Sanctity of Life - Strengths and Weaknesses

• 1 in favour


  Protects life as sacred. Promotes a positive approach to the value of life, including the value of a human life suffering under differeng forms of disability
• 2 in favour


  Weaker form of the principle is in line with Jesus' teachings on agape and on loving one's neighbour
• 3 in favour


  The weaker form is often seen as being in line with the realities of life. Recognises that abortion is not necessarily an arbitrary choice but is necessary and accessible
• 4 in favour


  Imago dei / ensoulment / value of human life
• 1 against


  In its strong form rests on a prescientific assessment of human value made 3000 years ago
• 2 against


  Ignores scientific findings concerning evolution and natural selection. Shows that humans are not a special life form - simply part of what has evolved
• 3 against


  To say that humans are made in God's image is anthropomorphism and reinforces a patriarchal model of society in which women are not equal with men in their choices
• 4 against


  We can value human life without religious overtones