Value of human life boiled down to appearance (Full Version)

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OneOfHisJewels -> Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/3/2008 12:10:30 AM)

After I saw the two faced indian baby in the Current Events folder, it reminded me of a pair of conjoined twins I had heard about, which got me a googling. This led me to find various forms of birth defects/oddities. I came across a page about Juliana Wetmore, a little girl with a severe case of Treacher Collins syndrome, so she was born without 30 to 40 % of her facial bones. If you look in parenting, under the folder "Amazing Parents," I have a link to her webpage. I am so impressed with her parents' love for God and for her, and for her strength. Well, I was looking up information about her, and while many different webpages were supportive, some people were very cruel, saying she should have been euthanized at birth, they would kill her now if they saw her, etc.

Then when I saw the thread in Current Events about the pink dog in Colorado, it reminded me of the JonBenet Ramsey case. So, I googled her. Hundreds and hundreds of people said things such as "She shouldn't have died BECAUSE SHE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL."

It is really bad that society has come to the point where beauty, or lack thereof, is a deciding factor in people's opinions of whether or not people should even be alive. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate beauty, and admire it when I see it, but that should have nothing to do with who we think should and shouldn't be here on this earth.



9drtr -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/3/2008 12:55:56 AM)

It is a sign of a degenerate society that anything other than humanity - and arguably guilt in a capital offense - is a deciding factor in whether one lives or dies.



lw9 -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/3/2008 1:20:04 AM)

OneOfHisJewels:

That is really an excellent observation of society's bias that I always knew existed, but your comparison just hit me like a Mack truck and brought home the point. Wow.

It makes me really sad.



Annie64 -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/3/2008 3:39:21 AM)

Wow! I never would have thought to put people's cruel comments about an "ugly" child side by side with people's comments about a beautiful one and make such a comparison! It really shows that what our society values most is no more than skin deep. [&o]



car2ner -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/3/2008 8:59:07 AM)

But it has always been that way... when all we know about people is their appearance, that is what you make a judgement on. It is harsh not to think past appearance, though. Sometimes a person is just speaking carelessly when they equate beauty to value.



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/3/2008 10:48:38 AM)

quote:

But it has always been that way..



Yes, but I had never heard it boiled down to the extremes of life and death before.



car2ner -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/4/2008 7:45:57 PM)

I agree. I wonder if someone asked them if a person's life should be judged worthy by their appearance, they would be stunned that you would even ask. Yet, they carelessly say remarks like, "it is a shame, she was so pretty...."



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/4/2008 7:54:24 PM)

Something else I've noticed the past few years (though it has gone on for many years) is that missing persons reports are spread more rapidly and receive more media attention if a person is attractive. Same goes for reports of murder. Think about how many people are murdered each day... it's mostly the pretty ones who receive the most attention. Is their life more valuable??



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 9:22:31 AM)

That sad thing is what is beautiful? Is the soul or outward apperance? I myself would rather have a friend who is plain as dirt, than someone who is beautiful, and vain. I have some very plain friends the longer you know them, they seem so attractive. Though just because someone is beautiful does not make the bad either. I have three daughters all beautiful, the oldest is strikingly beautiful, I have people, even in church, come up to me and say " Your oldest daughter is so beautiful." That is infront of the other two, which shoots their esteem down to nothing the way our society works. The other two are very pretty also, just overshadowed by older DD extreame beauty. Though the oldest has a beautiful heart also, so it is not her fault she is not vain at all; in fact I think, she has a low selfworth.



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 11:23:46 AM)

quote:

the oldest is strikingly beautiful, I have people, even in church, come up to me and say " Your oldest daughter is so beautiful."



I am the second of four daughters, and the exact same thing used to happen to our family. Then, of course, right after that they had to make some comment about her not looking like the rest of us. Each statement by itself wouldn't have have been so bad, but put together was just devastating. Honestly, I think part of the reason she seemed to stand out more was simply because she was blonde, and none of the rest of us were, and, although that's changing, American society for years made a big deal about blondes.

That's why all my life I have tried to be very tactful about how I deal with a group of siblings. I try very hard not to compare, and to say something nice about each one. Only once did I blow it, and even then, I didn't even bring up the words pretty or beautiful, just when I was working at McDonald's, a mom and two daughters were eating, and one girl had curly hair, and I told her I liked her curls. The other girl gave the look like she was so sick of hearing that (and believe me, other than the curly/straight hair things, these girls looked identical, and they were both pretty), and I felt so bad, I slinked away. When I thought it back over, I wished I would've said to the other girl, "And I love your straight hair too, I sometimes wish I had straight hair because I find my curly hair hard to work with sometimes, " because that would've been true, because I do have curly hair, and it can be a challenge, at times (if you're wondering about the avatar it was flat ironed that day).



