Why Choose Life?

  • Tim Scott
  • Mar 9, 2008

    My first new car was a 1972 Chevy Nova. I was very excited, because I finally had a car I thought looked good and was completely dependable. I had that car for over 10 years. During that time I was in graduate school and was trying to get it to last as long as possible. However, as all cars do, it became an unreliable and unattractive means of transportation. I spent more time on the bus than in my car. The problem was the car had lost its "instrumental value." After becoming thoroughly disgusted with that car, I bought a new one. When things lose their instrumental value (i.e. usability) we discard them.

    Does this same standard apply to people? What do we do if a person loses his or her instrumental value? For example, an individual is seriously hurt in an accident. This person can no longer care for himself. What then of his value? Should he be discarded? Should we put him away where we don't have to see him? What should be our response? I think we can agree that we are not willing to dispense with humans, simply because their positive impact has diminished. We believe in the value of people, beyond their impact and usability. This is called intrinsic value and it's based on the creative act of God. It is inborn within each of us.

    A dog is injured and dying by the side of the road. Most people will drive by without stopping or even thinking very much about it. A young child is hurt on the road and practically the whole world stops to attend to the child. Clearly we value children more than animals. This is not based on a selfish connection of a human to a human, but a recognition of the sanctity of human life. We know intuitively that human life is sacred.

    A society that euthanizes its weak and vulnerable, loses itself as truly human. In order for us to glorify God we must respect not only God's creation but the order of creation. Man is created in the image of God, there is no other being created in this way. Choosing life is the natural outpouring of respect for almighty God. If people have a right to choose, the vulnerable have a right to live. One day most of us will be vulnerable in the aging process. Can we trust a society with our life when we, that society, doesn't respect human life?

    We as a people need to look past our own selfishness and realize that the pre-born, the weak, the old and the injured are God's children regardless of their impact on society. Please choose life, it's the only reasonable response to a God of creation.

    Dr. T. R. Scott