The "culture of death" is what occurs when society rejects the value of human life as a gift from God. It is made evident when people make decisions regarding life, not based on what is morally right by God, but on what benefits people personally. The "culture of death" is the acceptance by society that life is in our hands, and not in the hands of God. Therefore we assume that we have the power to choose who deserves to live or die. The mere toleration of crimes against life such as abortion, euthanasia, and prostitution are proof that we are today truly living in a "culture of death."

The "culture of death" is built upon the assumption that there is no God. As John Paul II states, "By living 'as if God did not exist,' man not only loses sight of the mystery of God, but also the mystery of the world and the mystery of his own being." (EV #22) It could be safely stated that our current "culture of death" has, as its c

When man denies or neglects God, man's values of being, become replaced with those of having. "When the sense of God is lost, there is also a tendency to lose the sense of man, of his dignity and his life." (EV #20) When the sense of God is lost, man becomes consumed with serving himself and loses love for human life. Christ reveals himself in every human being. Thus rejecting human life in any way is undoubtedly rejecting Christ.

ause, the absence of respect for the mystery of life. Life is seen as merely something else that can be controlled by man. This feeling of control increases the tendency for people to be more concerned with maximizing the "quality" of their lives, while de-emphasizing their concern with life as a whole. "The so-called 'quality of life' is interpreted primarily or exclusively as economic efficiency, inordinate consumerism, physical beauty and pleasure, to the neglect of the more profound dimensions-interpersonal, spiritual and religious-of existence."(EV #23) This denial of God's existence permeates most modern societies, especially those in the western culture. Its effects are widespread and commonplace.

In an attempt to "improve" their quality of life, people often turn away from doing good, to doing what feels "good." People in our society have chosen to turn away from God, and turn their at

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Approximate Word count = 912
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)