United States and Abortion

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". . . they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life . . ."

(Declaration of Independence of the United States).

Foundations of the United States of America

In the Declaration of Independence we read the following:

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 ensure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed.  That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government.  (Declaration of Independence of the United States, 2nd Continental Congress, 1776).

What makes America so great is that the fundamental rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are granted by God; not by the king, queen, or the government.  These are inalienable rights that cannot be transferred to anyone else.

The Purpose of Government

"Those who hold the reins of government should not forget that it is the duty of public authority by appropriate laws and sanctions to defend the lives of the innocent, and this all the more so since those whose lives are endangered and assailed cannot defend themselves.  Among whom we must mention in the first place, infants hidden in the mother's womb.  And if the public magistrates not only do not defend them, but by their laws and ordinances betray them to death at the hands of the doctors or of others, let them remember that God is the Judge and Avenger of innocent blood which cried from earth to Heaven (Genesis 9:10)" (Pius XI, Encyclical Letter Casti Connubii, December, 30, 1930, 67).

Purpose of Law

St. Thomas Aquinas gave this definition of law: "A law is a command of reason, promulgated by legitimate authority, for the sake of the common good."  A law is first and foremost a command of reason.  Through the use of reason or by thinking, we are able to learn many truths about life and the world we live in.  The truth we learn becomes a norm for behavior and is often ratified in laws.  A simple example are the laws regarding drinking and driving.  It is a truth that if too much alcohol is consumed, the person will not be able to properly drive a vehicle, hence there is a law that forbids driving if too much alcohol is consumed.  The law is grounded in reason and truth.  The law is meant to establish order, justice and peace.

In regard to human life, it is a scientific fact that human life begins at conception.  Based on this knowledge, laws must be established to protect every human being from the first moment of his or her existence: "'Life once conceived, must be protected with the utmost care; abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.' . . . 'Human life must be absolutely respected and protected from the moment of conception'" (CDF, Instruction on Respect for Human Life).  Laws protecting the lives of human beings from conception are grounded in the truth about human life.  They will establish order, justice and peace.

Bringing the United States Closer to its Founding Principles

Abortion has moved the United Sates further away from its founding principles, further away than any other event in the history of the United States.  In the United States 1.2 million people are killed through abortion every year.

In order to end this large-scale destruction of human life the people of the United States must demand that the Government secure the rights it was instituted to protect.  The United States Government must ensure that every person is recognized and treated as equal and that human life is protected during all of its stages.