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 11:37:07 AM)

I don't know about blondes I am one, always thought brunettes, redheads were more noticed. a My oldest is darker aburen haired. also with curly hair that has to be flat ironed (LOL). I think you are very pretty also. I am glad for people like you, that try and make everyone feel special. You know, I do not care if a person has two teeth, no teeth, or crooked teeth, or perfect teeth. If they smile at me, it seems the most beautiful smile. I know random, but was thinking of the actor Robert Duvall, he does not have perfect teeth, he is bald, and not so young. I find him very attractive though, because of his smile. Ok I know wierd, sorry.[:D]
quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

quote:

the oldest is strikingly beautiful, I have people, even in church, come up to me and say " Your oldest daughter is so beautiful."



I am the second of four daughters, and the exact same thing used to happen to our family. Then, of course, right after that they had to make some comment about her not looking like the rest of us. Each statement by itself wouldn't have have been so bad, but put together was just devastating. Honestly, I think part of the reason she seemed to stand out more was simply because she was blonde, and none of the rest of us were, and, although that's changing, American society for years made a big deal about blondes.

That's why all my life I have tried to be very tactful about how I deal with a group of siblings. I try very hard not to compare, and to say something nice about each one. Only once did I blow it, and even then, I didn't even bring up the words pretty or beautiful, just when I was working at McDonald's, a mom and two daughters were eating, and one girl had curly hair, and I told her I liked her curls. The other girl gave the look like she was so sick of hearing that (and believe me, other than the curly/straight hair things, these girls looked identical, and they were both pretty), and I felt so bad, I slinked away. When I thought it back over, I wished I would've said to the other girl, "And I love your straight hair too, I sometimes wish I had straight hair because I find my curly hair hard to work with sometimes, " because that would've been true, because I do have curly hair, and it can be a challenge, at times (if you're wondering about the avatar it was flat ironed that day).



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 11:51:33 AM)

quote:

I don't know about blondes I am one, always thought brunettes, redheads were more noticed.


It always seems better on the other side, huh?[;)]



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 11:54:13 AM)

quote:

I think you are very pretty also. I am glad for people like you, that try and make everyone feel special.



Ah, thank you for both compliments. You are quite pretty yourself, and I'm not just saying that because you said it to me. I really I had thought that, I just hadn't bothered saying anything. Also, judging from all of your posts that I have read, you seem to have a beautiful spirt.



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 11:55:46 AM)

Thank you, and ditto to you on the spirit issue.[:D]
quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

quote:

I think you are very pretty also. I am glad for people like you, that try and make everyone feel special.



Ah, thank you for both compliments. You are quite pretty yourself, and I'm not just saying that because you said it to me. I really I had thought that, I just hadn't bothered saying anything. Also, judging from all of your posts that I have read, you seem to have a beautiful spirt.



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 11:58:33 AM)

quote:

You know, I do not care if a person has two teeth, no teeth, or crooked teeth, or perfect teeth. If they smile at me, it seems the most beautiful smile.



Isn't that true. I dated a guy once that said the most attractive thing to him about a girl was if she had a cheerful smile. He said nothing else really mattered (hair color/size/eye color/face shape, etc. ) I thought that was so cool of him. When he got married, I actually saw his wife go from reasonably attractive to beautiful and gorgeous through his love and care. He was a cool guy. I'm fine with the fact that he married her and not me, though, cause he was mr. spontaneous, and I am miss plan it all out, so we never would've made it. His wife is spontaneous, too. They are a great match (many years counting, and 5 kids[:D]).

[:(] Poor little Juianna can't even smile, though. I pray that she will be able to get at least enough surgeries that she will be able to smile.



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 12:01:54 PM)

I think I have seen her on the discovery health channel. Is she missing most of her face? If this is the little two year old, my youngest DD, said " Oh isn't she cute, it was her spirt, that my DD saw, her playing in the bathtub and such. If this is the same little girl, yes lets pray for her.
quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

quote:

You know, I do not care if a person has two teeth, no teeth, or crooked teeth, or perfect teeth. If they smile at me, it seems the most beautiful smile.



Isn't that true. I dated a guy once that said the most attractive thing to him about a girl was if she had a cheerful smile. He said nothing else really mattered (hair color/size/eye color, etc.) I thought that was so cool of him.

[:(] Poor little Juianna can't even smile, though. I pray that she will be able to get at least enough surgeries that she will be able to smile.



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 12:07:17 PM)

That is her, I looked at your link, she is a little older. She is very bright also, if I remember right.



