Mary & Joseph: UNplanned Parenthood 33BC

Most Gazette readers require no reminder of the ‘unplanned’ (in this world) birth we venerate each Christmas. Some may recall a similarly titled 2015 Christmas column years ago. After accusation of over-emphasis upon the ‘tax-terror kings’ part of the story - i.e., the cruel tax Caesar Augustus levied coercing Mary and Joseph’s travail to Bethlehem -- I’ll focus on the righteous example of this brave union in God’s love who brought Jesus into this world some two thousand years ago.

I nonetheless advocate reading opening chapters of Prof. Charles Adams work, “For Good & Evil: the impact of taxes on the course of civilization,” for context on the House of David (tax revolt against Philistines) and Maccabean tax revolt which proffers donning Stars of David and Menorahs during this blessed season. Nothing new under the sun on what Rome had evolved into as the most recent episode of hegemony over Israelites this devout young Hebrew family suffered. The temple’s fate and taking the path of Barabbas over Jesus with the grim conclusion at Masada is fodder more apropos for a future Easter/Pascha column.

Matthew 1:18-20 explains Joseph’s love for Mary and belief in God was so strong he followed the angel’s instructions to continue the betrothed course and not quietly divorce Mary as she was indeed bringing the Son of God into this world. Fewer readers may recall US District Court Judge Myron Thompson’s 2015 Planned Parenthood ruling further assaulting civil rights of citizens who do not wish to subsidize those committing infanticide of their children. Reason Staff Editor Elizabeth Nolan Brown [10/28/15] wrote, “Alabama must restore the contract with Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider, at least for now, because Alabama offered no reason whatsoever for the sudden defunding, the state was likely in violation of federal Medicaid law, which requires letting patients see any provider that accepts Medicaid unless the state establishes that they're not qualified. Providers, of course, are not generally obligated to take Medicaid patients, and many don't because of low reimbursement rates. But under federal law, Medicaid patients have ‘freedom of choice’ among qualified Medicaid providers.”

With Myron Thompson AGAIN in the news this Christmas season for reinserting the federal government into the abortion debate, some still ask why the Hyde amendment (prohibiting use of federal funds for abortion except cases where the mother's life is in danger or pregnancy results from incest/incest) doesn’t apply to his injunction ruling. Hyde addressed a symptom; the source of the problem is unconstitutional federal programs/policies like Medicare/Medicaid imposed by extremists decades ago. In a world of ‘fungiblity’ Hyde doesn’t matter. Alabama Medicaid Agency records show $4,351 (Thompson’s 2015 order stated $5,600) paid for services to patients at Planned Parenthood's Alabama clinics over the last two years in Mike Cason’s Al.com report; payments were mostly for contraceptive services and did not include abortions.

Some (re)assert Thompson’s recent injunction reinforces Jane Doe's right to seek family planning services at the qualified provider of choice - which is absurd. Nothing has been done to deny Jane’s right - she (or any private donor who wishes to subsidize Jane) may purchase whatever service and/or provider however they see fit. Thompson’s poor training/understanding of the letter and Spirit of the Constitution fails to protect the civil rights of citizens in general NOT to subsidize Jane. States as the sovereign unit (who may also authorize local governments to act) may fund/subsidize abortions, fetal tissue, etc. but Alabama does not. Private expenditure of time and effort may also occur, some follow their conscience to take those wanting to kill their child’s life to locales which will do so; others follow their conscience to discourage killing and promote adoption, financial help in raising children of mothers often young, inexperienced and of meager means for the task. This ‘freedom of choice’ to devote one’s time, money and effort to the manner of assistance they prefer has been usurped for the modern ‘choice’ movement more interested in imposing their preferred result and have others pay for it.

Roe v. Wade is one of DC’s more tangible assaults on State sovereignty; I’m a pragmatist on the issue. If the people of a State want to allow murder in Massachusetts and not in Mississippi, it is NOT a federal offense. The definition and enforcement of murder isn’t authorised to the federal government. I’m not foolish enough to think banning murder will end all the killing (even less so the immediate and tangible murder of a defenseless child inside or just outside a womb) we’ve observed, but I want the freedom to possibly live in a State which doesn’t subsidize the murder of one’s own child. If you kill your own child, do it on your own purse. It is not a lot to ask federal judges to ban taking my treasure to subsidize what I find reprehensible. This is an integral part of securing blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.

