The worth of a life

What is a life worth?  Are some lives worth more than others?   Human decency would say that all lives are worth the same, and society in general and the media in particular would declare that any other view is racist. However, the truth is that we apparently place more or less value on lives depending on where they are.

Over the past few years we have seen the media coverage and outpouring of sympathy and support when there is a terrorist attack or mass shooting in the States or Europe.  Facebook profiles take on the various hues of national flags or rainbows, and when they don’t, the absence is neither noticed or commented on. 

This past weekend ISSIS targeted a square in Kabul, Afghanistan.   Thousands of the Shia Hazara minority had gathered to protest the fact that powerlines were bypassing their communities when two suicide bombers set off explosives.  80 dead, over 230 injured, and the silence of the world was deafening. 

There were no Facebook tributes, nobody changed their profiles, no national leaders stood to voice their support for the victims or their contempt for the villains. 

Sometimes we need to remember that the Bible says: For God so loved the world. . . not just parts of the world.

Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.