To the editor:

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” These words are found in the second paragraph of our “Declaration of Independence” from Great Britain, adopted July 4, 1776.

Yet, we know from history that not all men were considered equal when this Declaration was signed. Today we are still not perfect in treating others as we would want to be treated. “Life” is described as being a right, endowed to all men “by their Creator.” I do think the men who signed their names to this document believed that God, as their Creator, makes it possible for a planted seed to grow.

Do we still consider life as a gift from God? A gift we are responsible to care for? After the first son of Adam and Eve killed his brother Abel, “The Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother? Cain asked God, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?'” “The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen. Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground . . .’ “(Genesis 4:9) Each life is precious to God. A man and woman’s God-given ability to reproduce a life is a gift from God. Yes, it is a big responsibility, one which God intended to be received within a couple’s marriage. “Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.” (Genesis 3:20)

It was common, in the 50s, for girls to write in a friend’s autograph book this little verse: “First comes love; Then comes marriage. Then comes ( friend’s name with a boy’s name) with a baby carriage.” Many no longer follow this order of events. Respect and responsibility, gone. The commitment of marriage helps to seal the commitment of husband to wife. Isn’t the key to living a happy, productive life being aware of the responsibility we all have for one another’s life and happiness? When there is trouble, there are people and agencies to help us through them. When an abortion is needed to save a mother’s life, there is still a life lost. Rather than demanding “Reproductive rights for women”, we could focus on advocating that we “live responsibly!” or “keep life a right.”

Trudy Madetzke

Marshall