Martin Luther King, Obama and Abortion

A Conservative Christian's Perspective on "Rendering unto Caesar" after the Presidential Election

So how does a passionate conservative Christian who did not vote for the President Elect go about rendering "unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things which are God's (Matthew 22:21)" without compromising his own heartfelt morals and values? This particularly pertains to the incoming administration's platform for promotion of pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage rights, which are clearly in conflict with God's Natural Laws.

Following the recent presidential election, conservatives of all persuasions are surely regrouping and already jockeying for the upcoming 2010 Congressional elections, as well as the 2012 presidential election. There are even rabid rumors of our own Governor Bobby Jindal making waves about the latter to conservatives recently in Iowa at a gathering that usually serves to jump start an aspirant's campaign activities.

But while the political theater of life will certainly go on as Jesus noted above and our Founding Fathers envisioned, as well as history showing the swinging pendulum of conservative - liberal power transitions, the zeitgeist of "change" seems to clearly be in the air. Still, for most of us Christian conservatives, this "change" can only be in regards to the "incidentals" and not the "essentials" of our faith walks in everyday life.

The following involves one example of an essential nonnegotiable conservative value that was promoted as some type of "Change We Need." The President Elect made it crystal clear in the campaign that the first act he would promote as President is the "Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)," This act basically states that there can be no safeguards for the life of the unborn - going beyond Roe v Wade - and even overturning the Partial Birth ban. How can one reconcile promoting a culture of life by tolerating a culture of death?

In order to review this dilemma and to be open to properly supporting our new Commander in Chief, it might be helpful to look at the three par excellence virtues of faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) and how these correspond to following three significant upcoming dates: January 19th, January 20th and January 22nd. This will help us to understand what Jesus noted: "By their fruits you will know them" (Matt. 7:16). Or, as the late President Ronald Reagan used to say to the Gorbachev: "Trust, but verify!"

Martin Luther King promoted the nonviolent civil rights movement and is rightly credited for galvanizing the country towards better racial equality and respect for all. The day of recognition that is named in his honor will be held on January 19, 2009. His faith certainly was the driving force to overcoming the many barriers that he faced in his life, which was sadly taken from him so violently. While many of his dreams remain to be fulfilled, it is truly historic that a person of color has been elected to the most powerful office in the world; this is something that all of us can celebrate.

But what about the civil rights for the unborn? This must truly be a nightmare, not a dream, when one considers that African-Americans comprise 13% of the US population yet account for over 30% of all abortions. As Dr. Alveda King, the faithful niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr remarked recently, "President-elect Obama has promised actions that will only increase the number of abortions," she said and added that pro-life advocates "must promise to redouble our efforts to resist anti-life proposals, speak up for the babies, and, above all, pray."

Held every four years and near the beginning of a new year with the promise and hope for renewed energy at addressing the serous problems we face, the Presidential Inauguration can be a real uniting force for the country! January 20, 2009 is expected to have the highest attendance ever for such a gathering in Washington DC. Once again, while I did not support the President Elect, I wholeheartedly support the Office. Per our democratically structured republic, we must support our leaders if we want to somehow work together.

"We need fathers to recognize their responsibility doesn't just end at conception," was noted by the President Elect Obama on Father's Day this year - a very hopeful message for responsibility to all of us men. But the following is a very, very disturbing response by the President Elect to Rick Warren’s simple question to him at a Town hall meeting: “At what point does a baby get human rights?" President Elect Obama's answer was: “That's above my pay grade.” Any elementary child who knows basic biology knows that life (human rights) begins at conception.

January 22, 2009 is the 36th anniversary of Roe v Wade, certainly not a good example of "love of God and our neighbor (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). How many more than the 50 million + unborn babies killed since 1973 will it take for us to see finally the truth? On many occasions, President Elect Obama has been quoted as saying, " I am my brother's keeper." Will his appointments to the Supreme Court reflect this? "Whatever you did (or didn't do) to the least of my brothers, that you did (or didn't do) unto me. (Matthew 25:31-45)"

Lastly, to quote a popular "Kumbaya-like" song from the '60's by Peter Scholtes and Carolyn Arends: "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." While we certainly don't expect everyone in Washington DC to "continually do everything in one accord (Acts 2:46)," especially with the divergent positions held in and out of our two party system, we can clearly find common ground. A simple remembrance is the Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. (Matt. 7:12)" How difficult is it to include unborn children in the "others" category? Any elementary child will also look at an ultrasound picture and simply note the existence of life in the womb - why can't we?

Certainly, it appears that the President Elect is making sincere efforts at addressing other serious issues like the economic crisis we are facing. There are many and varied approaches to solve these, but we now have a new leader who is working on a plan. I may not agree to all the parts of his planning, but you and I need to contribute and challenge, as well as support his efforts at helping all of us. This is certainly something we can all agree upon.

So with faith, hope and love, I truly pray for the success of the President Elect's incoming administration. There are many opportunities for all of us to make contributions for our overall well being. A fundamental key to the success of any human venture is a foundation based upon God's Laws and Direction. May the President Elect uphold and enforce the "unalienable God-given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for all of us, including the unborn. This will validate a true rendering unto Caesar of the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things which are God's.

In conclusion, may all of us sinners who seek to be change rendering agents for Christ in both the secular and sacred worlds follow the example of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. All such recognized saintly people have given us a great example of how reforms have to begin within us before we can hope for change outside of us. The Greek word "metanoia" highlights this and is defined as a radical change or transformation in how we live.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA
Prayer Care
www.cpforlife.org/rainbow, www.cpforlife.org/memorial
Jesuit Volunteer Corps California Southwest, 1981 - 1982
khorcasitas.yahoo.com
December 2008

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