Aren't We All 'Incompatible With Life?'

My title today includes an intriguing question! Before we get into a discussion about that particular question, I would like to share some thoughts about Rick Santorum.

Even though I'm a bit late in doing a blog post on Rick Santorum's exit from the Republican Presidential Candidate race, I wanted to share an essay that I received from Capitol Resource Institute that was written by Tim LeFever. The article goes beyond a discussion about Rick, and shares an idea regarding just whose disabled baby might be considered "incompatible with life" and therefore, recommended for termination via the ugly murderous practice of abortion.

But before we get into that part of the article, I would like to say that I was disappointed that Rick dropped out of the race. He must have had good reasons to do so, but I'm sure that all of his supporters were deeply disappointed. The way I see it, he was the last genuine conservative candidate in the race who does not waver from his core convictions. He obviously and unapologetically lives the Christian kind of life that believers could highly relate to.

 Of course, like all human beings, he isn't perfect. None of us are. Only Jesus Christ lived a perfect life on this earth and as a result, was, is, and continues to be THE ONLY ONE worthy for all eternity to be the Savior of the world!

In politics, it appears that genuine Christians often are rejected as candidates for office because those who hold to "political correctness" often follow worldly values that unsaved humans think outweighs the truth, wisdom, knowledge and application of the Bible in life. It is a shame to need to admit this, but it is unfortunately true.

Well, here is Tim LeFever's excellent essay about Rick, who happens to be a parent of an "imperfect" child where both parents decided to birth her and not take the easy way out utilizing abortion. There is an awesome link included of a post written by Tim's daughter about a cousin who has Trisomy 18.

First, here is Tim LeFever's article:

When Rick Santorum came to the microphone to announce the suspension of his campaign for the presidency, he preempted his detractors that might now mock his phrase of "game on". He suggested that some would be tempted to declare "game over". Santorum was right in noting how wrong they would be.

Santorum's campaign came to a premature end weeks before many voters would be asked to vote, and to the surprise of many, months before delegates would be selected in places already showing in the delegate count. But the rush to move Santorum off stage so the country might concentrate on the featured fight will not be so successful in pushing aside the issues raised by the former senator of Pennsylvania.

It is an understatement to say that Santorum ran a different type of campaign. He confessed that he did not have a pollster and that most of his speeches were off the cuff. He spoke about issues in a way that made many uncomfortable and did not limit himself to talk of how he would govern. He often discussed how he lived, and how he hoped others might live.

Some never got past that all-too-personal approach. They dismissed it as "judgmental" or brushed it aside as a preoccupation with social issues. Santorum saw it differently. In a small lunch gathering with conservatives in February, the Senator noted that he had been a little preachy in his earlier career. That was the result of early success.

He had a string of wins starting at a young age, first to the House of Representatives and then to the US Senate. But then came a devastating loss in 2006. And after that the birth of Bella. He had been humbled. But he also became more determined in elevating those most vulnerable in society. It is ironic that a secondary player in this and the last presidential battle will be remembered so much for their personal example in valuing life, and lifting up those that society would discard. In 2008, Sarah Palin and son Trig played this role now filled by Santorum and daughter Bella. Trig was born with Trisomy 21, Down Syndrome, where Bella has Trisomy 18, Edwards Syndrome. Both syndromes have been labeled as "lethal" or "incompatible with life", and both often result in a medical recommendation to terminate the pregnancy.

Here I will steal the words of my daughter who wrote about the pre-birth Trisomy 18 diagnosis of her cousin. She asks, "Aren't we all 'incompatible with life'?...We don't get to be life connoisseurs, claiming to know what life is worth trying - and what life is not. Children with disabilities will know life differently than you and I, but their lives are not worth less than our own." Santorum's campaign reminded us of this truth.

In a campaign that will necessarily be remembered for an unprecedented battle over the role of government and conflicting diagnoses of how to cure an ailing economy, Santorum also reminded us of our humanity. And in a partisan battle this often proved the lie of the left regarding heartless conservatives.

That message and the sincerity of its messenger attracted an unprecedented amount of support, registered in votes throughout the country. The campaign is suspended but the message will continue to resonate.

Tim LeFever is Chairman of the Board of Capitol Resource Institute

Readers, be SURE to click on this link to read Lucy LeFever's post at Live Action.org entitled, "Words That Kill."

One more story to tell. At The Rock Church's Easter service, a man by the name of Nick Vujicic shared about his struggles in this life and how the Lord Jesus Christ saved him and made him a whole person, despite the fact that he has no limbs! Read about him and his incredible story of his journey to Christ and how he inspires so many people through his ministry work at Christian Examiner: Limbless to Limitless [PDF].

Despite all the turmoil surrounding us in this world, be of good cheer! Because Jesus Christ has overcome the world!!

In Christ,

~ Christine


Jhn 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will [fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Footnote:
(16:33) NU-Text and M-Text omit will.

Hat tips to all links.