#Human dignity

[violottie]

This is what 5 months of intentional starvation looks like.

"Palestinians in Gaza demonstrate the impact of the Israeli and Egyptian blockade by stepping on scales to reveal their weight loss." from Mint Press, 15/Mar/2024:

[alwaysbewoke]

[idylls-of-the-divine-romance]

I say, "Ableism is bad." You say, "Ableists all live in their mom's basements and don't contribute anything to society!"

I say, "Misogyny is bad." You say, "Fuck all men."

I say, "Homophobia is bad." You say, "All religious people should be shot in the streets."

I say, "Racism is bad." You say, "White people are the devil."

I say, "Murder is bad." You say, "I hate any idiotic bitch who disagrees with this."

I say, "Body shaming is bad." You say, "Everyone who disagrees is ugly and has small dick energy."

I say, "Fascism is bad." You say, "Yeah, kill all nazis!"

To which I say: you do not know why ableism, misogyny, homophobia, racism, murder, and body shaming, and fascism are wrong.

Go, go and meditate on why these things are wrong and don't come back until you arrive at the answer.

[unbfacts]

Soldiers in the German Army can refuse orders that violate human dignity.

[apenitentialprayer]

Not going to touch the post that prompted this, but yes, you were made to worship God. God created you, and you specifically, because He wanted someone to receive His benefits (Irenaeus), because God wanted to create a space where a someone could respond to and reciprocate His love (Benedict XVI), because He wanted an Other to be able to experience and enjoy the Goodness that is Himself. God created us to be in relationship with Him. That is the essence and end goal of worship; to not only see God, but to experience, participate in, and enjoy God. And this is true of the person with the most dramatic mental deficiency you can imagine, of the person who suffers the most intense chronic pain you can imagine, of any other person that you or anyone else might deem better off dead than alive. Because God loves them, and their lives are infinitely valued.

[doctormaki12]

Say hi to this beautiful evil billy!🤭

[spidermartini]

[victusinveritas]

[justjudethoughts]

I really don't understand the need some people have to hate people just because they are famous. I often hear people say "I don't mind Taylor Swift's music, but I don't like her as a person" but when I ask them why, they pretty much only ever give two answers: 1) I don't like her fan base or 2) She only writes about breakups. Which, newsflash, neither of those things are ACTUALLY about her??? Why are we automatically judging the character of a person based on the fact that they are famous?

Also, this is not to say I agree with everything Taylor has ever done, because I don't. She supports a lot of things I wish she didn't. BUT she also supports a LOT of really, really good things. From the very beginning of her career she has been extremely charitable with her money. She is ridiculously giving to her fans as well. She is compassionate and empathetic, and if you don't believe me go read the story behind "Ronan." All of her interviews are very down-to-earth.

I don't know, the constant negativity surrounding her as a public figure, especially coming from Christians (I have read some downright *disgusting* comments about her from Christian Moms explaining why she's off limits in their house) just really rubs me the wrong way. Celebrities have Human Dignity, too. They aren't just some fictional character to be picked apart and analyzed and objecticfied and judged.

[cheerfullycatholic]

Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter. This principle, which is fully recognizable even by reason alone, underlies the primacy of the human person and the protection of human rights. In the light of Revelation, the Church resolutely reiterates and confirms the ontological dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God and redeemed in Jesus Christ. From this truth, the Church draws the reasons for her commitment to the weak and those less endowed with power, always insisting on “the primacy of the human person and the defense of his or her dignity beyond every circumstance.”

Dignitas Infinita, paragraph 1

[violottie]

never forgive. never forget.

from Palestine Lobby, as of 21/Feb/2024:

[st-george-and-the-dragon]

The judge and the "expert" interviewed here are using progressive, supportive language to justify the government-sponsored killing of a young woman while painting her father, who is doing his duty to protect his daughter, as negligent and uncaring.

As someone who has experienced severe mental illness, I cannot stress enough the kind of evil Canadians are facing right now. The ABSOLUTE LAST THING a mentally ill person should ever hear, from any government employee or progressive academic, is that it would be better for them if they did not exist.

That is what our brains told us, over and over. That is the message that took years of affirmation and love for me to overcome. If the institutions meant to protect me would have agreed with what my mental illness was telling me, I don't know what might have happened.

This is no longer a hypothetical problem. This is happening now. And if left unchecked it will spread far beyond Canada.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Ubuntu

The philosophy of Ubuntu is a traditional African ethical and philosophical concept that emphasizes community, interconnectedness, and shared humanity. Originating from the Bantu languages of southern Africa, the term "Ubuntu" can be translated as "I am because we are" or "humanity towards others." It reflects the belief that an individual's identity and well-being are deeply rooted in their relationships with others and that the community's welfare is integral to the individual's welfare.

