The Christian belief that God made human beings in His own image and likeness
Imago Dei
Gives our soul a great dignity
We should be thankful to God for this
Looking at God is like looking in a mirror
It shows up our imperfections clearly, they are the first thing we see
Looking on the perfection of God
Highlights our soul's imperfections to us clearly - we are provincial compared to God
St Catherine: 'God loved humans so much that he made them with dignity,worth and the possibility to experience His great goodness'
As we are made in the image of God, unlike any other creature, this makes human life precious, holy, and sacred, according to Roman Catholic Christians
God is involved in the process of conception, it is up to him whether or not an egg is fertilised. This means that God is the only being who can end human life
Reasons for the belief that life is sacred (according to Catherine of Siena)
Origin: Life is a gift from God-it originates from Him so is holy
Dignity: Humans are made in God's image and have immortal souls
Destiny: The goal of this life is eternal joy with God in heaven
One of St. Catherine of Siena's writings was called "The Dialogue of St Catherine of Siena"
