January 22, 2001
EDITORIAL:
Protect the sanctity of human life
___We live in an age of human calculation. From sports to politics to business, we're fascinated by what a person is "worth."
___Baseball fans recently debated whether a shortstop, Alex Rodriguez, is worth more than one-quarter of a billion dollars to the Texas Rangers. When President Bush took the oath of office Jan. 20, the salary for the presidency almost doubled, from $219,000 to $400,000. Normal people can't even comprehend the amount of Bill Gates' holdings.
___Beyond mere money, we marvel at the value of people who make special contributions to society. How do you place a price-tag on the sound of your favorite singer's voice, the creativity of a composer, the genius of an artist, the insight of a novelist or the contribution of a research scientist?
___For more than a month, our thoughts have turned to the value of human life, as the reward for seven escaped convicts has risen steadily. We also have wondered how a life insurance policy of a slain police officer can compensate for the loss of a father.
___What is the value of human life? Pragmatically, we keep a tally, not unlike baseball teams. We read of war, and we're tempted to think of one U.S. soldier as equal to a Serb, two Iranians and a Somalian to be named later. We learn about a scientist on the verge of a cure, and we're tempted to think of her as worth three stock brokers, a plumber and a physical therapist still in training.
___Theologically, of course, this is not true. We know all people are of inestimable worth and therefore of equal value. The cause is simple: Every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). All our lives are nurtured and sustained by God (Job 34:14-15). God has mapped a divine plan for each of us (Psalm 139, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:15).
___This is important to remember right now, as Baptists and other people of faith celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Week. All human life is sacred and equally valuable. We dare not take it for granted or dispose of it callously or recklessly.
___During Sanctity of Human Life Week, we naturally turn our thoughts to abortion. This time of year is set aside for this observance because it marks the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, Jan. 22, 1973.
___Texas Baptists have spoken clearly on this issue. In the past 20 years, the Baptist General Convention of Texas has adopted six resolutions opposing abortion except to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape and incest. Three years ago, the BGCT passed a motion condemning partial-birth abortions. Two years ago, the convention called for a law requiring parental consent before a minor can have an abortion. Abortion on demand is forbidden at all BGCT-affiliated hospitals.
___We can pray and hope the new Congress and administration will make partial-birth abortions illegal. But even the U.S. attorney general-elect, a strong abortion opponent, has conceded elective abortion is the law of the land and unlikely to be overturned. So, we must strengthen our efforts to persuade women to seek alternatives to abortion. Providing more funding for pregnancy counseling and adoption through Buckner Baptist Benevolences would be a great start. So would increased support for teen sexual abstinence programs, such as True Love Waits, and family- and church-based sex education programs.
___However, we must not speak only to abortion and satisfy ourselves. Let us address the full spectrum of life-sanctity issues. We must speak compassionately and intelligently on behalf of life in the face of emerging bio-medical issues, such as physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions, as well as embryonic stem-cell research and human cloning. May we also support human life as we advocate for food aid and medical care for all people in all nations.
___Finally, let us remain consistent as we consider capital punishment. It is the law of the land, and in Texas it is supported by a vast majority of citizens. But we should take care lest we disregard our responsibility to protect life as much as possible. In doing so, we can advocate for strong public defender programs and criminal DNA testing where possible, and we can support a law to make life without parole a sentencing option for Texas juries.
___Human life is sacred. May we seek to preserve it and enrich it. And may we help to redeem it by proclaiming the saving grace of Jesus Christ to all people.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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