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 12:28:46 PM)

Yeah, that's that same little girl, I'm pretty sure anyways. She and her family are amazing, wonderful people! And I did notice she's got very pretty hair, and adorable hands. I really think, that no matter what, everyone has at least one nice feature. She also seems to have the most kind, caring, loving, understanding, unselfish big sister in the world. With so much rivalry amongst so many siblings, I think in that way, she is one of the most blessed children ever. Many people would give their two front teeth for a better relationship with their sibling.

Lightshineon, I think we cross posted.[;)]



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/5/2008 1:29:45 PM)

LOL we probaly did. She has such cute little form, and hair. Her family is wonderful, you know I agree this family is blessed and a blessing.[:D]
quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

Yeah, that's that same little girl, I'm pretty sure anyways. She and her family are amazing, wonderful people! And I did notice she's got very pretty hair, and adorable hands. I really think, that no matter what, everyone has at least one nice feature. She also seems to have the most kind, caring, loving, understanding, unselfish big sister in the world. With so much rivalry amongst so many siblings, I think in that way, she is one of the most blessed children ever. Many people would give their two front teeth for a better relationship with their sibling.

Lightshineon, I think we cross posted.[;)]



Focusing -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/8/2008 4:10:13 PM)

quote:

It is really bad that society has come to the point where beauty, or lack thereof, is a deciding factor in people's opinions of whether or not people should even be alive. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate beauty, and admire it when I see it, but that should have nothing to do with who we think should and shouldn't be here on this earth.

I agree. I was so frustrated last fall when there were a bunch of threads running, all basically saying "everyone is physically attracted to the opposite sex, whether they want to admit it or not, and if they say otherwise they are lying". I have been on both sides of the appearance: beautiful darling young child, to really awkward bucktoothed ugly duckling, and late blossoming into the swan. I can tell you that who I was on the inside didn't change with my looks, and I have always had a very sensitive side to that. Having lived in Southern California for so many years, and alongside many very physically beautiful/handsome people (even celebrities), I can assure you that one's outward appearance is not necessarily a reflection on the person they are inside. Many of the very beautiful people I have known have been some of the ugliest, meanest, most spiteful, hateful, horrible people I have ever known. Yet, our society continually builds up and places such a priority on outward appearance. [:o] It's all very sad. I am a people watcher ... love to observe people. You can learn so much about a person just by watching them, their actions, how they treat others. That is what defines one's beauty ... it comes directly from their heart. Sometimes I think blind people have a good thing ... they don't judge others by their physical appearance.


quote:

I have some very plain friends the longer you know them, they seem so attractive

Yes, their beauty comes from the inside.


quote:

extreme beauty ... she has a low selfworth

If her value is placed on her looks, absolutely, especially because you mentioned she also has a beautiful heart ... I would imagine she desired others valued her for her heart.



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/8/2008 4:55:23 PM)

I will be glad when we get in heaven all of us will be perfect, and no one will feel unattractive. I would hate to live in California, for that reason. I wonder why many of us, and daughters and friends have suffered eating disorders? The commericals, he world the teleivison makes us average looking people feel that is not good enough. Why are we like this? Why do we let society tell us what is beautiful? God tells us what is beautiful to him.



Annie64 -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/9/2008 1:06:21 AM)

Once I babysat two little girls, sisters, who were particularly pretty. One day, their aunt heard me complimenting their looks, and she wisely cautioned me to give them compliments in other areas, too, so that they didn't get the idea that looks were the most important thing or that it was the only thing they had going for them!



lightshineon -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/9/2008 8:21:50 AM)

That is very good advice.
quote:

ORIGINAL: Annie64

Once I babysat two little girls, sisters, who were particularly pretty. One day, their aunt heard me complimenting their looks, and she wisely cautioned me to give them compliments in other areas, too, so that they didn't get the idea that looks were the most important thing or that it was the only thing they had going for them!



NewYork74 -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/9/2008 11:57:01 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 9drtr

It is a sign of a degenerate society that anything other than humanity - and arguably guilt in a capital offense - is a deciding factor in whether one lives or dies.


Agreed. Everytime a pretty white girl dies or dissapears, the media is all over it. There are many other people who die horribly every day.



tenfour -> RE: Value of human life boiled down to appearance (5/13/2008 12:54:49 AM)

I don't know if studies have been done on this, but from talking to other people, it seems a lot of folks believe that a person's attitude and goodness actually have an effect on their physical appearance. So, for instance, someone that's kind of homely looking could look more attractive if they were nicer to other people.

It's a bizarre, illogical belief, but I sense that it may be rampant.



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