The Value of Human Life and Dignity
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There is nothing on this earth more important than people. No bottom line, no religious belief, no organizational structure, no corporation, no institutional protection is more important than one single human life. Nothing. When organizations become more important than the individuals of which they are comprised, human dignity is oft sacrificed on the altars of egocentric leaders.
Our priorities are misplaced when we deem other things more important than human life and human dignity. Whether it is a despicable despot who hoards the riches of his country and lets his people starve (have you ever noticed all ruthless dictators are men and not women?) or leaders of institutions who ignore one of their own horrifically violating an innocent boy, then human life and dignity start taking second place to any other value. And when that happens, we are one step closer to anarchy and ten thousand steps removed from decency and dignity.
I was working on a school project with my teenage son, Alexander, last night and we talked about the recent Penn State scandal. A ten-year old boy was molested by a coach several years ago and, while some reported it internally, decisions were made not to involve the law. So I explained to my son, who loves sports, that the basic problem is that men in positions of authority along the way made the biggest mistake of all when they determined their values. The institution became more important than a ten-year old boy who will suffer that trauma for the rest of his life. Our values drive our decisions and their mistake started when human life and dignity took second place to something else. That should never happen.
I am saddened, but not surprised anymore, with the increasing decisions to protect everything except people. Governments, churches, corporations, schools, non-profits, and fill-in-the-blank-groups are making decisions that do not have human dignity as the fundamental core value.
It seems so simple.