America: Land of Freedom for All?

July 7, 2015

Hundreds of thousands of Americans gathered at the Nation's Capitol on the 4th of July to celebrate our independence. The crowds were awash in red, white, and blue clothing, and many Captain America t-shirts dotted the crowd at the parade. Flags were being proudly waved everywhere and seemingly by everyone.

Energy was high as the parade began. Those hundreds of thousands of people were eager to celebrate their freedom. No whispered threats of ISIS attacks could dissuade them from celebrating.

They were not afraid of danger. When it began to pour down rain and when lightning flashed from the sky, the U.S. Park Services had to close the Mall in order to get the people to seek cover. As soon as the rain subsided, the American people were right back out there to continue the celebration.

That's the spirit of Americans: we share common experiences, dreams, and even joyous public events. While the rain poured down, Americans from all across the country huddled together in sheltering awnings. Everyone was united in the festivals. All were equal under the rain and under the law.

And yet one group of Americans was there declaring that something was wrong. They declared that there is deep inconsistency in our land. These concerned Americans were arguing that the equality declared in our founding documents is still not being applied to all people.

They were holding signs noting that up to 58 million unborn persons have been legally aborted in the United States since 1973. They argued that these millions of persons have not been afforded the liberty and equality upon which America is founded. These pro-life activists declared that the promise of America has not been fulfilled. America is not fully the land of the free, because the unborn do not experience the right to life.

This is a country whose founding document proclaims that "all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with ... the right to life..." while what the Founders called "generations yet unborn" do not enjoy the fulfillment of this God-given right. Not all men are treated equally in the United States of America today. And until they are, the celebration of Independence Day will be incomplete.