Modern society’s beliefs and views are unjust and hypocritical. From childhood to adulthood, individuals learn countless life lessons including the fundamental lesson about the value of human life – that killing another human being is wrong. Children understand that killing goes against both legal regulations and religious morals and beliefs. However, society is continuously exposed to violence in various forms such as media portrayals or real-life incidents on a daily basis. Consequently, the worth of human life, particularly among young individuals, becomes uncertain. The lack of value placed on unborn or newly born lives is evident through numerous instances of child murder and abortion. In many cases, these young lives are denied recognition as “people” and deprived of their inherent human rights and freedoms. Presently, both born and unborn young lives are treated more like commodities rather than treasured beings filled with wonder.
The media frequently reports on accidents, shootings, and robberies, highlighting the prevalence of unjust acts in our daily lives. What is even more disturbing is the significant amount of coverage dedicated to parents who accidentally or violently kill their own children. Parents, who are supposed to be nurturing and supportive caregivers, have a profound influence on everything their children say and do. It is truly difficult to comprehend how some parents would willingly put their children’s lives at risk.
Recent news stories revolve around a mother poisoning her son and a father slashing his son’s throat with a knife – both instances where the parent abuses their authority. These helpless and defenseless children become victims of their parents’ mental instability in many cases. One heart-wrenching case involves a mother who claims to have been plagued by delusions about hell when she took the life of her twenty-month-old child. Despite committing this horrific act, she was deemed not criminally responsible due to her apparent psychosis at the time and was committed to a psychiatric hospital.
Such occurrences seem all too common nowadays, leaving young victims without proper justice. The text brings attention to several cases where parents suffering from mental illnesses tragically harm their own children, like Diana Yano serves as an example:
She vaguely recalls intentionally drowning her children in a bathtub, believing it was better for them to be dead.
The father who slit his son’s throat had a history of manic depressive illness, which led to his legal insanity. It is significant that his ex-wife knew about his breakdowns and still entrusted their children to him. She also recalls the worried expression in his eyes when he stopped taking medication. This raises concerns regarding family members who were aware of these mental conditions but disregarded the safety and well-being of the children. Such behavior can be viewed as disrespectful and neglectful towards these vulnerable individuals who lack understanding and control over their surroundings – qualities that any responsible adult should acknowledge.
In a different scenario, there is a single, young mother who attends high school and currently faces charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence. The unfortunate incident involves the death of her ten-month-old son due to a drug overdose. Upon conducting an autopsy, it was discovered that the baby had lethal levels of codeine in his blood, along with the presence of morphine within therapeutic limits.
Evidence presented during testimonies revealed that the mother had been prescribed liquid codeine several weeks prior to her son’s demise. While she did not face second-degree murder charges due to her responsible care for her child – evident from his good grooming and nutrition – this raises concerns about whether such care justifies allowing her son to consume her prescribed medication.
If she truly prioritized his well-being, considering the level of attention she provided before his death, she would have taken him to the hospital or consulted a doctor. However, instead of seeking professional help, she willingly administered a lethal dose of codeine and also inexplicably gave him morphine. This tragic act prematurely ended her own child’s life, indicating a disregard for young human life.
Moreover, similar cases involving disabled children also demonstrate an alarming lack of value for their lives.A distressing case in Kitchener, Ontario involves a mother who stands accused of fatally stabbing her mentally handicapped daughter. No excuses can justify the consequences faced by the parent involved in such heinous actions. The accompanying headline for this article was deeply disturbing, as commendations were given to the mother accused of murdering her child for being an exceptional parent due to her support and active involvement in the school where Ashley attended. The principal noted that Ashley was highly popular and well-liked by everyone, drawing people towards her. It is perplexing why her mother couldn’t provide the same level of attention. Ashley had Down syndrome, a genetic condition causing cognitive disabilities and physical deformities in facial features and speech patterns. Investigations continue to determine the motive behind this tragedy at the time of writing this article. Despite being young and having a handicap, Ashley remained a unique individual. Another article provides a different perspective on this issue.
This article discusses the lack of essential educational and social services provided to children in Canada. It emphasizes that Canadian legislation does not explicitly recognize children’s rights, leading to adults imposing arbitrary limits on their freedoms. Consequently, children are not treated as equals.
Senator Landon Pearson, the founding chairwoman of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC), strongly disagrees with this viewpoint. She believes that including children in legislation is crucial to raise awareness about their rights as human beings. Without legal recognition, children can be mistreated or even killed without consequences because they are not seen as real individuals.
The article also highlights the repeal of Section 43 of the criminal code, which previously allowed parents and teachers to use reasonable force for discipline purposes. Shockingly, this provision has been abused to justify acts like punching a child or pushing them down stairs. An interesting point mentioned is that only children in Canada can be physically assaulted without due process being followed.
The pressing issues at hand highlight a major concern in a country that prides itself on freedom. While there is hope for the future protection of children’s human rights, sadly, numerous children are already facing dire circumstances.
