RESPECTING LIFE

The 5th Commandment

Thou Shall Not Kill

The 5th Commandment

Thou Shall Not Kill

The intentional killing or hurting of yourself or another. Murder Suicide

Moral Law Respect human life from the moment of

conception until the moment of natural death Jesus teaches:

“put away all thoughts of anger/vengeance, love your enemy”

Beatitudes call us to be peacemakers

Natural Death?

God made us for eternal life; He did not create us to die. The original sin brings death into the world. God shared His divine life with us, “God blew his

breath into the man” (Gen. 2:7)

God is the author of life Only God has the authority over life and death

“It is I who bring both death and life” (Ps. 2:39)

Death is “unnatural to our nature” Survival instinct

We struggle against death

Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rage at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

Jesus’ Teachings

“You have heard it said…” Do not kill; whoever kills will be

liable to judgment. An eye for an eye. Hate your enemy

“But I say to you…” Whoever is angry with his brother

will be liable to judgment Offer no resistance to one who is evil Love your enemy and pray for those

who persecute you

Violations Against Life

Violent assaults Rape

Torture Terrorism Hazing rituals Bullying

Potentially harmful actions DWI Inattentive driving Unnecessary risk taking

Endangerment by Government Business Medical research

Beginning of Life Issues

Abortion Direct and deliberate killing of an unborn child at any time in a

pregnancy. Never permitted Pre-natal testing

Permissible if it does not harm the baby and is done to safeguard or heal

Not permissible for use in deciding to abort the baby Genetic engineering

The manipulation of the ovum or genetic code. Permissible to give treatment or for prevention if not harmful to

baby Not permitted to create “designer baby”

Stem cell research Collecting of stem cells for regeneration of degenerating

organs. Research done with adult stem cells is permitted Using aborted babies or discarded embryos is not permitted “The end does NOT justify the means”

End of Life Issues

Euthanasia A direct action or deliberate lack of action that causes

the death of a person who is handicapped, sick or dying. Suicide

Deliberately taking one’s own life. Assisted suicide is the same but with the help of another.

Treatment of the body after death. The body is to be treated with reverence after death.

The following practices are permissible under careful conditions

Autopsy, if necessary Organ donation, with permission and with care Cremation, with Christian Burial rites and interment or

inurnment.

Peacemakers

War Only

permissible as a legitimate self-defense

Conscientious objector

Is just war possible?

Just War Criteria Just cause Comparative

justice Legitimate

authority Probability of

success Proportionate

good Last resort

Personal Health Issues

Responsibility to keep oneself healthy Eat healthy Exercise Avoid harmful

practices Smoking Drugs Eating disorders