Respecting Human Dignity

Think of someone who has hurt you. Are you able to see any good in him or her? In a paragraph, explain the reason for your response.

Christian vision of justice: belief that all of God’s creation has goodness and dignity

Respect: ◦ Taking a second look◦ Look beyond outer appearances and see our

neighbors and our world in the light of the goodness inherent in all God’s creation

What lessons do you think can be gained from this exercise?

Do people slow down and take a second look at their environment often enough? Why or why not?

What are possible consequences of failing to take a second look at their environment often enough? What are the benefits?

Is there beauty in your surroundings? Survey them as if you were looking through the lens of a camera--or actually do so if you have a camera available. Write a paragraph about what you saw and whether it appeared to you as beautiful.

Goodness given by God is at the core of all people and creation

Respect is the recognition of that goodness

All creation is precious and valuable

Respect in action When an attitude of respect is expressed in

actions, justice occurs Christian vision of just can be realized only

when respect, based in God-given goodness of creation is active in human life

What criteria are used by students in this school to discriminate against one another?

What do all of these images have in common?

Deut. 32:11 Isa. 42:14 Isa. 66:7-13 Luke 15:8-10 Matt. 23:37

The creation account states that God created human beings in God’s image, male and female (Gen.1:27)

If we overlook female images of God, might our sense of the dignity of women be inhibited?

Just as inclusion of female images can increase our sense of God and the dignity of women-and men-the inclusion of other cultural images of God can expand our sense of God and the dignity of all cultures.

Basic human dignity of all people Created in God’s image

◦ Our loving actions, actions that flow from the core of our being and display our concern for others, demonstrate most fully that we are images of God

◦ Abilities and skills unique to each person◦ Through these abilities that we express the image

of God on earth

Can never be taken away, even by our actions

God given right to express ourselves Cannot be destroyed Can be violated, disregarded and

disrespected Is assaulted by any action or circumstance

that prevents us from expressing our true nature as images of God

Basic human dignity of all people Write down your responses:

◦ What words or images come to mind when you think of people in prison?

◦ The purpose of prison is…◦ Even criminals have a basic dignity that must be

respected.

Tradition The Social Teaching of the Church

◦US Catholic Bishops Make amends with a crime Deterrent Rehabilitation Rights must be respected

Vengeance◦ Law is strong, but we frequently don’t live up◦ Ex: violence, denied basic medical, access to

lawyer, family◦ Assaults harm possibility of rehab

Rehabilitation◦ Respect is key to empowering people so they can

rehabilitate

Justice demands protection of the common good

Given this idea of justice:◦ How should we treat criminals?

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Consistent Ethic for Life From the womb to the tomb Heart of Justice

In groups: choose on life issue◦ Write what the most Pro- Life, Respect- Full

stance on that issue.

Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation– organized to abolish the death penalty

Break the cycle of violence Display that all life should be respected

Americans with Disabilities Act

Lack of self respect Addiction Treat addiction—change values, thinking,

behaviors, spirituality Embrace responsibility, honesty and caring

for others

Examples of a lack of self-respect What are the criteria for self-respect Make a list of guidelines. HW: Self-evaluation: how are you doing

with these? Set personal goals for improvement.

Wage gap How does this affect other areas of justice?

Advertisements manipulate People become identified with what they

own instead of what they think

All people have basic goodness and dignity because they have been created in the image of God

This human dignity must be acknowledged and respected

Do you ever think about pro-life issues? How do you feel about them?

Are your family and friends supportive of you views?

Who do you think you are more like Morton or Horton? Why?

Why do you think that people are afraid to stand up for life?

Why do you think pro-life issues generate so much passion in people?

Have you ever had to deal with people who oppose your beliefs? What did you do?

How is the dignity of all human life attacked? What is the opposition to pro-life issues look like in your life?

How can you take a stand for life both in big ways and small ways.