Equality and human value

Equality Cannot Preserve Human Value!

This is not possible and it is why egalitarian cultures are so violent towards the unborn.

Why is this? Well, two things can be of equal value and still be of zero or little value. Two pennies are of precisely equal value. Two one hundred dollar notes are also of equal value. Equality is not a measure of intrinsic value. It is, however, a measure of comparative value.

Therefore, a society can say all people are of equal value and still be of no value. Like communism, where all people are equally valueless. I believe Thomas Hobbes made a similar case in one of his great works, noting that we are all equally valueless and therefore a tyrant needs to rule. These bleak views of humanity may include equality, but how does that help anyone? 

Value cannot be measured in a unit of comparison because what happens if society has a low view of humanity? Our modern society says humans are killing the environment but are the problems to be solved? Our society promotes a low value of humanity every day, in a thousand ways. What use is there in saying people are of equal value if you think of them more like pennies than precious jewels?

Value must be found in something that cannot be devalued. Hence, the Church was foolish to tie equality to the idea of human value because this comes from a source outside of the bible and has the effect of devaluing humanity. Value must be found in something that cannot be debased, therefore we need to base it solely on the concept of the image of God.

Humans are each created in God’s image and are therefore of great value intrinsically, no matter their size, age, mental capacity or abilities. We are of immeasurable value. A society that values humans as such, would not lay a hand on an infant to do it violence, either within or outside of the womb.

Matthew Littlefield writes to think through some of the current issues facing society, the Church and whatever else comes to mind that might be interesting to process. Matt's focus is usually historical or scriptural, though he will address current issues from time to time as well. He is a co-author of The Ezekiel Declaration and the book, Defending Conscience, How Baptists reminded the Church to defy tyranny. He blogs most days at YoungGospelMinister.blogspot.com.