LESSON 13

• "This is a debate about our understanding of human dignity, what it means to be a member of the human family even though tiny, powerless and unwanted" - Henry Hyde
• Abby Johnson - Pro life advocate, former abortion clinic director
• Abortion - the deliberate termination of a pregnancy by a woman
• God created man and woman in His "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:27)
• God created human beings with the same spiritual qualities

  1. intellect
  2. will
• The human person having a creator was created for a purpose - that we shall be happy forever
• "Authentic happiness" is only achieved when we choose to do what is good
• Freedom - is to choose what is good and to reject evil
• God accorded the human person with "innate goodness"
• Here are some difficulties brought about by our defective intellect and will:

  1. recognizing what is truly good
  2. doing what is bad even if we know that it is not good
  3. easily giving in to peer pressure
• Aristotle - wrote a book in 400 BCE entitled "Nichomachean Ethics" which states that virtues and ethical behavior is the key to ultimate happiness
• God accorded the human person with dignity
• Dignity - comes from the Lating word "Dignitas" which means "worthiness"
• Life is Sacred from the moment of conception until natural death
• Threats to the sacredness of life

  1. Not being open to the creation of new life
  2. Terminating unwanted pregnancy
  3. Killing out of mercy
• Dr. Bernard Nathanson - a jew who used to be the premiere advocate of abortion in the USA

  • he founded an organization that pushes abortion rights (NARAL) National Abortion Rights League
• Jesus - reminds us that happiness and comfort are not achieved here on earth but through God's promises