Year 2 Term 5 - Dignity

Dignity is closely related to Respect. Human Dignity is an individual or group's sense of self-respect and self-worth, physical and psychological integrity and empowerment. Human dignity is inherent to every human being regardless of who they are or where they come from. Dignity means that people are allowed to be true to themselves, be different but accepted and not to be humiliated or embarrassed. How, then, shall Christians respond to pain and suffering in those who are unable to care for themselves? In considering this question, we must remember that the value and dignity of human life is grounded in the fact that God is the giver of life. Human worth does not alter with the level of usefulness of a person to society or the degree of suffering they are experiencing, for human worth is grounded in the image of God. A child, disabled person, or elderly person is no less the image of God than anyone else. Dignity means that everybody should be treated decently, be treated fairly and be able to be different and still be accepted.