Human Dignity and Equality

Dignity of the Human Person

• Human dignity is the fundamental equality of all human persons.
• Dignity is based on the common dignity shared by all people.
• Equality requires an interest in human beings and their moral obligations.
• Acknowledging the unique characteristics of each person is important.
• Each person shares features of humanity, but does so in different ways.
• Human dignity is the possession of basic rights, including the essential rights to shelter and clothing.
• It includes the right to free self-expression in social cooperation.
• It also includes the right to basic equality under the law.
• Human dignity equals basic respect for individuals that allows them to develop their potential.
• People should feel like they are contributing to a known and acknowledged community.
• Society should acknowledge and develop the worth of individual personhood.
• Social or biological handicaps do not lessen a person's worth.
• Human dignity does not have varying degrees and applies to everyone regardless of gender, age, religion, creed, race, or color.
• Humans have freedom and reason, thus cannot be used as objects.

Human Dignity: Christian Faith

• God created humanity in his image; male and female.
• Humans share in the divine image of God.
• Humans participate in God's divine Trinitarian nature
• This participation in the Trinity calls them to community with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Humans are called to be in communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as children of God.

Implications

• Humans are meant to live together in community.
• Humans are innately communitarian.
• They should live in justice and respect the community's laws.
• God has pity for human suffering and wishes for people to live with dignity.
• All forms of enslavement and oppression go against God's will.
• Human suffering must be abolished.
• God's will is done when conditions are created that are truly humane.

Biblical Sources of Human Dignity: Old Testament

• Exodus story: God saw the misery of the Israelite people in Egypt and heard their cries. He saved them from slavery and brought them to a land flowing with milk and honey.

Biblical Sources of Human Dignity: New Testament

• Gospels of the Lord: Jesus' message was to bring glad tidings to the poor, proclaim freedom to captives, restore sight to the blind and set the downtrodden free.
• Freedom and dignity: This message was not about authoritarian leadership but a message of hope about a just king that mediates the justice of God.
• Kingdom of God: Jesus' image of the kingdom signifies an environment where individuals can flourish, find peace, justice, and freedom.
• Blessings for the deprived: Jesus proclaimed blessings for the poor, hungry, and weeping.
• Sacrifice: Jesus' sacrifice ultimately underlines the worth of every individual as children of God.

Human Rights and Dignity

• Human rights are fundamental rights necessary for the exercise of human dignity.
• Rights are things, powers, or privileges that individuals are entitled to due to human nature.
• These rights are inalienable and do not depend on nationality, color, or creed.
• Human rights are inviolable, meaning they cannot be suppressed without moral responsibility.
• Respect for rights is the test of respecting human dignity.

Two Kinds of Rights:

• Natural rights: Rights conferred by human nature.
• Legal rights: Rights specified by national and international laws.

Dimensions of the Human Person

• Physical: Right to life, security, and physical integrity.
• Spiritual: Right to freedom of conscience, worship, and belonging to a religious community.
• Moral: Right of conscience and to form conscience, information relevant to conscience-formation, and education.
• Personal: Freedom of movement, employment choices, choosing a marriage partner.
• Social: Nationality and to be a member of society.
• Sexual: Rights to marry, and have children, and protection against discrimination.
• Intellectual: Right to truth and developing intellectual abilities, protection from unjustified censorship.
• Economic: Right to own property, enter contracts, work, just compensation, and form unions.
• Political: Right to vote, form political parties, stand for office, and run for office.
• Cultural: Rights to use and foster one's language and cultural identity.
• Artistic: Right to artistic expression and to develop artistic abilities.

Activity

• How are these rights violated?
• Give examples of human rights violations in the Philippines.
• How can we promote human rights in our community? 3 feasible actions.

Conclusion

• Thank you and God bless you.