This Wednesday, September 28 2011, the annual “40 Days for Life” campaign begins again. It has become a well known season for drawing attention to what one would think is an obvious truth. That human life is sacred and the cause of promoting human dignity is a righteous endeavor.
However, since our Supreme Courts’ landmark decision in 1973 to legalize abortion across our nation, and the resulting 53 million children killed with the grace of government, there is also something terribly obvious as well. That a culture of death still grips our nation and our people, and it seems, unfortunately also, our youth. To them, the option to abort a child must seem like just another option, rather than the abhorrent act that it is because they have only known a nation that allows it.
This past Sunday, at our weekly “Life Teen – Life Night”, our ministry engaged the start of this year’s prolife campaign by presenting several speakers, videos, and scripture to our teens so that they may understand and be more aware of this ongoing effort that encompasses Christian faith of all denominations.
First of all, please let me express that I think that the presentation was fantastic because there was no flash or flare, or gimmicks to keep the kids attention. No, it was just simple, well put and straight forward information. Sometimes our kids need that. And on that note I have something to add about what we tell our kids and what we don’t tell them with respect to the prolife movement.
A couple of the speakers began their talk by separating the issue of abortion from the political aspect of the abortion “debate”, as it was called. Now I don’t really mind this… especially in that setting, and in the context of recognizing human dignity as the paramount objective. The discussion also included the other end of human life and the right to a natural death. I know that for some, the mere mention of politics causes some people’s eyes to glaze over, and a reflex to change the subject. And those are the adults I’m referring to.
But I can’t help but realize what an opportunity we are missing in educating our youth by excluding the political side of such issues.
Now let me preface my following comments. These are my opinions and I am well aware that many may disagree with my views. Where I try to tie religious and political views together, others will see and place separation. Many have bought the myth of separation between church and state. I suppose it’s easier to compartmentalize the two subjects. Many don’t want their spiritual life mixed with what can be a “blood sport” for lack of a better term. I personally see a connection between Religion and politics, and the easiest way I can share this with you is by asking a question that demonstrates that connection.
Do the things you believe in guide the way you govern yourself?
Let’s start at the beginning. In the book of Genesis we read that the human being was created in the likeness of God, and he granted to us the unique position of dominion over the other creatures coupled with the responsibility of stewardship. It is from this perspective that the church promotes the bedrock principle of human dignity, and at its foundation is the God given breath of life that must be respected.
But there is another, more recent beginning. There is the beginning of our nation. Written and expressed in the Declaration of Independence is an attempt by man to institute a government that acknowledges that only God can grant natural rights to man.
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are LIFE, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.
There are many fellow citizens that don’t agree with the way our nation was constituted, and have been actively working to destroy its foundation for generations. Not surprisingly, movements like the pro-abortion groups are often populated with people who don’t subscribe to true Christian principles or who don’t believe in God at all.
Our children need to understand that a lot of actions and movements sanctioned by government are purposely generated by those who disagree with our Declaration of Independence, and our Constitution. If we Christian parents, mentors and youth ministers don’t inform them of this, they are sure to never receive it from modern media, and government education.
There is a connection!
