A culture of life describes a way of life based on the belief that human life begins at conception, and is sacred at all stages from conception through natural death. It opposes abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment (death penalty), studies and medicines involving embryonic stem cells, and contraception, because they are seen as destroying life. It also promotes policies that "lift up the human spirit with compassion and love." The philosophy of such a culture is a consistent life ethic.

In the United States, secular politicians such as George W. Bush have also used the phrase.

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|Capital punishment

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|Murder and suicide

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|Motherhood, fatherhood,

Matrimony, chastity, fidelity

Virtue

|Contraception

Human sterilization

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|Organ donation

|Euthanasia and then more fully expanded upon it in the 1995 encyclical Evangelium vitae ("Gospel of Life"):

Bibliography

Further reading

  • "Pope ends visit with frank talk", State Journal Register, Springfield, Illinois (August 16, 1993)
  • "Bush Woos Catholics On Abortion Nominee, Echoes Pope's 'Culture Of Life' Phrase", Boston Globe (October 9, 2000)
  • White House statement on Terri Schiavo "It should be our goal as a nation to build a culture of life, where all Americans are valued, welcomed, and protected..."
  • USCCB – The United States Council of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life site including many articles on the Catholic Church's varied aspects on the Culture of Life.
  • Bush Hails Progress Towards "Culture of Life" "President Bush told thousands of antiabortion marchers yesterday that his administration is making progress toward fostering a culture of life by enacting measures that limit abortion and stem cell research while expanding the legal definition of life."