Richard Dawkins has been back in the news, expressing (when asked) his view that aborting all unborn babies with Down’s Syndrome “would increase the amount of happiness in the world”. He also stated, “I think it would be wise and sensible to abort a child which had a serious disability”.¹

He shared this on a radio show, where the presenter has a child with Down’s.

This has inevitably caused a backlash in the Down’s Syndrome community, with the campaign group Don’t Screen Us Out writing an open letter asking Dawkins’ publishing company to stop publishing his books, unless he reconsiders his hurtful remarks.²

Aborting disabled foetuses would of course mean that some people would face fewer challenges in this life – the carers by not having to expend time, energy and the emotional investment in caring for someone disabled, and the disabled people themselves would not have to face whatever challenges their disabilities made them face. Notwithstanding this, or the rights and wrongs of abortion in general, Richard Dawkins misses two vital facts.

Sharing love and happiness

Firstly, he fails to appreciate that these people, just as all people, have intrinsic value. They are important. They are made in the image of God. Just because their ‘flaws’ are more obvious, doesn’t mean that they are of any less value than those whose imperfections might be more hidden behind an able body and mind.

Secondly, he fails to appreciate what disabled people, such as those with Down’s Syndrome, can bring to society. I’ve written about my daughter Emily before in Prophecy Today. She brings, wherever she goes, smiles and laughter, enthusiasm, an ability to have a childlike delight and faith in God. She will pray to God for anyone sick – even just a tummy ache (and I have known healing through her faith-filled prayers). She has taught me so much, and helped me to understand so much, about myself, about the world, about love and compassion, and the gospel principle of putting others before myself on a daily basis.

I would say that it is instead selfishness that reduces happiness in society.

Disability in itself, in particular Down’s Syndrome, does not lessen happiness overall. In fact, a 2011 study published by the American Journal of Medical Genetics showed that nearly 99% of people with Down’s syndrome indicated that they were happy with their lives. I would say that it is instead selfishness that reduces happiness in society.³

I had the privilege recently of helping a dear friend whose disabled brother had died. I helped her put together the eulogy for him – helping her to formulate her thoughts, and structure them. It was a very moving tribute. Carl needed a high level of care and support, and he never reached the heights of achievement that some people perhaps may reach. It was his family and carers at the day centre which he attended who expressed their sadness. But in those words, it could be seen just how much he brought, despite difficulties at times. My friend said:
“I have learnt so much from Carl that has helped to make me the person I am today. Not only patience …, but he has taught me to be intuitive, empathetic, non-judgemental, responsible, and kind. His courage and unconditional love have been inspirational. I know we can all bear testament to his deep and lasting influence on our lives. And lastly, he has shown us what is most important in life – to love and be loved.”

Others spoke of “how Carl lit up the bungalow with his smile and charisma”, and my friend spoke of the way he would “look at Mum with his huge sparkly eyes” and she could “see the unconditional love between them.”

Honouring those with disabilities

A society can be judged on how it treats the most vulnerable within it. But it should not just be a case of tolerating those who struggle. But how we honour them. King David demonstrated this with the honour he showed to Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, who was lame in both feet. Note, he did not just ensure he received his full inheritance and that he was provided for practically as he couldn’t farm his land himself. He also provided him a place at his own table – “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.” (2 Sam 9:11b).

In an agrarian society, physically disabled people were at as much as a disadvantage as those who are learning-disabled today. Yet David honoured him, in order to remember his father, whom he loved.

Richard Dawkins needs to learn that everyone, whether able-bodied or not, whether clever or not, have the ability to contribute joy and love and goodness into this world.

Let us learn to love, care for, and indeed honour those in our midst with significant disabilities. Richard Dawkins, and others of a similar mindset, need to learn that everyone, whether able-bodied or not, whether clever or not, have the ability to contribute joy and love and goodness into this world. Their contributions may or may not be ‘high-flying’, like Mr Dawkins. But theirs is an important and valuable role, nonetheless, and society would be the poorer without them.

I pray that Richard Dawkins will realise that he himself is made in God’s image, and is loved by God, just as my daughter is, as Carl was, and as every other human whom Christ came to save is.

Endnotes

¹Richard Dawkins says aborting all Down's syndrome babies would 'increase world happiness', Oliver Pritchard, the Express, 19 May 2021
²Don't Screen Us Out
³Positive attitudes prevail within families of people with Down syndrome: Family members share feelings of love and pride, few report regret or embarrassment - ScienceDaily