2006-01-22

Human Dignity

Nowadays we see the progress in technology and science, especially on the electronic field. A few days ago, a rocket blasted off to explore the ninth planet in our solar system--Pluto; one scientist was quoted as saying "the information we know about Pluto can be written on a postage stamp." Also recently, another space probe that gathered dust from a comet and from deep space came back; analysis will follow in the coming months. The society however has stagnated; no progress at all in the road to peace. Wars and social degradations continue, not different from what we read from history and even from the Bible.

"Kidnapping and hostage taking bring on a reign of terror; by means of threats they subject their victims to intolerable pressures. They are morally wrong. Terrorism threatens, wounds and kills indiscriminately; it is gravely against justice and charity. Torture which uses physical or moral violence to extract confessions, punish the guilty, frighten opponents, or satisfy hatred is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity. Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations and sterilizations perfomed on innocent persons are against the moral law (cf. Denzinger-Schonmetzer, Enchiridion Symbolorum, definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et morum 3722)" CCC 2297.

Where is human dignity? When can we realize that we as humans are all brothers and sisters living in a small planet? When can we ban all crimes against humanity, crimes that only multiply the misery around? What's the use of all this progress if nobody can enjoy it? Is the answer, my friend, "blowing in the wind?"

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