Although a
growing loss of Christian faith and values preceded it, the acceptance of
abortion in most western nations starkly marked the beginning of western
decline. One bright spot this week was the European Union’s refusal to consider
abortion a human right.
But that
victory was narrow, and may be only a flickering light in the encroaching
darkness. The disposal of babies surviving abortions is a step towards infanticide.
By withholding personhood from a newborn until about age two would extend, beyond
the womb, the period where parents could discard the child. Peter Singer, together
with other ethicists, actively debated this idea.
But back to
this week. Holland, the cradle of a widening group permitted euthanasia—which has
given rise to widespread abuse—has extended the practice of euthanasia to
children, adding greater danger to the least defenceless of us.
Last
May, the American Psychiatric
Association (APA),
released
the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5). Only this week it has come to public awareness, that in this first new
edition in 10 years, the APA described pedophilia as a “sexual orientation.”
This parallels
pedophilia with homosexuality, the latter now generally accepted as a permissible
sexual orientation. But the suggested acceptance of the preferences of
“minor-attracted persons,” praised by B4U-ACT, a pedophiliac support program, places
underage children at risk for seduction and sexually transmitted diseases.
While the
APA responded that the phraseology was “an error,” it will remain in their
manual for perhaps another decade fostering continuing discussion of its legitimacy.
It is not
rocket science to recognize the creeping culture of death in western “civilization.”
It targets the totally vulnerable unborn first, then progresses to the most vulnerable—the
aged, infirm and children. Yet criminals, notably murderers, continue to have
protection from the death penalty.
The
deepening loss of the value of human life parallels the widening acceptance of
sexual practices. Both lead to untimely deaths, from humans who are able to
dispose of their counterparts, and from sexually transmitted diseases responding
to unnatural sexual liaisons.
The Christian
roots of law in the west with its sanctity of life approach, has traditionally ensured
the protection of all human life, including the unborn. I am not aware of any other
religion, philosophy of life, or national structure, which has ever provided
this.
By shedding Christian
beliefs, our liberal democracies are leading us into a menacing dark age where human
life has lost its inviolable status and all human life will be at risk. We have
dispensed with the Source of life.
So the words
of Scripture become increasingly relevant: “In Him was life, and that life was the light
of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood
it” John 1:4-5.
