catholic Church recognizes that human life begins to exist immediately after conception. Worth noting is the fact that conception involves the fusion of the male and the female eggs. This means that the excuse used by scientists and many people in the modern society that abortion is justifiable has no basis. In accordance with scientific evidence, the Catholic Church does recognize that the fertilized egg already contains all the genetic instructions required for the existence of a human being. In God’s view, the fertilized egg qualifies as human life which is equal to the life of an adult. The fact that God has known each individual from conception means that He views the genetic constitution of a fertilized egg as a complete life. Therefore, such life deserves the dignity accorded to other human beings. This is because it is precious before the creator, and has unique characteristics. The practice of abortion denies the unborn children the right to life. The Catholic Church views innocent unborn children as victims of human violence through abortion. The fact that an unborn child exhibits a high level of defenselessness as well as fragility only serves to make it worse for those perpetrating different forms of violence through the various abortion procedures. Without doubt, the unborn babies have an undisputed right to life. Therefore, they deserve protection and respect in all senses. The Catholic Church considers abortion as an immoral act that does not give regard to the sanctity of life and the individual chooses to deny the unborn baby the right to life (Gohn 73). Although the world chooses to use different terms in reference to abortion, in an effort to conceal its critical consequences, the Catholic Church maintains its clear view that abortion is a deliberate termination of human life and does not deserve a place in the society. Some countries with a strong Catholic tradition have considered abortion as an illegal process, which denies unborn babies their right to life. In such countries, legal requirements compel mothers to protect the rights of unborn children. Such governments have a constitution that forbids abortion, hence protecting the lives of the mothers and unborn babies. The church is against the argument that unborn babies are lesser human beings because of their immature moral status. The commandment that forbids killing does not differentiate individuals according to either age or moral status. Therefore, the church makes it clear that abortion qualifies as direct murder. The church has made evident that the legalization of abortion is a depiction of the high levels of immorality in the society. The Catholic Church is also against the view that women who became pregnant rape have the justification to carry out abortions. The church highlights that the unborn child is innocent and should not be blamed and ripped off the right to life and dignity because of the errors of others (Windley-Daoust 222). Application of the Principle of Life in Addressing the Issue of Abortion After gaining a proper understanding of the principle of life and dignity of the human person, I have a different perspective towards abortion. As an individual, I recognize that abortion is morally wrong. This is in accordance to the principle learned which has its basis in the scriptures. I purpose to view life as sacred and precious as God views it, just as the church advocates. I understand that human life begins immediately after conception and that the fertilized egg should be regarded as human life with respect and dignity. Such precious life of a defenseless innocent baby deserves protection. Therefore, I take a stand against abortion. I have the determination to support the pro-life debate which places emphasis on the fact that the unborn child has a right to life. Such a child deserves protection in all senses and needs to be treated with the highest level of dignity (Windley-Daoust 223). In my ministry, I intend to spread the teachings based on the principle of life and dignity of the human person in an effort to highlight why abortion is wrong. I realize that many people have acted out of ignorance and confusion from the supporters of abortion. These individuals need help in understanding how the life of an unborn child is sacred and precious before God. They should view such babies in a similar manner. The Catholic Church advocates for the development of attitudes and views that conform to scriptural guidelines. The scriptures are very clear on this issue that God views unborn babies as equal to adults. Therefore, I will help the people I meet in my ministry realize that life is sacred and that the sanctity of life does not depend on the age of the person. I will help them appreciate the life of unborn babies and see how defenseless they are. This will motivate a change of heart in them so that they can begin to realize that unborn babies have a right to life and deserve proper dignity. Nobody has the authority to take their lives because it is against God’s commandments to commit murder. My main focus I the ministry will be young women who face the pressure to carry out abortions in order to get rid of unwanted pregnancies. I will help them to understand that there are better moral choices that do not contravene the principle of the right to life and dignity of the human person (Gohn 73). I will help them be able to appreciate the sanctity of life of unborn babies and the seriousness of the issue before God This is because the teachings of the Catholic Church have the purpose of transforming people so that they can make moral decisions that conform to biblical teachings (Windley-Daoust 218). Since abortion is becoming more prevalent in many communities, I will make efforts of addressing this issue in my community. I will help the members of the community understand the biblical teachings on the sanctity of life. I will help them understand the application of the commandment that one must not kill. This is because many communities apply the commandment selectively. The community needs to understand that abortion is morally wrong and that there are better ways of handling the issue of early pregnancies in teenagers and young adults other than abortion. I will educate them on the alternatives that promote the sanctity of life and give the unborn babies a chance to exercise their right to life. It is important for communities to understand how the principle of life and dignity of the human person can provide guidelines regarding the issues of abortion (Windley-Daoust 223). The same principle can help communities push for policies and constitution amendments that consider abortion illegal. Conclusion Evidently, the course has helped me gain familiarity with different themes of the Catholic Church social teachings. One of the critical principles regards the life and dignity of the human person. Understanding this principle has changed my perspectives towards different issues. I have realized that life is sacred and pure and precious before the creator. Our actions should exhibit a similar view to that of the creator. The issue of abortion discussed in this paper is one of the practices that have been threatening the lives of unborn babies. In my view, unborn babies deserve a chance and nobody should terminate their lives. According to the Catholic teachings’ based on biblical teachings, abortion represents a form of premeditated murder. In the future, I will use this knowledge to help others appreciate the sanctity of life. Work Cited Gohn, Pat. "True Human Dignity Means Respect for All Human Life." Catholic Digest (2014): 72-73. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 23 Jan. 2015. Windley-Daoust, Jerry. Primary Source Readings in Catholic Social Justice. Winona, MN: Saint Marys Press, 2007. Print. Read More