Last updated on July 22, 2019
What if our world is a red pyramid? What are you talking about? Exactly. What if the intense, passionate opposition between people regarding bioethics burns on because people are assuming very different worldviews and speaking very different languages? How hard is it for a person who reads only English letters from left to right to read Hebrew characters in the other direction or Chinese characters from top to bottom? Impossible. But in that case, at least we would be able to recognize why we can’t communicate and that would be a place to start.
“Red pyramid world” is referring to the world of most people’s assumptions today. This world is only physical and temporal. If we have only a material nature for a very short time, it makes sense that we would do everything possible to be as happy as possible as much of the time as possible – before our life is over. Add to these assumptions that all living things are the result of accidental forces in a highly competitive, too often brutal society – thus is the general history of humanity and thus the red (bloody) pyramid (competing for control so more people support my life than my life supports) world. It does make perfect sense, in this world, to use every means possible to eliminate those things which threaten my happiness and pursue all things that increase and/or extend it. Abortion and euthanasia make sense here for two reasons; one is that being responsible for other, dependent people reduces my happiness and, two is that being a dependent person in red pyramid world is unhappy so why make someone endure it? In this world, we are not taking anything away from any form or combination of human cells if that set of sells is not “viable,” meaning capable of some hope of winning happiness. Why care about cells or let cells grow that will only be miserable and fail in red pyramid world? But is red pyramid world the real world or the only world?
What if there was another world called “green V world?” This world is generally the reverse and inversion of red pyramid world. Think of a stack of “V” shapes, each one supporting the others that are above; the two lowest “V’s” being God the Son and God the Father? “Headship” and authority serve responsibility and care-taking. In this world, masculinity is primarily concerned with bearing responsibility for others. In this world all things exist by God’s design; all things work together for good; nothing is wasted or useless. In this world the meta-physical or immaterial is essential while the material is an extension, a laboratory in which to learn about everything without mistakes being deadly or catastrophic. In this world happiness is also the goal but it is a very different kind of happiness; deeper, broader, more substantive and enduring. Happiness, in this world, is something the soul experiences when sacrificing the body for the well-being of another. This is a profound and powerful happiness for a few reasons. First, this happiness comes from realizing what it means to be made in the image of God. What could ever make us happier than doing what we are good at (or the very best at)? Second, this happiness is free and open; we do it by inspiration not compulsion, from fullness not emptiness, from contentment not desperation, from love not selfishness. There are always more people to love so the opportunities are endless and there is usually no line to wait in. Third, the corruption of our human nature makes our desires contrary to our living, regenerate soul. Therefore, spending our time and human nature in service to others; using it, fatiguing it, and wearing it out allows our living, regenerate soul to have the upper hand; to prevail for life and goodness. Fourth, because we are increasing the life of our soul by giving the life of the body for other living, eternal souls, the love we give has everlasting value. Green V world is the absolute algorithm; it answers every question, solves every puzzle, unlocks every door, always only ever chooses for life and because of the nature of this world, God’s creation, that means for the benefit of everyone’s life in time and eternity, in body and soul! Bioethical questions find universally different answers in this world.