Applying the Dignity of Human Life

It is in the practical and concrete application of ethics and morals that we run in to trouble.  For example, we may believe that we need to recognize the value of every human being, but how exactly to manifest this in our day to day activities is another matter altogether. How do we give value to the life of a pedophile, rapist, murderer, or specific people like Stalin, Mao, or Hitler?

We must first recognize that we are having a problem reconciling the two opinions.  What usually happens is that we can agree in the case of a general rule, i.e. that we are made in the image of God and that we need to respect human life.  But when it comes to the specific, we have difficulties applying this rule.  One needs first to clarify their belief in the original moral statement.  Then we compare and rationally understand how this applies to the group or individual we feel compelled to exclude.  This may need some soul searching and even a humble admittance that we too have the potential to become that which we most abhor.

Let us look at the dignity of a human life.  As we have advanced in a materialistic world that has examined things in more depth, we have discovered that the world is bigger than we imagined.  The world and our knowledge of the solar system has expanded out into the galaxy, universe, and multiverse.  In examining the makeup of materials, we have delved into the depths of atoms to discover smaller and smaller particles with attributes that can lead one to question the very fabric of reality.  In all of this it has caused us to shrink away in fear and become lost with a feeling of insignificance.  We have forgotten that we are a being made in the image of God.  That each individual is bigger than the universe and that all of us, those that have been, those that are, and those that will be, are all part of one body with Christ as the head.  This gives us a very noble sense of being.  The great value of an individual and of the community (body) in which we are a part.  When we understand this, we are able to look at our neighbor, the stranger, our enemy, and see that they are truly someone special.  Someone whom God loves.  This is not an easy concept to grasp.  It is actually a mystery in the sense that we will continually discover additional layers of depth as we explore into it. 

I have a friend whose daughter was brutally raped and murdered.  She eventually came to confront and understand that this was a real person who committed this atrocious act.  A human being even though his actions were monstrous.  Through a long period that involved prayer, soul searching, conversations with God, and many talks describing her feelings and the experience, she came to a reconciliation and an acceptance with the individual and wished him to have peace and a relationship with God.  She whole heartedly condemned his action and yet was able to understand there is something more to each individual than we will ever know.  Now this is an extreme situation.  But it is in the extremes that we can really test out and explore our beliefs. 

“You have heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thy enemy. But I say to you: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute and calumniate you” (Matt. 5:43-44).  These words from Jesus are often hard to swallow.  The best advice I can give is to attempt to see what my enemy and I have in common.  God loves both of us.  We are both sinners.  We were both born of woman and also made in the image of God.  Somewhere along the way, we made different choices.  Who am I to say that if I was in the same situation as my enemy throughout his whole life of experiences that I would be different?  Even if I know every particular instance in his life, I would not know what was in his mind and heart.  What temptations, trials, and stumbling blocks were placed in his path?  I can only judge from my perspective, which is very incomplete and inadequate to judge another.  I must trust in God to perform this judgement with justice and mercy, just as I myself would like to be judged.

In loving every person this does not mean that we can accept their actions.  We can and should hate and condemn actions that a person commits that are destructive, chaotic, and evil.  But it is in the separation of the action from the person that we are concerned.  How do we help the person, love the person, and help them see the error of their ways?  By attempting to understand how God sees all of us.  We do this with love, a love that has its source in God’s love for us.