A Culture of Life vs. A Culture of Death: Notes from Pope Saint John Paul II's "The Gospel of Life"

A Culture of Life versus a Culture of Death

• Introduction to the Dichotomy

  • Pope Saint John Paul II's 1995 encyclical "The Gospel of Life" ("Evangelium Vitae") identifies two cultures with different answers to "What does it mean to choose life?"

  • One culture believes being fully alive means having what we want; the other believes it means being true to who we are.

The Culture of Death: We Are What We Have

• Core Principle and Societal Reflection

  • This worldview equates "choosing life" with accumulation; "we are what we have."

  • The more one possesses (material goods, abilities, looks, power), the more human one is considered.

  • Newborns, those with disabilities, or the unborn are deemed "less human"; new life is a biological process, not a divine gift.

  • Human rights are based on the ability to fulfill desires, not the sacredness of life.

• Reasons for the Name "Culture of Death"

  • Views human life as separate from God, leading to death for those considered less valuable.

  • Upholds the right to excess while others suffer poverty, devalues individuals perceived as burdens, and uses "quality of life" as the sole criterion for worth.

  • Favors euthanasia over natural death with suffering.

• Christian Perspective on Material Desire

  • Possessions aren't inherently wrong; the issue arises when wanting a better life becomes the sole goal.

  • Christian view: choosing life is choosing love.

• Pope Francis's Critique of the Culture of Death

  • Highlights the "deconstruction of our societal values" and a "mindset that human beings are dispensable."

  • Connects it to abortion, stem-cell research, capital punishment, euthanasia, suicide, human trafficking, inadequate healthcare/education, oppression of civil rights, and inequality.

  • Observes a readiness to discard others, evident in reemerging racism and unequal human rights (Pope Francis, "All Brothers," 20, 22).

  • Societal failure to provide resources for young people implies some are less valued.

• Moving Forward

  • Recognizing a lack of social structure supporting a consistent life ethic is key.

  • Identifying personal biases helps determine true support for a culture of life or death.

The Culture of Life: We Are Images of God

• Core Principle and Christian Belief

  • "We are more than what we have;" death is not the end.

  • Scripture: "God did not make death… For he fashioned all things that they might have being…" (Wisdom 1:13-14, 2:23).

  • Humans are body and soul, fully human regardless of possessions or appearance.

  • Being fully alive means reflecting God's image by imitating Jesus through loving God and others, leading to completeness.

  • Hope in Christ's resurrected life means death cannot take life away.

• Reasons for the Name "Culture of Life"

  • Acknowledges all human life originates from and returns to God.

  • Rooted in love, bringing life through:

    • Sharing resources, especially with the needy.

    • Viewing all individuals, even those needing care, as gifts from God.

    • Perceiving life as inherently worth living, even with suffering, as love can transform it.