Friday Night Theology

Whose Life Do We Value?

30 October 2009

It probably wasn't a surprise to hear this week that the number of Down's syndrome pregnancies has nearly doubled in the last 20 years, given that many women are increasingly delaying Motherhood. What might have been a surprise, though, is that the number of babies born with Down's syndrome has stayed constant: the number of screenings has increased and consequently more women are choosing to terminate rather than have a disabled child. Three babies are now aborted every day because of Down's syndrome, with 90% of women diagnosed with a Down's pregnancy opting to terminate.

No doubt many of these women face a painful and very difficult decision - with fears about how they will manage, the affect on their families and often concern for the quality of life of that child. As such, Down's organisations have been calling for greater support and counselling for women facing this situation. Furthermore, Frank Buckley, chief executive of Down Syndrome Education International said this, "People with Down syndrome are living longer and achieving more than ever before and it is reassuring to know that they will be continuing to make valued contributions to our communities for years to come." Of course, I'm encouraged that people are speaking up for the worth of those with Down's syndrome. But if we believe that all people are made in the image of God - regardless of race, gender or disability - then surely their worth and value is defined by that - not just in the contribution that they will make to their communities and in their achievements.

Sadly, our society seems to have adopted this kind of approach that bases the worth and value of people on the contribution they can make and how useful we think they'll be. If followed through this can have serious consequences for our attitude towards disabilities: it could imply that unless people with disabilities can be 'useful' or contribute to society, their life may be better not lived. But for one thing how do we define 'contribution'? Many families with children with Down's syndrome testify to the love and joy that they bring into their lives. And can we really presume to judge another person's quality of life? Many people suffer from conditions (including the millions with depression) which can impinge on their quality of life - how can we judge whether someone with Downs syndrome is worse off?

The challenge to the church is to model something radically different. Are we really recognising the worth of all people as made in the image of God? Do we pay more attention to the articulate, capable couple likely to lead our home groups and so on, than to those with physical or mental disabilities? What's more, do we recognise the contribution that many people with disabilities can bring and do we seek these out?

In all this, I'm not suggesting that raising a child with Down's would be easy - and as church communities we need to be offering love and practical support to the difficulties people may face as a result of disabilities within their families. But I don't believe for a second that when Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12 about the importance of the church working as a body, with each part needing the other, he meant to exclude those with disabilities. Consider what he says in verse 22, "In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary." Perhaps these words should cause us to reflect again on just whose life we value.

Susannah Clark, Public Theology Researcher