This strikes me as a patently atheistic term, but is it?
I am trying not to go off on a tangent and nail down some long-suffering book projects, so thought I would throw this out there.
Would any of our well-read readers happen to know when this term first entered the English language?
If so, did it have a Latin, Greek or other origin?
When exactly did the prolongation of the corporal body become the sacred object of the human condition?
When did regard for the soul or spirit or mind or autonomous will depart to make way for the obsession with its vehicle?
Why might it be that current group-think is wedded to the credo that the sweating, pissing, shitting, bleeding, world-eating human body, in its teaming, festering billions is sacred?
The ancient Jewish writings and more modern Christian writings deal with this quite a bit. Being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), being knit together in our mothers womb (Psalm 139:13-14) and being a "temple" (1 Cor 6:19-20)
That would make the language both Greek and Hebrew in origin. Christians would define the term "Sanctity of Life" to mean the care, nurturing, and control of the vessels containing our souls not necessarily the longevity or accomplishments of said vessels.
Take for example characters such as Samson who was known for the strength and sacrifice of his vessel and Abraham who was willing to give up his own son in a striking example and foreshadowing of the vessel sacrifice of Jesus.
Thanks, Sean.
I was hoping for some theological source. It just seems to me that atheism, as currently practiced, sets man up as God, as well as confusing the vessel with the occupant.
Speaking to friends who work in hospitals, it is absolutely horrific how the bodies of suffering people are literally milked for any billable extension of clinical life.
Thinking about this I think it came from the anti-abortion crowd. Maybe not but that's what popped in my head.