How does abortion and euthanasia affect the dignity of a human person in reference to the teachings of the church?

 

How does abortion and euthanasia affect the dignity of a human person in reference to the teachings of the church?

Abortion and Euthanasia affect the dignity of the human person because the teaching of the church tells us that the all human life is sacred and that the dignity of a human person is the foundation and center of a moral vision for society. This belief is the basis of all the moral teaching of the church. The word of God teaches us that each individual is known by God from before the foundation of the world. Since all life exists for God's purposes and all human lives are equally sacred and equal in dignity. In this respect, human life must be protected, preserved and nurtured.

" So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.." (Gen. 1:27) All human beings, no matter who they are or where they are from, whether born or unborn, healthy or dying are images of God. We are imbued with His spirit that gave us life. Our life itself is considered to be the spirit of God which makes our lives sacred and dignified. Thus, life is to be respected and we have no capacity to violate it. Moreover , life is sacred and dignified because it came from god. It does not belong to us. It belongs to God. Thus, we do not have the right to take it away and intervene in God's plans.

Euthanasia and abortion both affect the dignity and sanctity of life since we do not protect, preserve and nurture it. Instead, we end life in abortion and Euthanasia. We believe as Christians that there is already life in an unborn child. Life is already present upon conception and we are to preserve and nurture it. God has plans for the child and who are we to interfere with God's plan. Who are we to take a child's life? In Euthanasia, life remains sacred and with dignity no matter what quality and circumstances that that life has. Death is to awaited and not planned. God alone has the capacity to take one's life for it belongs to Him.