identity: Why are we special?

‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? (Psalm 8:4)

Habits of Mind: Listening with understanding and empathy

In the Bible right from the outset, it is made clear that humans have a special value. Created imago dei, in the image of God, the Genesis 1 Creation story reflects a special status accorded humankind. And with that special status comes a special responsibility to be caretakers or good stewards of the world in which we find ourselves.

However you view the Creation story, it has a strong moral message about the intrinsic value of human life, and the moral responsibility humans have to the rest of the world. In other words humans are specially selected for an often daunting task!

The quotation from Psalm 8 also reflects a degree of humility that we mere mortals should be considered worthy of Gods care, once again emphasising the belief that each individual humans or person is valued.

The importance of the intrinsic value of each human life is sometimes referred to as the sanctity of life doctrine by religious people. Human life has value independently of whether a person is rich or poor, old or young, healthy or sick, considered useful or not and yes, even good or bad. For this reason it is a doctrine that protects the more vulnerable in society. It also counters an all too prevalent view that the more impressive or useful a person is the more value they have.

Our task is to see beyond our prejudices and judgments to see the uniqueness of each individual. We are all special and have a special responsibility to live in a way that dignifies the lives of others.

Christine Crossley