What the Culture of Life is About
July 13th, 2008 at 08:50am Mark Noonan
Fr. Neuhaus, in an address to the National Right to Life Committee, lays it out:
Some say it started with the notorious Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 when, by what Justice Byron White called an act of raw judicial power, the Supreme Court wiped from the books of all fifty states every law protecting the unborn child. But it goes back long before that. Some say it started with the agitation for “liberalized abortion law” in the 1960s when the novel doctrine was proposed that a woman cannot be fulfilled unless she has the right to destroy her child. But it goes back long before that. It goes back to the movements for eugenics and racial and ideological cleansing of the last century.
Whether led by enlightened liberals, such as Margaret Sanger, or brutal totalitarians, whose names live in infamy, the doctrine and the practice was that some people stood in the way of progress and were therefore non-persons, living, as it was said, “lives unworthy of life.” But it goes back even before that. It goes back to the institution of slavery in which human beings were declared to be chattel property to be bought and sold and used and discarded at the whim of their masters. It goes way on back…
…The culture of death is an idea before it is a deed. I expect many of us here, perhaps most of us here, can remember when we were first encountered by the idea. For me, it was in the 1960s when I was pastor of a very poor, very black, inner city parish in Brooklyn, New York. I had read that week an article by Ashley Montagu of Princeton University on what he called “A Life Worth Living.” He listed the qualifications for a life worth living: good health, a stable family, economic security, educational opportunity, the prospect of a satisfying career to realize the fullness of one’s potential. These were among the measures of what was called “a life worth living.”
And I remember vividly, as though it were yesterday, looking out the next Sunday morning at the congregation of St. John the Evangelist and seeing all those older faces creased by hardship endured and injustice afflicted, and yet radiating hope undimmed and love unconquered. And I saw that day the younger faces of children deprived of most, if not all, of those qualifications on Prof. Montagu’s list. And it struck me then, like a bolt of lightning, a bolt of lightning that illuminated our moral and cultural moment, that Prof. Montagu and those of like mind believed that the people of St. John the Evangelist—people whom I knew and had come to love as people of faith and kindness and endurance and, by the grace of God, hope unvanquished—it struck me then that, by the criteria of the privileged and enlightened, none of these my people had a life worth living. In that moment, I knew that a great evil was afoot. The culture of death is an idea before it is a deed.
In that moment, I knew that I had been recruited to the cause of the culture of life. To be recruited to the cause of the culture of life is to be recruited for the duration; and there is no end in sight, except to the eyes of faith.
I can’t identify the moment that vividly where I switched from acquiescence to the Culture of Death to opposition…but I do remember the moment when I became a pro-life absolutist, a happy warrior for the Culture of Life: it was when I was honored to listen to some women who had been victimised by abortion, and heard them urge me - a man - to stand tall for life and in the defense of women and their unborn children. It became so entirely clear to me that the issue of life transcended everything else - that there really was no more important issue. If we can’t respect the dignity of our fellow human beings - from conception to natural death - then all talk of “rights” and “liberty” was so much nonsense. People have to be alive for us to be concerned about them.
The title of Fr. Neuhaus’ speech is “We Shall Not Weary, We Shall Not Rest” - speaking to the fact that once recruited to the pro-life cause, one never gives up and never gives in. We are sustained by the knowledge we are backing basic decency - and the knowledge that in spite of all lies designed to throw dust in everyone’s eyes, the basic fact of our nation - the Declaration of Independence - proclaims what we proclaim, that all human beings are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, including - most importantly - the right to life, with no quibbles about whether or not a pregnancy 6 months along or a 96 year old alzheimers patient are really alive. They are. We know it. The Culture of Death knows it, too. We just act on that knowledge, the Culture of Death ignores it because, for humanity, cowardice and evil are the easy course of action - doing wrong or just ignoring wrong is much easier, and seemingly safer, than doing right or opposing wrong.
I, too, shall not weary nor shall I rest in this battle - not only am I not discouraged, there is no way to discourage me on the issue of Life vs Death. As I live so do I battle for Life, and as long as I live - which, after all, is actually forever - I shall fight for Life against all of those who hold that Death is the better alternative.