Key Concepts in the Philosophy of Ubuntu:

Interconnectedness:

Communal Identity: Ubuntu posits that individuals are intrinsically linked to their communities. A person is not seen as an isolated entity but as part of a larger social fabric. This interconnectedness means that one's actions affect others, and the community's well-being is vital to each individual's well-being.

Relational Ontology: The concept suggests that being human is fundamentally about relationships with others. One's existence and identity are defined through interaction and connection with other people.

Human Dignity and Respect:

Inherent Worth: Ubuntu emphasizes the inherent dignity of every human being. It advocates for treating others with respect, compassion, and empathy, recognizing that everyone shares a common humanity.

Mutual Respect: In Ubuntu, respect is not merely a social nicety but a fundamental ethical obligation. Treating others with dignity is seen as essential to maintaining harmony and community cohesion.

Collective Responsibility:

Shared Responsibility: Ubuntu promotes the idea that members of a community have a collective responsibility for each other’s welfare. This includes supporting those in need, resolving conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Ethics of Care: The philosophy encourages an ethic of care, where individuals actively contribute to the well-being of others, understanding that their own well-being is tied to the community's overall health.

Social Harmony and Reconciliation:

Peace and Reconciliation: Ubuntu values social harmony and seeks to resolve conflicts through restorative rather than retributive justice. The goal is to restore relationships and repair the social fabric, often through forgiveness and reconciliation.

Consensus Building: Decision-making within an Ubuntu framework often involves consensus-building processes, where the views of all community members are considered, and solutions are sought that benefit the collective.

Solidarity and Cooperation:

Unity and Cooperation: Ubuntu emphasizes solidarity, cooperation, and unity among people. It encourages collaborative efforts in all aspects of life, from family and community to work and governance, with the understanding that collective action leads to greater success and fulfillment.

Generosity and Sharing: The philosophy promotes generosity and sharing of resources, knowledge, and support, reflecting the belief that prosperity is achieved through collective effort.

Humanism and Morality:

Moral Framework: Ubuntu provides a moral framework that stresses the importance of kindness, generosity, and ethical behavior. It encourages individuals to act in ways that enhance the community’s well-being and to avoid actions that harm others.

Human-Centered Philosophy: Ubuntu is deeply humanistic, focusing on the value and dignity of each person and the importance of fostering positive human relationships.

Application in Modern Contexts:

Leadership and Governance: Ubuntu has been influential in shaping leadership and governance in post-apartheid South Africa and other African nations. Leaders inspired by Ubuntu prioritize the welfare of their people, seek to heal divisions, and promote social justice.

Global Relevance: While rooted in African traditions, the principles of Ubuntu have been embraced globally as a model for ethical leadership, conflict resolution, and community building. It offers a counterpoint to individualistic and competitive models of society by emphasizing cooperation, empathy, and the common good.

Ubuntu in Philosophy and Ethics:

Comparative Ethics: Ubuntu is often compared with other ethical systems, such as Confucianism, which also emphasizes the importance of relationships and community. It offers a unique perspective on ethics that prioritizes collective well-being over individual autonomy.

Challenges and Critiques: Some critiques of Ubuntu focus on its potential for communal pressure to conform, possibly at the expense of individual freedom. Others argue that while Ubuntu provides a strong ethical foundation, it must be adapted to fit modern, diverse societies.

The philosophy of Ubuntu offers a profound and holistic approach to understanding human relationships, ethics, and community. It underscores the importance of interconnectedness, mutual respect, and collective responsibility, providing a framework for fostering social harmony and promoting the common good. Ubuntu's principles are increasingly recognized and applied beyond African contexts, resonating with global movements toward more compassionate, cooperative, and just societies.

[russia-libertaire]

"Egoism is not to be condemned without qualification. Egoism is not a vice. Egoism gleams in the eye of an animal. Moralists bravely thunder against it, instead of building on it. What moralists try to deny is the great, inner citadel of human dignity. They want to make men tearful, sentimental, insipid, kindly creatures, asking to be made slaves. But to tear egoism from a man's heart is to rob him of his living principles, of the yeast and salt of his personality. Fortunately this is impossible."

'A Remarkable Decade', in Russian Thinkers, by Isaiah Berlin

[apenitentialprayer]

In a world in which a lot is said about rights, how often is human dignity actually trampled upon! In a world in which so much is said about rights, it seems that the only thing that has any rights is money. Dear brothers and sisters, we are living in a world where money commands. We are living in a world, in a culture where the fixation on money holds sway.

Pope Francis, in his Address to the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People