The Gathering Place
A Matter of Human Dignity
By Bruce J. Clemenger
a supreme Court case requires us to consider our commitment to the
sanctity of human life. how dedicated are we to uphold its value?
The meaning of human dignity and how it should
be recognized and affirmed in Canadian society
is back on the public agenda. The Supreme Court
is currently considering arguments about how we
regulate the creation and treatment of early human life.
Canada adopted legislation governing genetic and reproductive technologies in 2004. The Evangelical Fellowship of
Canada made persuasive arguments for the protection of the
sanctity of human life before parliamentary committees and
provided resources for MPs and their staff. A wide array of
Canadian voices contributed, and the resulting law provided
national standards that are now being challenged.
Quebec, joined by several other provinces, now contends
the current national approach is unwarranted and provinces
should be free to do what is right in their own eyes.
It has been a while since the Supreme Court has addressed
the issue of the sanctity of life head-on. In a 1993, case a
majority of the Supreme Court concluded that the argument
about whether one can end one’s own life “focuses on the generally held and deeply rooted belief in our society that human
life is sacred or inviolable.” The “sanctity of human life” (they
clarified they meant it in a secular sense) was recognized as
one of those principles of fundamental justice that give shape
to our laws in Canada.
A key question is deciding when the principle applies. Does
it extend back to conception or only pertain at some later point
in human development? If the latter, then at what stage? Once
we move beyond conception, the criterion used to determine
when early human life is treated as human – and afforded full
dignity and respect – has significant consequences. If it is a level
of independence or capacity or belonging that enables one to
qualify, what of those who at some point no longer meet the criteria? Are they then no longer deserving of equal treatment?
In Canada we have said no to human cloning and to
animal-human hybrids, no to experimentation on human
Together for influence, impact and identity
The evangelical fellowship of Canada is the national association of
evangelicals, gathered together for influence, impact and identity in ministry
and public witness. since 1964 the efC has provided a national forum for
evangelicals and a constructive voice for biblical principles in life and society.
visit us at www.evangelicalfellowship.ca.
embryos past 14 days of life and no to buying sperm, eggs
and embryos. Our laws are still deficient yet they are better
than the laws of most western democracies, and we were right
to agree that these standards must apply nationwide.
When the commitment to human dignity at all stages of
life is eroded, there are consequences. It is a principle that lies
at the core of our understanding of self and other.
The Christian belief that all humans are created in the
image of God – and therefore have equal dignity – is a core
principle of our world view. It means we are valued apart from
our own estimation of our worth or the evaluation of others.
It also affirms genuine humility and fosters a lens that defines
care: we are all equally valued by God. When we get either
wrong, we can cause immense harm over generations.
The articles published in this issue of Faith Today on reconciliation show that, when the blood or nationality of one
is understood to entail superiority or to grant privileges not
afforded others, pain and even atrocities result. Such prejudices thwart a common commitment to human dignity and
undermine the related obligation to establish new habits and
change the behaviour that caused harm. In Canada, having
offered an apology to Aboriginal Peoples, are we committed
to changing our attitudes and behaviour toward them?
The affirmation of universal human dignity, of the sanctity
of human life, has influenced social policy in Canada. If it
were truly considered inviolable and fully adhered to, it would
prompt changes in how we care for others, particularly those
who are marginalized and vulnerable. Any diminishment will
have consequences.
In its 1993 decision, the Supreme Court recognized there
might come a time when the sanctity of human life would no
longer be widely shared and accepted and, thus, would no
longer qualify as a principle of fundamental justice. Such a
conclusion would be regressive for this principle challenges
presumptions of privilege, entitlement and meritocracy. As
Christians we must uphold human dignity at all stages of life
in all that we do and continue to make appeals to all Canadians that the principle of the sanctity of human life be manifest in our laws and our conduct toward others.
Bruce J. Clemenger is the president of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Read more columns at www.evangelical
fellowship.ca/clemenger.