Entry Filed under: General Government, Life Issues, Popular Culture, Religion
13 Comments
1. Pain | July 13th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Let the several states decide if they will allow the practice or not at the ballot box in 2010.
2. TampaBayRayz-4-evah-don't-mess | July 13th, 2008 at 10:44 am
1. Pain | July 13th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Makes sense to me, but the problem here is that if the question of Choice goes to the states, it will be very difficult to prevent a whitewash by ME, VT, NH, RI, MA, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, DC, IL, WI, MN, NV, WA, OR, CA and HI. That’s a lot of people! That’s about half the people, in fact. While it might strike you and me as a good compromise, it’s covers too many women for the tastes of the absolutists here.
3. js | July 13th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
really, its not an issue of “if” states should deciede…its an issue about the truth…there isnt a single medical professional that will testify that a fetus is not alive…nor that it is a human being…simple facts….and on an even playing field…with stem cell research…so what is the moral right here? that stem cells should not be harvested from living human fetus’, yet, its ok for a woman to pay a doctor $500 to cut one out of her, and dump it in the trash can? …..the wires are shorted out…if a fetus has no standing as a living human being…we should not have any objection to stem cells being harvested from living human fetus’, but if its wrong…then so is abortion…
4. Jeremiah | July 13th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I agree with Mr. Neuhaus. That was very good, excellent work.
However, I would contend, that most ideologies, given that we have a choice…if a Nation is not in unison on what should be right then there can be only one of two things happen:
1. They can agree with God’s Word and expect blessings.
2. Disagree, on half works toward the protection of life, and the other half in defense of murder, and expect nothing other nothing other than down-fall.
This day and age we have too much victimology going on, people want to blame all of their problems on others except themselves, they see themselves as inerrant on all accounts…for instance…a woman goes to the doctor and says, “Doctor Orange, I’ve a problem and I need your help” … Doctor Orange says, “Ok, what is it?” The woman says, “I’ve got an STD and so and so gave it to me”
Another person comes to Dr. Orange and says, “Dr. Orange, I’ve got major problems, can you help me?” Dr. Orange says, “I’ll certainly try, what is it?” …. “It’s my legs, Dr. Orange, they’re taking me places I ought not go” “It’s my hands, they’re buying things I ought not buy” “It’s my feet, they’re taking me places I ought no go” … on and on.
Some people jump in front of a car, and if they survive they say, “The car wouldn’t stop”
We play in the victim game way to much in America…but it’s no game, my friend. America’s mentality of victimhood is from none other than Satan. Too many people give into the temptations of Satan … You see, Satan, he’s smart, and he can cook up a nice little recipe for disaster….he’s the hooker, and we take the bait way too often. Boyfriends, parents, friends, class-mates, teachers they all contribute to the Culture of Death whenever they say, “Get an abortion, get an abortion”
Another way people fall to the victimhood game, is….”I was born that way” for those who indulge in deviant sexual behavior.
So, if that’s correct, then we were born with the desire to murder? Born with the desire to steal? Born with the desire to hate? Born with the desire to….on and on.
The Bible says, ‘Sin, when it is fully conceived, gives birth to Death.’
Sin, is America’s problem, friends, and we can blame it on a million things…but ultimately, it is the desire of one’s heart…the choices we make.
You get a lot of rosey pictures of beer, wine, and liquor on tv commercials and bill boards…but that’s jus the beginning, they don’t show the ends….with a man laying in the gutter with his own vomit covered in flies!
At last, it stingeth like an adder!
‘Sin, when it is fully conceived, gives birth to what? To Death.
In order to break this chain of slavery to sin in America, people will ultimately have to get the will-power within themselves to ask God to forgive them and choose within them to become brand-new persons.
5. cam | July 13th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
“………the issue of life transcended everything else - that there really was no more important issue.”
What is truly amazing is that this respect for life does not extend to the death penalty or war. A 100,000 or more dead Iraqis or a couple of innocent people executed on death row don’t get the same consideration.
