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 How do we value a life?

I know that sounds like a philosophical question but there are a whole lot of practical ramifications to any answer that you formulate to that question. At one end of the spectrum some religions teach that all life is sacred, that’s all-life humans, animals even insects. Some religious Individuals will try and live their life without killing anything even an insect. At the other end of the spectrum these are those who are such extremists they think life has no value at all. Some fanatics think other people’s lives are so worthless that they think nothing of killing people, even innocent people who don’t share their religious or world view. So just how valuable is a human life and maybe we should throw in the mix how valuable is animal life. 

It seems to me that in the UK today there's no consensus on this subject and most people when it comes to human life have no clear understand as to how they define the value of a life or even how or when ‘personhood’ should be ascribed to living creatures. Let me illustrate how confusing this has become. The statistical majority of people in the UK believe in abortion. Apparently around half of those same people would also say they want the right to terminate life when people are very sick, elderly or near death. In the UK currently over 20% of the UK population believe euthanasia should be allowed for older people who are “tired of living”. In Europe in places like Holland, Switzerland, and Belgium that percentage rises to over 80% Interestingly the vast majority of those very same people would say that they don’t believe in capital punishment. Let me be clear as I Christian I personally do not believe in capital punishment, and I believe I can argue that position from the teaching of the New Testament but that is beyond the scope of what I am talking about today. 

The point I trying to make today is just about the confusion and mixed messages that fly around when we discuss what is the value of life. I think it’s really interesting that most people who would argue for the right to euthanize elderly or sick people would at the same time be against abortion and capital punishment. Please understand, I’m not arguing for the death penalty. I’m just saying this subject needs to be thought through because it has some profound practical, religious and even political ramifications. 

To add to the confusion, I have spoken to many, many, young people who believe in abortion and euthanasia yet are strongly against the killing of animals. It seems to me that some will say it OK to kill an elderly or infirm adult because they is old and weary, but it’s not OK to kill a farm animal.. Another scenario demonstrates how confusing this issue has become today. Today in a hospital in the UK a premature baby can be born at 24 and the hospital staff will battle with all their resources to help that baby survive. Whilst at the same time in another room in the same hospital another a baby of up to 24 weeks will be being terminated.  

Confusing isn’t it.  I say this subject needs to be thought through biblically. What is the value of human life? What is the value of animal life? Is all life sacred? At what point can we bestow personhood on one of God’s creatures. Should all killing be considered wrong? If it's not how do we make the distinctions? How do you make the distinction and where do you draw the line? How valuable is a life? 

That's what I want to look at and hopefully get some clarity to help us to think through this subject and find the keys and ask what does the bible say about the value of life and what defines personhood?