Chapter 2 Respecting Human Dignity

Do Now Think of someone who has hurt you. Are you able to see any good in him or her? In a paragraph, explain the reason for your response.

Respect for Goodness’ Sake Christian vision of justice: belief that all of God’s creation has goodness and dignity Respect: Taking a second look Look beyond outer appearances and see our neighbors and our world in the light of the goodness inherent in all God’s creation

Lemons and Limes What lessons do you think can be gained from this exercise? Do people slow down and take a second look at their environment often enough? Why or why not? What are possible consequences of failing to take a second look at their environment often enough? What are the benefits?

Do Later Is there beauty in your surroundings? Survey them as if you were looking through the lens of a camera--or actually do so if you have a camera available. Write a paragraph about what you saw and whether it appeared to you as beautiful.

Worth Given by God Goodness given by God is at the core of all people and creation Respect is the recognition of that goodness All creation is precious and valuable

Justice Respect in action When an attitude of respect is expressed in actions, justice occurs Christian vision of just can be realized only when respect, based in God-given goodness of creation is active in human life

What criteria are used by students in this school to discriminate against one another?

Respecting the Dignity of the Human Person Basic human dignity of all people Created in God’s image Our loving actions, actions that flow from the core of our being and display our concern for others, demonstrate most fully that we are images of God Abilities and skills unique to each person Through these abilities that we express the image of God on earth

A Permanent Dignity Can never be taken away, even by our actions God given right to express ourselves Cannot be destroyed Can be violated, disregarded and disrespected Is assaulted by any action or circumstance that prevents us from expressing our true nature as images of God

Respect is a Right for Everyone Basic human dignity of all people Write down your responses: What words or images come to mind when you think of people in prison? The purpose of prison is… Even criminals have a basic dignity that must be respected.

The Church’s View of Prisoners and Prisons Tradition The Social Teaching of the Church US Catholic Bishops Make amends with a crime Deterrent Rehabilitation  Rights must be respected

US Prisons Vengeance Law is strong, but we frequently don’t live up Ex: violence, denied basic medical, access to lawyer, family Assaults harm possibility of rehab Rehabilitation Respect is key to empowering people so they can rehabilitate

Justice demands protection of the common good Given this idea of justice: How should we treat criminals?

Pro-Life

“The Seamless Garment” Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Consistent Ethic for Life From the womb to the tomb Heart of Justice

In groups: choose on life issue Write what the most Pro- Life, Respect- Full stance on that issue.

Capital Punishment Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation– organized to abolish the death penalty Break the cycle of violence Display that all life should be respected

People with Disabilities Americans with Disabilities Act

Drug Abuse Lack of self respect Addiction Treat addiction—change values, thinking, behaviors, spirituality Embrace responsibility, honesty and caring for others

Examples of a lack of self-respect What are the criteria for self-respect Make a list of guidelines. HW: Self-evaluation: how are you doing with these? Set personal goals for improvement.

Respecting Women Wage gap How does this affect other areas of justice?

Respecting Intelligence Advertisements manipulate People become identified with what they own instead of what they think

Respect: Basic to all Just Relationships All people have basic goodness and dignity because they have been created in the image of God This human dignity must be acknowledged and respected