The ethical contradiction of the Paralympics

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Published: Monday, 19 September 2016 23:21

Written by James Dean

I'm sure like me you've enjoyed watching the incredible performances being given race after race at the Rio Paralympics. The medals won were almost insignificant compared to the stories of the physical and mental trials overcome to appear and compete. The attitudes of many spectators were changed by what they witnessed and this year's games have been hailed a marvellous success in spite of news reports in the preceding weeks saying that most tickets remained unsold.

Having travelled with my family to watch the London Paralympics in 2012 and marvelled at the sheer determination put in by people who, in spite of their disabilities, are still far better athletes than I have ever dreamed of being, I remain in awe of those we saw. It was incredible.

Yet while the world hails these few as sporting wonders I am painfully reminded that the world also condones - no that's not strong enough - actively encourages parents to abort babies who might grow up to be future Paralympians while they are still in the womb.

These are human beings, made in the image of God. Yet we have seared consciences. On the one hand we applaud extraordinary effort to overcome pain and adversity and on the other we say that their lives aren't worth living and should be ended before they have even begun.

Clearly I'm not alone in seeing this horrific parallel. To quote from Archbishop Cranmer's blog: 

"As we watch these deeply impressive individuals parade in their victorious homecoming; as they blast away prejudice and we celebrate their diversity; as they receive in due course their peerages, knighthoods, damehoods and various appointments to the Order of the British Empire for services to sport, let us remember not only their spectacular personal achievements, but also the profound inspiration they are, the supreme pleasure they give, and the pride we feel that they have come second in the whole world, beaten only by a nation of more than a billion.

And then ask why we are content to justify the ethical incoherence of the routine abortion of diffabled babies who might grow up to be just like them. And beaten by China, where baby girls are routinely terminated just for being girls."

Let's pray that God would give us soft hearts that love his creation, recognise the darkness of this current world and actively work to protect the sanctity of life both before it begins and before it ends.

Running together

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Published: Monday, 15 August 2016 23:10

Written by James Dean

It's been hard to avoid the sporting battles going on at the Rio 2016 Olympics the last week. Even if you wanted to, every day the newspapers, websites and social media are full of photographs and stories of winners, losers and "also-rans". In sporting terms, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of most athlete's careers. The names of the winners are sometimes unfamiliar to us. They come out of nowhere, compete, win and disappear again.

However, there are some athletes who are there for the long haul and just keep coming back. The American swimmer, Michael Phelps, has now won more Olympic medals himself than entire countries (as I write, it's 28 medals, 23 of which are gold) and is counted as the most decorated Olympian ever. Even Great Britain has seen dominance over several Olympics in events such as rowing and cycling with competitors returning and retaining titles. These have all been won with incredible individual and team effort.

What can be said about every competitor is that they all arrive with the same hope. If they're being honest, none of them are just there for the atmosphere: they want a medal.

They have not spent the last 4 years sitting around at home watching TV or eating, drinking and being merry! No, they have been training and training and training. They've given themselves completely to that goal, often at the expense of time with family and friends. They've shown incredible levels of self control, not giving in to things that, while they aren't necessarily bad for them, they don't help them get towards their target... they aim to win.

The Apostle Paul was familiar with this and had clearly seen athletes train in Roman times. He knew what it took to compete; he too knew what it was to give things up for his goals, albeit with a different goal in view. When he wrote to the Corinthians he said:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Cor 9:24-27)

In the Christian life then we are to exercise self control, not so that we will win a medal or a wreath, but that we will "win" a prize that will never rust or perish, one that cannot be stolen or sold. We persevere in the power of the Holy Spirit to the end; we don't give up; we don't give in; we press on towards eternity and win the crown of life!

So how is your "training" going? Are you making strides in your walk with God? What is distracting you? Are there things (sinful habits, wrong attitudes) that you need to throw aside because they're weighing you down? What is stopping you from living completely for Christ?

Remember that we don't run alone. That's one of the wonderful benefits of being part of a local church - God's people running together, encouraging each other, spurring one another on to love and good works. Are you making the most of our church? Are you helping to strengthen the faith of others as they strengthen yours? Let's glorify our great God as we show that love to one another.