In terms of the way we value persons, we have come a long way. Despite the strident protestations of any born-again atheists who might be reading this page (and if you are, why?), we largely have the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Gospels to thank for the advancements we have made, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. I cannot think of any other ancient document that so clearly and so eloquently asserts the value of persons and for the simple reason that we are made by God.
We are made by love for the purpose of love and to be beings and creatures of love. We of course are to blame for what we have done to ourselves, making us very flawed and very imperfect and tarnished souls. If you don't believe me, then just have a look at some of the horrors that humans have unleashed on one another throughout our history. Genocides, anyone? The Rohingya in Myanmar, the Tutsis in Rwanda, our own indigenous peoples, the Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals and persons with disabilities in Nazi Europe, Stalin's purges, the mass butcherings of Chinese people under Mao and the attempted cultural genocide against the Uyghur people, and I could go on and on with this sad and depressing theme.
But we have come a long way. Human rights are now enshrined and internationally recognized. And we still have a long way to go, because the various nations that are signatories of said UN documents have been very selective in their interpretations. For example, Canada, the global boy scouts, where housing still is not recognized as a human right, and the medical profession does not consider teeth to be part of the human body so that dental care is not covered in our public health cre, and where wealthy immigrants are always welcomed instead of refugees who historically have always contributed way more to the growth and wellbeing of the nation.
We still have a long way to go, and for one simple reason. It is our failure to love. We are very selective, still, about whom we value. Because we are so hobbled by selfish fear and greed! Whether they are people from our own country, or "hard-working Canadians", or people of your preferred race, ethnicity or religion (no, I don't give preference to Christians, should you care to ask, Gentle Reader!). Or how about the preference given to people with money and middle class credentials and other baggage of privilege?
This is important because we are now living in the shadow of global unrestrained and rapacious capitalism. We are seeing the fallout here in our own dear little Canada. Those who do not adapt to, and thrive under capitalism become collateral damage to the kind of greed and ruthless competition that is trampling underfoot many of our most cherished human rights while completely flipping the bird to our value and dignity as persons. If that were not so, then why do we have this crisis of homelessness, here in Canada, a wealthy developed country, and right here in Vancouver, one of the most coveted cities on earth?
Where is our love? We have become hostages to greed, fear and selfishness. We have to reject this. If we really want to ratify the beautiful teachings of Jesus and also what is found in the very best of other religious faiths, then we have to embrace repentance. It is our failure to value others that has dug us into this steadily deepening grave. It is our refusal and resistance to love unconditionally that blinds us to the value we all share as persons, and which also creates this arrogant indifference towards other species and the environment that is still problematic in many parts of the world, and here in Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan, anybody?).
I really wonder just what is it going to get to pull our heads out of our collective ass! Any ideas?
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