“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NLT
We have all heard the statement “I have my rights.” You may have said it yourself. Having said it, it stands to reason you believe it. But what is the foundation your rights are built on? Where do your rights come from? Have you ever thought deeply as to their origin? Here in the United States, there is much debate over the issue of human rights. During a Presidential election campaign, the focus is on maintaining those rights whether you are on the left or the right. But what both political parties must recognize is ‘our rights come from God’ and not from the government.
Cries are coming from both sides of the fear of losing their rights. There is fear of losing the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, and the right of a woman’s freedom of choice resulting in losing their reproductive health care rights as it is so cleverly renamed. There is a legitimate concern in America for the possibilities of losing one’s rights as set forth in the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The founding fathers knew and proclaimed that individual rights come from God. The Declaration of Independence says, “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.” Note these rights are God given, not given by the government.
“However, if you think that we are granted our fundamental rights by the government, then you are more likely to seek additional favors from the government. If the government is the grantor of all good things, what is to stop someone from thinking up more good things that could and should be granted by our elected leaders?” (1) A case in point is the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 which legalized abortion as a woman’s right to choose. The court read abortion in the 14th amendment. “Justice Harry Blackmun said that the court held a woman’s right to an abortion was implicit in the right to privacy protected under the 14th Amendment. However, while the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a woman’s right to choose, it also acknowledged the state’s interest in protecting the ‘potential of human life.’” (2) Notice the Supreme Court didn’t rule that states could not limit abortion to protect human life.
As we head to polls this November or earlier through early voting keep in mind our rights come from God. May we be praying that our God-given rights will not be taken away by the next administration. May we pray that government policies will not create false rights that infringe on others, especially the right of ‘Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness’ for the unborn.
(1) The right way to think about rights | The Heritage Foundation
(2) What is the 14th Amendment and How is It Connected to Abortion Rights, Roe v. Wade? – NBC Chicago
Word for the Soul 