6. Mark Noonan | July 13th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
cam,
Actually, after many studies over many years, the total number of innocent people executed by the State in the United States of America is - zero. The checks and balances in our politico-judicial system are such that the chances of executing the innocent are very small, even though there have been rare instances of innocent people being sentenced to death. While this is not existential proof that no innocent person has ever been put to death by State agency in America, it is as close as human beings will ever get.
That said, I’m opposed to the death penalty, anways. I said I’m a pro-life absolutist, and I meant it. We must never seek the death of the innocent and we must refrain from seeking the death of guilty people who have been rendered harmless. Only when engaged with an enemy who won’t yield is lethal force justified - and the dead of Iraq, each and every one of them, is ultimately the responsibility of those who started the war and those who sustain it in face of the clear evidence that we seek no conquest nor plunder in Iraq and, of course, that we are there by the express permission of the legitimate Iraqi government, and thus no one in Iraq has moral cause to resist our presence by force.
7. js | July 14th, 2008 at 7:47 am
cam
trying to insinuate that our military is over in iraq with the intent of slaughtering innocent civilians makes you looks pretty stupid cam….as a matter of fact….most of the innocent civilians harmed in iraq was not due to hostile acts attributable to us…but instead…to the insurgents who really dont care who they kill as long as someone dies…
so the effective reality is not picture of corruption you are showing us, but instead….that we are in iraq to stop the slaughter of those innocents that you try to attribute to our sons and daughters….
not to mention…the disrespect you deserve for the ignorance that you posted….
8. Some Assembly Required | July 14th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
” Actually, after many studies over many years, the total number of innocent people executed by the State in the United States of America is - zero. The checks and balances in our politico-judicial system are such that the chances of executing the innocent are very small, even though there have been rare instances of innocent people being sentenced to death. While this is not existential proof that no innocent person has ever been put to death by State agency in America, it is as close as human beings will ever get. “ Mark
Mark, you really should start proof reading what you write man. You say the number of people executed by the state over many studies is zero, but then in a sentence after that you debunk your own statement. To top it off you come full circle and blame any said injustices in the legal system on man’s fallibility.
I’m sure the Vatican could use someone of your talents to help with bible camp and sunday day care. Get them while their young and the possibilities are limitless.
I do find it comforting to know, aside from a couple of readers your posts and comments are greeted with head shaking and such inner dialog as ‘Did this guy really just say that?’, ‘I want the phone number for his dealer’, or even ‘Evil PURE AND SIMPLE by way of the Eighth Dimension’… (yes, I quoted Buckaroo Banzai). The power and clout of your generation is coming to a close. What’s emerging is a more liberal, global community. It’s evident on a daily basis from i-phones and i-pods to my-space and Facebook. Borders are just lines on a map, lines which fiber optic cables, radio waves, wireless routers, etc. have no concept of. Kids have the ability to talk to someone in China or Russia anytime they wish. It’s this kind of connection thats paving the way for a better foreign policy. It’s a realization that we all live on the same tiny rock regardless of where we were born. On this rock everything effects everything from the smallest fart to the biggest boom. Looking down from space the only borders are created by oceans. Some of these oceans man has even spanned with bridges to connect to brothers on the other side. The sooner people start waking up and realizing we all have this rock in common and anyone caught outside in the rain will get wet. The sooner we’ll be able to move forward to this righteous plain of existence you clam to be living on Mark. Which makes that kind of Ironic I guess.
I’m against the death penalty and I am pro-choice. My thoughts on the death penalty are simple, it’s the easy way out. Murderers should be required to do hard labor for the rest of their days, or spend it in solitary.
As for abortion, who am I to tell a 16 year old girl that she must keep her baby and likely forgo college? I feel no sympathy for her or the choice she has to make because she should have practiced safe sex. However, speaking from experience (a couple of friends a few years ago) it’s not something you just go and do.
Of the friends I remember, one kept the baby for fear she may never have another one. She put off college for a few years but is now taking distance courses. The other one had an abortion and recently graduated college. Both are sweet woman, both made a choice and both have turned out or will turn out very well.
