"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10
Progressives detest the label "culture of death" that has been pinned on them. They are, after all, progressives in the area of freedom to choose. Nonetheless, in spite of the protests refuting the label, one merely need look at the reality of the situation. Who makes demands in court for legalized assisted suicide? Who makes demands in court for the legalized removal of life support for another unable to make that decisions? Who makes demands in court for legalized abortion and widespread access to it? The record shows that the answer is progressives.
Now let us add to their list legalized infanticide. I a recent Canadian case, a mother strangled her newborn and received no incarceration for the act. Even though two jury trials resulted in convictions of second-degree murder, Alberta's highest court decided that the jury "made a mistake." Katrina Effert, the defendant in the case, was given a three-year suspended sentence by Judge Joann Velt. Justifying the issuance of this astounding sentence, the judge explains:
"The fact that Canada has no abortion laws reflects that ?while many Canadians undoubtedly view abortion as a less than ideal solution to unprotected sex and unwanted pregnancy, they generally understand, accept and sympathize with the onerous demands pregnancy and childbirth exact from mothers, especially mothers without support,' she writes.
Infanticide, according to Judge Velt, is merely another form of abortion. And progressives are angered over references to the "culture of death" they are creating!
In spite of many imperfections, America's Founders would never tolerate the intentional massacre of the life of innocent infants inside or outside of the womb as a national ideology. Reflecting upon the beliefs found in the 18th century, William Linn, a New York City clergy elected by the U.S. House of Representatives as its chaplain in 1789, remarked:
Let my neighbor once persuade himself that there is no God, and he will soon pick my pocket, and break not only my leg but my neck. If there be no God, there is no law, no future account; government then is the ordinance of man only, and we cannot be subject for conscience sake.
As is so true of the thinking of many women and men of that era, their words continue to prove to be truthful prophecy. The further we stray from them - and certainly the further we stray from their source of strength derived from the truth of God - the more we hurtle toward the culture of death.
Faithful Father, like the Hebrews of old, we cry out in our struggle against bondage. We pray that the captives would once again be set free. We are imprisoned by sin, and by those who seek to place sin over us all as a master. You, Lord, proclaim and promise life. Help us, then, to rise up once again to call upon Your Holy Name and to replace our haughty will with Your divine love that alone is strong enough to break the bonds of a death culture. We thank You for the mercies poured out upon those who seek your face and strive to do Your will. In the name of Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
