Faith.
By Pastor Lonnie Stine
This year we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence-the founding document of our nation. It includes the phrase “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men…”
Unalienable-“fundamental rights that cannot be surrendered or transferred, often considered inherent to all individuals”. Life is the first listed of the unalienable rights because without life the others are irrelevant. The basic question facing our society today becomes, when does life begin? There are various ideas being promoted: some say not until birth; some say when the heart starts beating; some say when the baby can feel pain; etc.
This then leads to various definitions of what it means to be pro-life. When is “life” entitled to the full protection of the law? Like most issues, politicians most frequently campaign one way on this issue and vote differently when elected. Most, if not all, Republicans, campaign as “pro-life”. That is meaningless unless they define what they mean by that term.
Politics is said to be “the art of compromise”. To an extent, this is true. Sometimes a position can be compromised to work for a beneficial goal. But principles should never be compromised. It is which definition of “pro-life” that a politician believes that determines their principle on this subject, if they have a principle. I believe, because it is both Biblically and biologically true, that life begins at conception and from that point on should be protected by law. Candidates who hold this position are the ones worthy of your vote.
I am aware of three pro-life organizations centered in Wisconsin. I know there are other national organizations that have Wisconsin outreach. Of the three, only two are truly pro-life: Pro-Life WI and Baptists For Life of Wisconsin. The other large organization in Wisconsin that calls itself pro-life is more interested in political power then in saving unborn lives. I know this from personal experience and from many years of observing their position on bills in Madison. They readily compromise if it means they can be on the winning side of a bill. A number of years ago I ran for the state legislature and requested their endorsement. I was told they would not endorse me because I had no chance of winning. (I was running on a 3rd party ticket-The Taxpayers Party, now the Constitution Party). Their position was not due to what I believed about abortion, but what were my chances of winning.
When your candidates run as “pro-life” insist that they define the term. Too many Wisconsin Republicans campaign as pro-life and consistently vote for bills that only protect certain unborn babies. In addition to getting them to define the term, if they have been in office, check their voting record. Whatever you do, don’t just believe their campaign literature or verbal promises.
Two Wisconsin organizations that honestly evaluate candidates on this issue are Pro-Life WI www.prolifewi.org and Wisconsin Family Action wifamilyaction.org (whose evaluations consider other pro-family issues). Also, on or around, July 16, ivoterguide will be releasing their candidate evaluations for the August primary.
Vote prayerfully, vote wisely. Lives are dependent upon it. God Bless America.
Dr. Lonnie W. Stine, Pastor – Badger Community Church
11198 Badger Drive, Waupaca, WI
An independent, Bible teaching, local church
Sunday: 9:00 am Bible Study, 10:00 am Morning Worship
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