God or government?

“But the truth is that it is only by believing in God that we can ever criticize the government. Once abolish God, and the government becomes the God.” - G.K. Chesterton

A few days ago, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the she is launching a national tour to celebrate abortion. In an interview with NSNBC’s program, “Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” VP Harris said: “I will be meeting with folks around the country of all types and background, by the way, and political party affiliation to talk about the fact that one – most of us agree that one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held belief to believe that the government should not be telling her what to do with her body.”

Clearly, Vice President Harris believes that an unborn baby is only a “disposable body part” of the mother carrying that baby in her womb.

And yet, science tells us that the baby in the womb is a unique, separate, different person than the mother temporarily caring for that baby in that womb. The baby has a totally unique DNA that is different from either the child’s mother or the child’s father.

When the sperm from the father joins with the egg provided by the mother, each provides twenty-three chromosomes. This is called conception and the process of cell division and specialization begins. Each product of conception, no matter what you call it, or what you think of it, is a unique human being. Different from all other human beings.

This unique human being grows and develops in mother’s womb until birth, normally about nine months.

And yet – in many states of the United States of America, abortion is legal until the child reaches a certain stage in its physical development. In almost every situation the mother is the only one able to make the decision to about the child. Legally, the father usually has no say at any time. Each state makes its own laws regarding abortion.

The government makes the rules through the legislative process, through the votes of legislators elected by the people of that state. The courts generally will support the laws written in accordance with the laws and constitution of each state.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” The constitution of the United States, Amendment I.

Chesterton had this in mind when he wrote the above quotation. Our society operates in two worlds, frequently referred to as the kingdom of the right and the kingdom of the left. These two kingdoms are respectively the “kingdom of God” (right) and the kingdom of the government (left).

Each kingdom has a different sphere of influence and authority.

Our national constitution recognizes that the government has no authority over the kingdom of the right. The constitution expressly prohibits government interference with, or authority over, religion. When the government seeks to impose authority to require medical professionals (even those who are opposed to abortion) to participate in abortion, it is clearly interference with religion.

We read from the Bible:

“You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)

“You knit me in my mother’s womb…” (Psalm 139:13)

“You have been my guide since I was first formed… from my mother’s womb you are my God.” (Psalm 22:10-11)

Clearly the Christian Bible claims that unborn children (whatever you call them) are fully human beings, separate individuals, each a special creation of God, for a special purpose. We see that God not only created life, but protects it and uses it for His purposes.

And yet, many recent studies have shown that we are becoming a less religious nation. A smaller percent of Americans now claim adherence to any Christian denomination or even other religious beliefs. As our faith in God declines, we are in effect “abolishing God”.

Chesterton says that when we abolish God, when we forget God, and worship Him no longer, this void must be filled. Chesterton says this void is filled by the government. The government then becomes our God.

When this happens, we worship the government. We can then celebrate abortion with Vice President Harris.

Mike Lang, Chairman, Union County Republican Central Committee