May 26, 2021
A war is raging in our nation. The tension between life and death has never been more felt. The innocent are sacrificed upon the altar of pleasure and modernism. The violence of this war is subtle because it is disguised by media propaganda, lies, and infiltration. Its weapons are advanced, its strategies keen, and its commanders determined. This war is between the culture of death and the culture of life. As Pro-Life Americans, we find ourselves amidst this raging war. We find ourselves with a mission, a calling, and a battle to be won.
Throughout history the culture of life has faced attacks, but new threats of increased gravity are presented to our culture. These threats to a healthy culture include abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide. They are not only present in society, but are widely accepted and advocated for. The pro-choice culture is one of death and destruction. In the culture of death, life is dictated by feeling, emotion, and selfish passion, rather than by objective morality and truth.
The state is the leading proponent of this culture of death. When governmental corruption arises and gives the state ultimate authority, the inalienable rights written in the heart of man cease to be considered rights because the state no longer deems them so. The state is not focused on its role to protect the dignity of the human person, but on the maintenance and expansion of power. As Pope John Paul II says in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, when speaking of the modern era, “Precisely in an age when the inviolable rights of the person are solemnly proclaimed and the value of life is publicly affirmed, the very right to life is being denied or trampled upon, especially at the more significant moments of existence: the moment of birth and the moment of death.”
The culture of death is now present world wide. It is ready to spread its lies and advocate for anti-life policies, such as abortion and euthanasia. The world seems to be covered in a cloak of darkness. Nevertheless, we shall not lose hope. As Pro-Life Americans, we have a responsibility to care for our fellow human beings. If we don’t fight now, we shall look back at the horrors of abortion and euthanasia, see the suffering of the innocent, and lament the victims of the war we did not fight. We are “a people of life and for life” (John Paul II). We are called to “walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8), and bring about a transformation of culture through joy, service, witness, and advocacy.
As members of the Pro-Life Movement, we know that our present circumstances are not the end of the story. We have eyes to see the rising sun growing ever more present amidst the current darkness. We can see the emergence of the culture of life: the culture of joy, servitude, family, and love. The cultivation of this culture is the essential mission of all Pro-Life men and women.
Fighting for the culture of life is not limited to political activism, advocacy, and education. The pro-life movement starts with each one of us. If we can cultivate a culture of life in ourselves, our families, and our communities, we will see that culture spread to the whole world. How do we cultivate this culture of life? By witnessing to the world the joy and beauty of life. We accomplish this by actively participating in life affirming events such as fun activities with friends and family, joyfully celebrating life at pro-life events, and living out the virtue of charity towards all people including enemies.
We also do this more concretely by engaging hearts and minds on the issues of abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide. Converting the culture is speaking in love and charity about the dignity of the human person. When we live in full accordance with the truth of the inherent sacredness and dignity written within each person, fighting to protect the intrinsic rights of each human being is truly joyous. Be not afraid to live in and fight for the culture of life. Keep in mind these words of G.K. Chesterton: “The supreme adventure is being born.”
Blog by student leader, Kristi Lange – Oregon State Captain from G.K. Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley.