Commentary by Troy Newman
Today I’ve become an outlaw; a dissenter; an enemy of the state. Without my consent, the U.S. Congress passed a law that forces my conscience and conviction into an inescapable corner. I do not want to be in this position. I did not ask for it. I have not even taken a single action that would put me on the wrong side of the law – yet, somehow, here I am suddenly “breaking” it.
Eighteen years ago, I left my full-time job with an aerospace firm in San Diego to become a full-time ordained minister. When I left my employment, I also left my health insurance. Since my new position as a minister scarcely paid the bills, my family relied on God’s provision to cover all of our healthcare needs, as well as everything else in our lives. Again and again, God showed Himself faithful, and I slowly learned over the next two decades to put all of my trust in Him.
When my children were born, the money to pay the doctors was delivered too. When someone was sick, or needed stitches, or a broken bone set, or a minor surgery, God would provide the means necessary to cover the medical costs incurred.
Thankfully, all seven of us have been relatively healthy. We eat right, we exercise, and we don’t participate in risky lifestyles. (Though, some might argue that it was hazardous for 5 members of our family to pursue our black belts in martial arts.)
For the record, I’m not opposed to insurance. I have insurance on my house and car. I have a term life insurance policy in case the Lord takes me home a little early. But, when it comes to health insurance, each year I have weighed the costs and have opted to take a pay-as-you-go approach. For my family, that approach works, just as it works for hundreds of millions of people around the globe every day.
I also do not think I’m invincible. I am fully aware that this body of mine will not go on forever, but my life is in the Lord’s hands, and I believe history shows that there are far worse possibilities than death – like living under a totalitarian government with no respect for our belief of freedom.
Left unchecked, this new healthcare law is fully capable of leading the United States into becoming a police state. That may sound crazy to some – like I should be wearing a tinfoil hat or something – but I’m a student of history, and it doesn’t take long to see the scope of past civilizations that have been seduced into surrendering, first, their rights, and then their lives, all under the offer of some so-called protection.
I’ve read the healthcare law; it isn’t going to protect, save, or help any of us. What it is going to do, however, is strip away our rights and directly fund abortion. I have consulted with several experts and law firms on the imbedded abortion funding in the new healthcare law, and I can say with certainty: ObamaCare forces us to pay for abortion.
So, let me be very clear on this new healthcare: I may be the very person Congress is claiming to help, but I don’t want or need their assistance regarding my family’s health. I am a free citizen who pays my medical bills as they come. Furthermore, I am absolutely morally opposed to funding baby killers. In fact, I have spent the last two decades fighting to stop abortion, and I will be damned if I’m going to give them any money now.
This is not the case of a rebel searching for a cause. This cause found me when Congress decided our Constitutional rights and our pre-born children were expendable. I wasn’t a criminal yesterday, or for the past 18 years, but somehow today I find myself on the other side of the law. So be it. I’ve seen all the chest thumping coming from Washington, and I’ve heard all about “red-lines” and “no negotiations,” but I’m just a simple man with a simple plan.
I’m not buying a healthcare policy that will fund abortion, and I’m certainly not paying any penalty for freely choosing to do so. At some point, they may lock me up. Before that, I’ll probably get some threatening letters and a few visits from the healthcare cops. At the end of the day, however, my answer will be the same:
I trust in the Lord and I comply with all just laws, but I will not comply with any unlawful mandate to participate in the killing of innocent children.
If you feel the same way, I encourage you to look at A Pledge for the Preservation of Life and Liberty. If you are able, add your signature, and be one of the first to tell Congress: Thanks, but no thanks. We prefer a respect for life and our nation’s hard-earned religious freedom!
[This commentary also appeared on WND.com, LifeNews.com and LifeSiteNews.com]