Dr. Gary Ferngren and Dr. Marcus Borg (retired), both faculty of Oregon State University, debate issues of Christianity from dramatically different viewpoints. This is a three part series. Here is part 1:
For more debates regarding issues of faith and religion, see the Oregon State University Socratic Club.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Albert Schweitzer and Reverence for Life
In the final chapter of the book, Pilgrimage to Humanity, Albert Schweitzer—noted theologian, philosopher, musician, medical doctor, and humanitarian—records the conclusion of the speech he gave in 1954 upon winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking on the subject of world peace, Schweitzer says the following:
In American culture, we often hear about pro-life issues as it relates to abortion. Phrases such as the sanctity of life are employed to invoke a respect for human existence, more so perhaps, for the unborn. Given certain religious convictions, I certainly understand why people feel this way. I have been pro-life for the majority of my life. Today, although my views have changed in many areas, I still believe, however, that life is sacred and something that we should respect, even if my reasoning for believing this is somewhat different today than it was a decade ago.
Schweitzer believes that respect and reverence for life should extend beyond rhetoric. He concludes that reverence confers responsibility. His life was a blazing example of one who took this responsibility seriously. He sacrificed and gave of himself in extraordinary ways. His worldview and ethic of life rested upon this fundamental reverence for life wherever he found it. This is seen in everything he did individually, socially, and politically.
Our estimation of human worth will cause us to act in ways that affirm life rather than destroy it. This can not be limited to political platforms; it is so much broader than the care and protection of the unborn. We would be remiss and derelict if we protected a fetus' right to be born and then turn a deaf ear to its cries of hunger. Our ethic of life should compel us to care for the world's hungry, diseased, and destitute masses. World peace will only be achieved if we lay aside all the irrelevant things that divide us and together, work to devise ways to affirm life and extend love and compassion to all those in need.
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"Reverence for life includes an elemental concept of responsibility to which we must surrender ourselves. In it there are energies which compel us to a revision of the ennoblement of our individual, social, and political views and actions.
One's world-view is, therefore, the germ cell of all conceptions and convictions which are determinative for the behavior of individuals and of groups. "1
In American culture, we often hear about pro-life issues as it relates to abortion. Phrases such as the sanctity of life are employed to invoke a respect for human existence, more so perhaps, for the unborn. Given certain religious convictions, I certainly understand why people feel this way. I have been pro-life for the majority of my life. Today, although my views have changed in many areas, I still believe, however, that life is sacred and something that we should respect, even if my reasoning for believing this is somewhat different today than it was a decade ago.
Schweitzer believes that respect and reverence for life should extend beyond rhetoric. He concludes that reverence confers responsibility. His life was a blazing example of one who took this responsibility seriously. He sacrificed and gave of himself in extraordinary ways. His worldview and ethic of life rested upon this fundamental reverence for life wherever he found it. This is seen in everything he did individually, socially, and politically.
Our estimation of human worth will cause us to act in ways that affirm life rather than destroy it. This can not be limited to political platforms; it is so much broader than the care and protection of the unborn. We would be remiss and derelict if we protected a fetus' right to be born and then turn a deaf ear to its cries of hunger. Our ethic of life should compel us to care for the world's hungry, diseased, and destitute masses. World peace will only be achieved if we lay aside all the irrelevant things that divide us and together, work to devise ways to affirm life and extend love and compassion to all those in need.
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