I’m sure you’ll see this as a prime example that women can be successful at a young age after having a child. So be it. Just know that both women are happy with their choices and if given the chance would not change anything.
Would you really feel justified in taking happiness away from my friend (even though it doesn’t affect you or your situation one iota) because she should not have a choice? If you answer yes, I wouldn’t consider that to be very Christian of you.
9. Mark Noonan | July 15th, 2008 at 1:01 am
SAR,
And you should read what I wrote before you comment - I said the number of innocent people executed is zero.
As for the rest of it - some how I just don’t find the prospect of delayed college to be all that horrific, especially when placed against the loss of an innocent human life. The evil with the so-called “pro-choice” position is that it holds that a child is or at least can be a problem - a human being is never a problem. Get into that line of thinking and its just a matter of time before someone figures that you are the problem.
And, also, this little rock we live on where the borders don’t really matter - true words, though I suspect you haven’t thought them all the way through. This mote we live on is, indeed, small … and not very important in the really grand scheme of things. Furthermore, it is doomed - believe in God or don’t believe in God…both theology and materialism hold that this world has a finite existence and eventually everything on it will be less than a memory…unless, of course, you believe in that life of the world to come which all of creation shouts out to you is the case.
Trouble me not with words about the brotherhood of man - I’m highly familiar with the concept and, indeed, I really do feel myself to be the brother of all men…most especially those we call our enemies. But don’t trivialise love - love is not soft and mushy, but hard as diamonds and it claims all.
10. Some Assembly Required | July 15th, 2008 at 8:35 am
First, it was a mistake on my part. My first sentence should have included the word ‘innocent’. Nevertheless, where is your proof? What studies are you referring too?
I agree that distance education is not a terrible thing. Many people use it to better themselves while working full-time. Though you do not gain the same social experiences, you can receive your degree/diploma without the massive burden of student loans. Just as a woman has a choice of what education she wants she should also have a choice of whether to have a child or not. Your argument that a human being is never a problem is disingenuous. For instance, I would consider Osama Bin Laden a problem and danger to society. As for a child, I do not see them as a problem, just as a preventable burden on a young woman. Don’t get my wrong, I do not feel abortions should be given like Advil for a headache. I just think the option should be there for woman if they so choose.
Yes, this planet we call home will eventually cease to exist. We as humans have the ability to even overcome this if we begin to work together as a species. Our potential is limitless if we do not kill each other first.
“But don’t trivialise love - love is not soft and mushy, but hard as diamonds and it claims all.”
Are you sure your not talking about War, Violence or even Greed? I see love as something very fragile which is easily broken. Love is not unlike trust and both often are linked so tightly it’s impossible for one to exist without the other. I truly find it hard to believe you can love something which you fight to destroy (Enemies). This is a foreign concept to me that frankly defies logic. Aside from the biblical notion, I have yet to see any practical application of this. Sure there have been instances during the first and second world wars where both sides shared meals or even games of football (European) during lulls in the fighting. The fighting always resumes and the hatred always comes back. The only exception to the rule I see is family. (IRA, brothers fighting brothers) However, I also hold this as a symbol of how fragile love is. Showing that disagreement over certain issues can break the bonds of even brothers.
I hold love in the highest regard as it is humanities most endearing trait. I just try to see it for what it really is and not some obscured one size fits all notion to apply when need.
11. js | July 15th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men…..Mt 16:23
12. Tractatus | July 15th, 2008 at 11:20 am
a human being is never a problem. Get into that line of thinking and its just a matter of time before someone figures that you are the problem.
Your opinions on the Iraq invasion directly contradict your statement that “a human being is never a problem.” You’re already well into that line of thinking, and you won’t be getting out of it anytime soon.
13. Some Assembly Required | July 15th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
11. js | July 15th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I guess that means you’ll relinquish your computer. You are also an environmentalist considering the world was created by God. No? Oh thats right, you savor man made things of convenience because they come from things of God. I mean, God created the Earth so man could pillage it’s resources for his own convenience. So therefore, the things that be of men are actually created by God. Your move sherlock.