Fact of Life:

Something To Think About, A Fact of Life:

I've been privileged to function in several roles in which I have sought to influence the way people think, perhaps, more importantly, the way they feel, about what is right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable. What people believe--really believe in the core of their being--has life and death consequences in the real world.  I just read the remarkable story of Louis Zamparini.  Part of his account is told in the movie, Unbroken.  The movie and more so the book chronicle the inhuman way World War Two prisoners of war were treated in Japanese prison camps.  Statistics clearly indicate that prisoners held by the Empire of Japan died at rates far, far higher than inmates in any other World War Two era prisons.  Why? It has been impossible to not hear about the recent tragic murders in France.  The news from Paris has amplified reports of other atrocities.  Again, when civilized people hear of such horrors we ask, "Why?"  I just read about a documentary filmed seventy years ago.  It was never finished and released.   The subject of the movie is what many regard as the greatest atrocity of the Twentieth Century, The Holocaust.  How could civilized people perpetuate such a horror?  Why would others choose to suppress a film that exposed the degradation? In each of these cases, and countless others like them, at the bottom of these horrid actions is not a lack of laws but a system of belief that provides justification for the horrid action.  Japanese were taught that one who surrendered in battle rather than fighting to the death had dishonored himself and was thus unworthy of humane treatment.  The killers who murdered the staff of Charlie Hebdo shouted the justification for their killings.  Protecting the honor of the prophet justifies virtually any action.  The antisemitism of the Nazi regime was key in producing the death of Millions of Jews. We tend to think that the key to changing our culture is politics, legislation, and judicial appointments.  Indeed we can identify many politicians and political movements that have made significant differences.  As the presidential campaign ramps up to 2016 we will see and hear ads, and get phone calls that indicate that the saving of our nation, and indeed our way of life, depends on the election of candidate X.  I'm not saying elections aren't important, they are, but they are not most important.    Moms and Dads who teach their children are far more important.   Religious leaders who mold the consciences of those who hear them have powerful impact. Public leaders who lead not primarily by coercion but by persuasion and even more so through inspiration--think of the powerful words of Abraham Lincoln--will change culture in ways that will last for generations.   Let's remember that as we approach the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established the current state of the law in regard to Abortion.  Our task is not stop abortion.  What we need to do is to clearly establish the sanctity of human life.  If we believe the fact that human life belongs to God, and that we cannot take it without His sanction, then we will see abortion for the abhorrent act that it is. It's STTA.