Gird Your Loins

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I just came from the “Terri’s sub-forum” in the In the News Forum. Obviously, the posts are running very hot there. Emotions are high but under control
I have spent years in the pro-life movement and have studied and done research into the problem in the United States, especially its origins.
Making a very long and sad story short, our American culture has shifted its view of the value of human life from the “Dignity of Life,” to the “Quality of life.”
The Catholic Church in her doctrines and teachings always has and always will view life with the sanctity that comes from being made in the "image and likeness of “God.”
The religion of the elites of the country, and by that I mean the major media (press and entertainment), academia (all levels) and of course, the courts and a substantial section of our elected government officials is, in general, secular humanism which embraces “quality of life,” as the standard.
And there is always the attendant value of sex for sex’ sake, with abortion being just a convenient back-up if other means of birth control fail.
In a very small nutshell, that’s it.
Now the question arises, what to do abut it?
We have a rare opportunity, in the unfortunate and tragic incidence of Terri Schiavo, to begin turning this aircraft carrier around.
I have a few suggestions. I believe they are realistic and have a chance of some success, but it must be remembered that this situation didn’t come about in a day and it will not be changed in a day, nor is my list exhaustive.
All politicians are susceptible to pressure from citizens, especially those who vote.
I also believe that the majority of Americans are sick and tired of regal federal judges legislating from the bench. Pick one, an espercially eggregious one and enlist all of like mind to push for impeachment of that judge.
Grassroots operations are exhausting, frustrating and they work. Begin in your parish. Start a pro-life organization of some kind, any kind. Father doesn’t like it, he’s too busy? Involve so many that he can’t say no. All he really has to do is approve it, anyway.
The next is key and very difficult. The bishops must be actiuve, unified and involved. They aren’t susceptible to votes, but they are to the collection plate, especially now. Again, numbers will lead to success.
My last suggestion is one we can all try and may be the most important: public schools. It doesn’t matter if you send your kids to Catholic schools, homeschool or don’t have any kids in school, you pay taxes to keep their publoc schools in operation. You can attend and speak at and propose ideas at school board meetings. You can visit your local schools and sit in on classes. Here’s where we can have the most impact. Remember, “Quality” versus “Sanctity.” It’s the whole ball game!
It’ll be a tough and long battle, so gird your loins, grab your buckler (does anybody know what a “buckler” is?) and shield and get busy.
I speak at high schools and colleges. Sometimes, my wheelchair helps me make the “quality” point.
Ideas? Welcome one and all.
 
I have been challenged by pro-abortionists to “visit a ward and see what the children there are sufferning.”

I always ask then, “When you visited that ward, did you take a knife or gun, and ask the kids if they wanted you to kill them?”

The answer is always a shocked, “No!”

Well, if the people who suffer from those disabilities, and experience that diminished quality of life don’t want to die, who are we to decide for them?
 
Quality and dignity are both subjective terms

but I don’t think that they are mutually exclusive

I think in many repsects they are almost the same

it is kinda like obscenity, I don’t know what dignity is but I know it when I see it
 
Steve Andersen:
I think in many repsects they are almost the same
Steve,
As you can see from the definitions below, they are quite different. You are correct in saying that they are not mutually exclusive, but when the culture considers the value of human life, the value it places on that life is, in this case, either the attributes of sanctity or quality.
It makes all the difference.

Sanctity
  1. The state or quality of being sacred or holy; holiness; saintliness; moral purity; godliness.
Quality
  1. The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished from others; nature or character relatively considered, as of goods; character; sort; rank
    From Webster’s Dictionary
 
How do we get to speak in schools so we can find the ones Christ wants to bring to the Church and the Culture of Life.

We could speak about the value of life and perhaps find the odd young person who is interested.

Could we start school pro life groups?

John
 
There are two answers to your question.
To speak in public schools, the presentation must be what I call religion-neutral. In other words, the pro-life position must be presented without the supporting reference to God or religion. It’s not allowed and is too easily refuted (“That’s what you believe”).
The answer is philosophy. The book Healing the Culture by Fr. Robert Spitzer does the best job I’ve seen of doing this. Of course, Fr. Spitzer is writing at a very high level and the material must be made understandable to the average high schooler. It’s possible. I’ve done it with good success.
If you’re in a Catholic school, you don’t have that problem. You can present the Church’s teaching on any of the life issues in a way they understand but that challenges them at the same time. It can be exciting.
Don’t worry about the odd young person who’s interested. Challenge them all, religions and secular with views and ideas they haven’t heard in the secular media or in school. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.
A pro-life club or organization is a great idea. If you get them enthused, there’s a lot of energy there.
 
Strider: A buckler is a small (ca. 12" diameter) shield held in one hand. It can be used to block sword strokes or to punch your opponent.
 
vern humphrey:
I have been challenged by pro-abortionists to “visit a ward and see what the children there are sufferning.”
A bad example. People with severe disabilities can live a fulfilled life, but there’s no guarantee. For the children in these wards, quality of life is pretty much equivalent to quality of care they receive. If they don’t receive loving care, the staff and administration have to answer for it.
 
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