All human life is precious. Life is a gift from God for us to respect and protect through all its stages, from conception to natural death (Psalm 139).
Every person is created by God, in his image, and loved by him. Each person’s life has inherent worth and dignity (Gen. 1:26-27; John 3:16). Human dignity does not depend on our ability or circumstances; it flows from our creation in the image of God. We must treat people as bearers of God’s image, not as objects for our gratification. Our lives are not our own; they belong to God (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
Respect for life is a core principle in Canadian society. Section 7 of the Charter states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person…” The Supreme Court recognized that Canadian society is “based upon respect for the intrinsic value of human life and on the inherent dignity of every human being…” in the Rodriguez decision.
This belief compels the EFC to support the protection and promotion of life, to oppose practices that destroy or devalue human life, and to uphold the dignity of every person.