Being Human

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"Human" is a word that's being misused by leftists. The murder of innocent children through abortion has been called a "human right." Sodomy and so-called transgenderism are called "human rights." 

But the actual definition of "human" is being ignored and purposely obfuscated. The great theologian Fr. John Hardon describes a human as "a living substance, composed of a material body that dies and a spiritual soul that is immortal." In other words, humans — simply referred to as "man" by philosophers — are a composite of both a physical human body and an immortal, immaterial soul. 

Man is best described as a "rational animal." It's the rational part of the soul that is bestowed by God. In that rationality, God's image and likeness are evident in that man can self-reflect and exercise free will to do good or evil.

Animals act by instinct, stimulus or conditioning. They have no knowledge of themselves. An animal cannot say "I" because the brute does not know itself. An ape, for instance, may exhibit an uncanny intelligence — even to the point of learning sign language. But a person could never hope to sit down with Koko the gorilla and argue over the definition of "apeness."

There was a time when, on television or in a movie, a person would ask some wrinkled sage, "Master, what is the purpose of life?" and the guru would give some nebulous and non-specific answer.

It's true that the question is asked by everyone, but the answer is shockingly easy. In fact, a person only needs to consult the Baltimore Catechism. It provides the true answer: "God made me to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven."

This reality, however, is denied by so many people. Although people must live in this world, their ultimate home is in Heaven with God.

Learn more by watching The Download — Being Human.

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