What your stance on life says about your foundational beliefs…
We are undergoing a philosophical shift in our country. And our stance on the issue of abortion is the thermometer that indicates our shift. Allow me to explain.
In past years, I’ve engaged in political discussion with people, assuming we had experience reading the same literature and philosophy. I’ve avoided such debate this year because everyone wants to jump to “the issues” without examining foundational beliefs. People ask ignorant questions such as, “Don’t you believe everyone should have health care?” and “Don’t you want to help the poor?” and “Don’t you believe those blessed by fortune should help those in need?”
You see, both Democrats and Republicans believe health care is good, helping the poor is good, and is charity; but they have different ways of achieving these good works. And Democrats, in particular, are venomous in their attacks on those who go about noble goals in a different manner.
The question is, are we endowed by our creator certain rights that should not be taken away? Namely, are we endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? The answer to this question means everything.
If we are not endowed with the right to life, than there is much unspeakable evil that is justified. If we are allowed to murder children in the womb for reasons of illness, disability, or plain old inconvenience what is to stop us from murdering others for the same reason? (Baby Boomers, hear this: pray your children rebel against the teachings that disregard human life that they have received these 35 years, or your turn may be next .)
If we, as a society, do not hold sacred the right to life, what makes us think we will be responsible and compassionate to all? In other words, a society that does not hold sacred the right to life may say everyone should have health care, but may go around denying it to some .
Health care, war, famine, poverty, starvation, shelter, these are all quality of life issues. They do not go away. There is always more that charitable people can do. But, the right to life, that is foundational. If we do not have the right to life, what gives us the right to health care, peace, food source, riches, nutrition, and a home?
Catholics believe you should vote your conscious. Lutherans believe you should vote in the best interest of your neighbor. It is always in your neighbor’s best interest to have life, liberty, and the ability to pursue happiness.
All people are burdensome from time to time. Mallory was a bit fussy this weekend, having had vaccines on Friday. Saturday evening, while Josh was working on a paper, Mallory was fussing. She was fed, changed, bathed, and had dry clothes. Through trial and error, all she wanted was some skin contact. So, I took off her jammies and held her against my chest. She fell asleep quickly. And I sat there with her, wrapped in a blanket, looking at the sleeping beauty in my arms. A year ago, she was very small, yet had a heart beat. We had just found out we were pregnant. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that 40 million such precious babies were dead. Fussing is rough, but a sleeping babe in your arms, listening to your heart beat, that is treasure. I looked at my baby ashamed that we belonged to a country where I would have been allowed and lauded for ending her life. God have mercy on us all.
In past years, I’ve engaged in political discussion with people, assuming we had experience reading the same literature and philosophy. I’ve avoided such debate this year because everyone wants to jump to “the issues” without examining foundational beliefs. People ask ignorant questions such as, “Don’t you believe everyone should have health care?” and “Don’t you want to help the poor?” and “Don’t you believe those blessed by fortune should help those in need?”
You see, both Democrats and Republicans believe health care is good, helping the poor is good, and is charity; but they have different ways of achieving these good works. And Democrats, in particular, are venomous in their attacks on those who go about noble goals in a different manner.
The question is, are we endowed by our creator certain rights that should not be taken away? Namely, are we endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? The answer to this question means everything.
If we are not endowed with the right to life, than there is much unspeakable evil that is justified. If we are allowed to murder children in the womb for reasons of illness, disability, or plain old inconvenience what is to stop us from murdering others for the same reason? (Baby Boomers, hear this: pray your children rebel against the teachings that disregard human life that they have received these 35 years, or your turn may be next .)
If we, as a society, do not hold sacred the right to life, what makes us think we will be responsible and compassionate to all? In other words, a society that does not hold sacred the right to life may say everyone should have health care, but may go around denying it to some .
Health care, war, famine, poverty, starvation, shelter, these are all quality of life issues. They do not go away. There is always more that charitable people can do. But, the right to life, that is foundational. If we do not have the right to life, what gives us the right to health care, peace, food source, riches, nutrition, and a home?
Catholics believe you should vote your conscious. Lutherans believe you should vote in the best interest of your neighbor. It is always in your neighbor’s best interest to have life, liberty, and the ability to pursue happiness.
All people are burdensome from time to time. Mallory was a bit fussy this weekend, having had vaccines on Friday. Saturday evening, while Josh was working on a paper, Mallory was fussing. She was fed, changed, bathed, and had dry clothes. Through trial and error, all she wanted was some skin contact. So, I took off her jammies and held her against my chest. She fell asleep quickly. And I sat there with her, wrapped in a blanket, looking at the sleeping beauty in my arms. A year ago, she was very small, yet had a heart beat. We had just found out we were pregnant. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that 40 million such precious babies were dead. Fussing is rough, but a sleeping babe in your arms, listening to your heart beat, that is treasure. I looked at my baby ashamed that we belonged to a country where I would have been allowed and lauded for ending her life. God have mercy on us all.
posted by Consecutive Odds @ 5:27 PM
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