Wednesday, May 6, 2020 –
An alarming trend is happening. Of late, I have seen several people declare “I’ve lost all respect for people who…” as well as numerous posts wishing ill-will and even death to those who disagree with their views. Yes, for real, I have seen people actively wishing that others die for not agreeing with their (usually myopic) viewpoint.
Seriously, people!? You disagree with someone and thus feel compelled to hope for their unfortunate demise? Have we really devolved as a society to the point of wishing DEATH on someone who does not see eye-to-eye with us?
Sadly, it appears so, which means we need to back the truck up and have a run-down of basic Catholic teaching on human dignity.
Human dignity is a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching. It is the belief that every—EVERY—human person, from conception to natural death, has inherent and inviolable dignity because we are each made in the image and likeness of God.
Let’s break it down even further and define some of these $5 words and phrases…
Human (human being): a person; any individual of the species homo sapien; as in NOT a bug, pig, plant, rock, etc.
Dignity: worthiness; implying each person is worthy of honor and respect
Cornerstone: something essential, basic, indispensable; the foundation on which something is built
Catholic Social Teaching: “a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society” (USCCB, Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching)
Belief: a religious tenet, creed, or faith; confidence and conviction in a religious truth
Every: all; not exclusive of any person
Person: see human being; again, any human (regardless of age or state of birth) that is part of the human race; as in NOT a tambourine, bandsaw, puppy dog, caterpillar, cow, etc.
Conception: the inception of pregnancy; that very moment of creation where a sperm enters an egg and a whole, unique DNA is formed; all human creation results in a human life, not a “blob” of tissue
Natural Death: death is the natural end to our earthly life; it is the separation of the soul from the body, which “will be reunited with the body on the day of resurrection of the dead” (CCC 1005)
Inherent: a permanent and inseparable quality or attribute
Inviolable: incapable of being violated; secure from destruction, infringement, etc.
Image and Likeness of God: humans can love, choose good, create, etc. We have free will and are capable of freely choosing to do good. Humans are not reactionary creatures, but can mirror God in how we know, understand, do good, and choose love. “By virtue of his soul and his spiritual powers of intellect and will, man is endowed with freedom, an ‘outstanding manifestation of the divine image.’” (CCC 1705)
Right, so revisiting our original statement: Human dignity is a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching. It is the belief that every—EVERY—human person, from conception to natural death, has inherent and inviolable dignity because we are each made in the image and likeness of God.
To put it in long terms…
Every person, because of their very nature of being a human, has dignity and deserves respect. We are made in the image and likeness of God, which means we each have an intellect and will. Humans are not reactionary creatures. This sets us apart from the plants and animals. We can think, know, understand, and choose: AKA we have free-will.
If you are “losing respect” for a fellow human being, you are refusing to recognize their worthiness as a human. ALL human life is sacred and should be valued. To deny someone respect over trivial disagreements says, “I do not think you are worthy as a person, and I reject your free-will and ability to know, understand, and choose.”
Taking it a step further, if you are actively wishing ill on someone who disagrees with you or worse, hope for their death, then you are not only rejecting their inherent dignity as a human person, you are also actively engaging in immoral behavior.
When you read the Fifth Commandment, “thou shalt not kill,” you should understand that it is commanding you safeguard your life and others. It doesn’t just forbid killing; it also forbids you seeking or wishing the death of another. Every person is precious. Every life has value. We value people over things, or thoughts.
So next time you “lose respect” over someone’s differing opinion, or wish death on your mortal Facebook enemies, take a moment to pause and pray for them. Know and understand that they are a human just like you, and it is perfectly okay to disagree with someone without resorting to online death threats.
And, in case you were wondering:
Sic semper desiderare mortem homini
Thus always to desire a man’s death.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.
