Culture of life

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A culture of life describes a way of life based on the belief that human life begins at conception, and is sacred at all stages from conception through natural death.[1] It opposes abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment (also known as the death penalty),[note 1] studies and medicines involving embryonic stem cells, and contraception, because they are seen as destroying life.[5][6][7] It also promotes policies that "lift up the human spirit with compassion and love."[8] The term originated in moral theology, especially that of the Catholic Church, and was popularly championed by Pope John Paul II;[9][10] it has been widely used by religious leaders in evangelical Christianity as well.[11][12] The philosophy of such a culture is a consistent life ethic.[13]

In the United States, secular politicians such as George W. Bush and Kanye West have also used the phrase.[14][15][8] In 2004, the Republican Party included a plank in their platform for "Promoting a Culture of Life".[16]

  1. ^ Evangelium vitae.
  2. ^ "The Church's Anti-Death Penalty Position | USCCB". Archived from the original on October 16, 2011.
  3. ^ "Op-Ed: The Catholic Church's opposition to the death penalty began with previous popes". Los Angeles Times. August 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Pope Francis declares death penalty inadmissible in all cases". BBC News. August 2, 2018.
  5. ^ Evangelium vitae, p. 16.
  6. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 2019. Paragraphs 2276–2279.
  7. ^ Humanae vitae, pp. 15–18.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference leonard was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Grondelski was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference barry was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ George, Timothy; Guarino, Thomas G. (2015). Evangelicals and Catholics Together at Twenty: Vital Statements on Contested Topics. Brazos Press. ISBN 978-1-4934-0237-3.
  12. ^ Goodstein, Laurie (March 24, 2005). "Schiavo Case Highlights Catholic-Evangelical Alliance". The New York Times. Retrieved August 20, 2020. ... is testament to growing alliance of conservative Roman Catholics and evangelicals who have found common cause in 'culture of life' agenda ...
  13. ^ Rozell, M.; Whitney, G. (2007). Religion and the Bush Presidency. Springer. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-230-60735-4.
  14. ^ Kornhaber, Spencer (August 14, 2020). "Kanye West, Political Pawn". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference pew was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference platform was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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