Faith Series, Episode 115

THE SACREDNESS OF HUMAN LIFE – PART III

 

These are some of the practices that negates the teachings on the sacredness of human life:

1. Abortion 
2. Euthanasia
3. Violence
4. Cloning and embryonic stem cell research
5. Addictions and chemical dependency
6. Collateral damage

 

 

Abortion

Abortion is an operation carried out to remove a growing foetus from its mother’s womb for destruction. There are many points to be marshalled against abortion. First, the unborn child is a separate human being, and not just a part of the mother’s body to be excised. By letting women have abortion, society is taking the easy way out of its problems, instead of creating a society where no child is unwanted. Indeed, everyone is precious because God created man in his own image, whether male or female (Genesis 1:26-27). It is the Christian’s responsibility to carry this precious gift and protect it.

 

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is defined as the act or practice of mercifully killing, or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals, although, in a relatively painless way. It is carried out by either giving the person a lethal injection, or the suspension of medical treatment, etc. The Encarta Encyclopaedia defines it as the practice of mercifully ending a person’s life in order to release the person from incurable disease, intolerable suffering, or undignified death. Euthanasia is a Greek word, which means ‘Good Death’. The practice has begun to spread, even in Nigeria, and the moral imperative is upon us to protect life from conception to natural death. Consequently, both abortion and euthanasia are the un-natural killing of persons, old, young and unborn, because they are purposely inflicted upon the victim. Both involve a choice made by either the person themselves or a relative in the case of euthanasia; or by the parent in the case of abortion.

 

Violence

The World Health Organization has revealed that each year more than a million people lose their lives and many more suffer non-fatal injuries as a result of self-inflicted, inter-personal or collective violence. On the whole, violence has been observed among the leading causes of death worldwide, especially from ages 15-45 years.

Various forms of violence recognized are human right issues, torture, trafficking, violence against women, violence against children, risk factors that comes up with multiple types of violence will include poverty, unemployment, gender inequality, racial discrimination etc. violence apart from death consequences, causes depression, anxiety and other mental disorder.

 

Cloning and Embryonic stem cell Research

The value of human life is being threatened by cloning and embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. Through these research endeavours, lots of cells that are the building block of human life are destroyed. If life begins at conception, we must also frown at such experimentation.

 

Addictions and Chemical Dependency

The Church has always preached moderation. Today, however, many people are addicted to various things, including drugs, alcohol, heroin, marijuana, etc. This contradictory to life because addiction to these items does not enhance the quality of life, but does destroy it gradually, until the victim is no longer able to live a meaningful life.

 

Collateral Damage

Many poor people are often exposed to the danger of firepower during war or terrorist attacks, which often results in avoidable deaths. Sometimes, there is the intentional targeting of civilians, which is always wrong. The language is also often very offensive, as human beings are seen or referred to as collateral damage, which cheapens life and is contrary to the culture of life that we must protect. Catholic teaching calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by increasingly finding effective ways to prevent conflict, or resolve them by peaceful means. It is believed that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.