The issue of abortion is a serious matter concerning children’s rights and raising ethical and moral questions. Court rulings have established that women have the right to terminate a pregnancy through abortion in the first trimester, but there have been subsequent restrictions on this procedure. It was previously believed that Canadian society had sufficient knowledge about abortion. However, the booklet “Abortion in Canada” reveals that this belief was misguided as offering abortion did not lead to improved sexual morality; instead, teenage pregnancies have significantly increased. Furthermore, certain sexual education courses promote a self-indulgent lifestyle without regard for morals. Abortion is presented as an option within this self-centered way of life for cases of contraceptive failure. While legalizing abortions aimed to eliminate dangerous illegal procedures, it actually resulted in their increase rather than decrease. The booklet argues throughout that abortion has devalued human life and shown a lack of respect for the unborn while causing two other negative impacts on society.
The act of infanticide, which involves actively or passively ending the life of a newborn deemed to have a life deemed unworthy, was once seen as a woman’s right but is now legally permissible. This raises the question of whether a woman who can elect to terminate her baby’s life in the womb also has that same right after giving birth. Surprisingly, it seems that she does. In the United States, medical journals provide evidence of doctors participating in infanticide without legal repercussions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that infanticide essentially amounts to homicide and entails taking innocent human lives.
Another consequence worth considering is euthanasia or mercy killing, where one terminates the life of a dependent individual for their perceived benefit. Society may view older individuals who are sick and dying as worthless and consequently deprive them of their basic human rights.
When doctors are willing to perform abortions, it is crucial to analyze the motives of the mothers who justify these actions. Some reasons cited for abortion include preserving the mother’s life, expecting a child with disabilities, and instances of rape and incest. However, these justifications only make up 3% of all abortions. The majority of abortions are done for convenience and economic factors. Having a child entails significant responsibility, and if individuals are unable to handle the consequences of sex in a responsible and mature way, they should refrain from it. This perspective represents a stringent Catholic viewpoint.
The argument against abortion, as presented by Pope Paul II, is deeply rooted in religious beliefs. He uses various religious texts, such as the Bible, to support his viewpoint. By citing Matthew 19:17, Paul II emphasizes the importance of following the ten commandments for leading a virtuous life and attaining eternal life. The foundational commandment of “You shall not kill” forms the basis of his opposition to abortion.
In his work “The Gospel of Life,” Paul II highlights that cherishing, respecting, and promoting life is significant. It is crucial to embrace God’s plan for procreation with love and intent to multiply in order to uphold life. On the contrary, engaging in abortion or ending young lives contradicts this purpose. These actions not only end an innocent human being’s life but also terminate a child created by God.
Furthermore, according to Paul VI’s “Humanae Vitae,” man does not possess ultimate authority over matters of life and death; instead, he serves as a caretaker of God’s plan. Paul II affirms the sacredness and inviolability of human life by emphasizing that it is a divine gift since humans were made in God’s image. Only God has the right to oversee an individual’s journey from birth until death; no one else has the privilege to destroy an innocent human being, particularly an unborn child.
Man should assume the role of defending innocence rather than annihilating it because killing an innocent person is a result of being deceived by the Devil.Only Satan takes pleasure in causing the death of the living. The commandment “You shall not kill” serves as an unbreakable boundary that must be respected, reminding humanity to cherish and value life. The Didache, an ancient Christian writing outside of the Bible, also prohibits abortion or killing children and condemns those who commit such acts, highlighting their sinful nature. Throughout its history, the Church has consistently emphasized the importance of this first commandment. Murder is considered one of the gravest sins as it involves ending the life of a being created in God’s image. The crux of this commandment pertains to innocent individuals, especially defenseless and vulnerable ones like unborn babies or infants. Taking the life of an innocent being, particularly at its beginning or end, is morally incorrect and can never be justified for any positive outcome. The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith asserts that no one has the right to allow or request the killing of an innocent human being – whether they are a fetus, embryo, infant, or adult. Furthermore, no authority can legitimately endorse or permit such actions. According to the Second Vatican Council, both abortion and infanticide are seen as abhorrent crimes. Legalizing these crimes within society blurs the moral distinction between good and evil while jeopardizing the right to life itself.
The decision to have an abortion is a painful and tragic one for the mother, as she not only gives up potential life but also a part of herself. According to Pope Paul II in “The Gospel of Life,” no serious or tragic circumstances can justify intentionally killing an innocent human being. Ultimately, the choice to have an abortion lies with the mother and can be influenced by factors such as coercion or abandonment by the child’s father, family and friends’ opinions, and even legislation supporting its legalization. Encouraging sexual behaviors among individuals who cannot care for a child also contributes to this issue. Paul II believes that no circumstance or law can justify actions that go against God’s law, which is discerned through reason and affirmed by the Church. He emphasizes that only God has the authority to grant and take away life, as he provides fully formed bodies and breath.
Sadly, despite freedom of speech, many people today feel unable to think or express their own opinions. This non-discriminatory society discriminates against unborn and newborns who are voiceless and not recognized as individuals with rights. It is important to remember that these vulnerable beings are human too and deserve dignity. Abortion and murder not only eliminate potential life but also reveal the prevailing ignorance in our society, where killing is seen as a solution for what is perceived as worthless lives.
