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Reverence for Human Life

Reverence for Human Life. Defined. Sacred gift to be cared for until its natural end Calls us to care for all human life from its beginning to its end. Jesus as a model. Always had a reverence for human life Garden of Gethsemane. Catholic view. Defend life

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Reverence for Human Life

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  1. Reverence for Human Life

  2. Defined • Sacred gift to be cared for until its natural end • Calls us to care for all human life from its beginning to its end

  3. Jesus as a model • Always had a reverence for human life • Garden of Gethsemane

  4. Catholic view • Defend life • “It is impossible to further the common good without defending the right to life” (Pope John Paul II) • “God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end” (CCC)

  5. Issues • Abortion • Stem Cell Research • The Death Penalty • Euthanasia • War

  6. Abortion Defined: • Medical technique whereby an unborn fetus is terminated History • 1973 – Roe v. Wade • 1992 – Casey v. Planned Parenthood • 2007 – Gonzalez v. Carhart

  7. Abortion facts • 1.3 million abortions occur each year in the U.S. • Most are between the ages of 15-24 • U. S. teens have abortions more than twice the rate of their peers in Europe

  8. Abortion views Pro-Life: • Abortions are wrong and should not be an option Pro-Choice: • A woman should have the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion Church’s view: • Life begins at conception and therefore an abortion is murder

  9. Stem Cell Research • Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body (NIH.gov)

  10. Stem Cell Research Pros: • Could possibly cure diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis Cons: • Some cells (embryonic cells) require that a human embryo be destroyed in order to extract the right cells

  11. Church on stem cells • Embryonic stem cells should not be used but “adult stem cells represent a more reasonable and human method for making correct progress.” DECLARATION ON THE PRODUCTION AND THE SCIENTIFIC AND THERAPEUTIC USE OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

  12. Euthanasia A specific act done intentionally to directly cause death in a patient • Comes from the Greek term meaning “good death”

  13. Active Euthanasia Putting a person to death through administering a lethal dose of medication

  14. Passive Euthanasia Putting a person to death by not doing something to prevent death • Ex: Not providing medication or treatment

  15. Church’s view Not morally acceptable to take a life in order to relieve suffering Treatments • Must be proportionate (the benefits from the treatment must be ≥ the pain from the treatment) • Pain killers should be used with the intention of easing pain

  16. Living Wills & DNRs • Do Not Resuscitate: If the patient is in a vegetative state, life support is not allowed • Church’s view: Morally acceptable • A respect for life means granting a natural end

  17. Death Penalty • The intentional taking of a life as punishment for a crime • Throughout history it has existed in almost every culture

  18. U.S. Death Penalty Facts • Over 900 completed executions since 1976 • Over 3,700 remain on death row • Outlawed by 12 states plus D.C. • Supported by every president • 79% of Americans support the D.P. • One death penalty costs an average of $2.3 million, about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a maximum security prison for 40 years

  19. Church’s view • Condemns the use of the D.P.

  20. Just War Theory • A set of criteria used to determine if a war is just • First established by Augustine

  21. Requirements • It must be declared by a legitimate authority. • It must be waged in the face of a grave injustice. • It must be a last resort.

  22. Requirements • The actions must be proportional. • There must be some assurance of success. • It must cease when justice and fair terms for peace are secured.

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