My biggest grievance is to stop forcing that blood on my hands; even sadder observations are churches who’ve allowed governments to be their moral compass instead of God’s word. Romans understood and feared the fidelity of meek and poor to Christians who helped them more than their government asserting kindness and benevolence when the actions and results of Rome clearly shown the contrary. God gave individuals free will to live a righteous or sinful life. How can a righteous God find any joy/satisfaction for Himself and

creatures made in His image when coerced to meet any god’s desired end?

As I grow old, the most remarkable thing I find in the Christmas season is God’s willingness to send His Son into a world which shown (since Adam & Eve) a strong proclivity to sin/NOT follow God’s will. There was no guarantee Mary and Joseph (especially under such cruel circumstances) would do right; how many young couples today would do a fraction as well? Please do not fill my box with justifications like abortion wasn’t known/available then… that’s what made them righteous. Abortion/infanticide was also an option in 33 BC, Mary and Joseph have EARNED our veneration each year we celebrate the Nativity.

In keeping with the Christmas story, there’s little surprise potentates installed by the central authority are willing to use fear and killing of many innocent children to reassert/hold onto power. Matthew 2:1-16 explains Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of King Herod where wise men came from the east to Jerusalem asking, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” Following His star, they came to behold and worship Him. Herod was troubled by this and gathered his chief priests and scribes demanding where Christ would be born and they answered Bethlehem. Herod ‘privily’ summoned the wise men and inquired on the star’s appearance. Departing for Bethlehem Herod implored the wise men, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” They saw the young child with Mary and fell down to worship Him giving gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. After God’s caveat in a dream to not return to Herod, the wise men traveled back another way. Similarly, the Lord’s angel appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” When Joseph woke, among the most obedient recorded in the Bible, he took the young Child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt and remained there until Herod’s death. The wise men averting Herod triggered great rage. King Herod slew all the children of Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under according to the time he diligently inquired of the wise men.

Our modern Roman potentiates are just as adept in using fear and killing of innocent children as Herod in the attempt to (re)affirm their power and tyranny. Little surprise this federal judge continues to show such poor intellect and integrity. May God forgive jurists of this sort as they are victims of poor education in the Spirit and the law as were hypocrites exposed in the Gospels writing about those charged with keeping the temple pure and administrators of the law. Irrational to expect the wisdom of Solomon out of jurists like Moore & Thompson. One may foolishly expect a jurist who so strongly evokes the Decalogue to see the he must reconcile thou shall not murder with thou shall not steal. How does a wise man cut that baby in two?

I’d like to believe those who advocate not stealing/taking the property right to one’s body would not approve murdering squatters or ones refusing rightful eviction from their property. I pray most would also find ‘hired guns’ abhorrent who do it for those too weak or squeamish to commit the murder themselves. We have courts, law enforcement, etc. to accomplish this end and at one time the church and other private entities played a huge role in reducing abortions and burden of getting these unplanned/unwanted lives from others’ body/property humanely. Myron Thompson has already shown great disregard for individuals’ civil right to property, removing homeowners from property they held legal title to so others could live in their home - i.e., don’t expect any rational relief there. If this Judge were to make the case that the mother and child have rights to life and property in our State, perhaps our so called great legal minds may accomplish something more righteous. How much has our State wasted these past years in legal challenges? Can we at least respect the mother’s and child’s rights enough to provide resources to something (more in keeping with Solomon’s wisdom) which benefit both?

We (me and my bride) had others on our property for almost a year without any compensation because of cruel (or incompetent - does it matter?) bureaucrats and judges. Because Myron Thompson had no regard for our civil right we never received the allowance for having to accommodate these unwanted lives on our property, so it is unlikely this federal judge will care about young (likely of poor means) mothers and unborn children to advance a more tangible public good (reduced murders, offsetting the burden of addressing unwanted births for mother and child) but willing to assert stealing/takings for economic development, increased tax base and other redistributive endeavours politburo members can extract from, more to their self-interests.

At risk of sounding ‘old fashioned’ we imposed our first conscription acts understanding if we were to force a person into harm’s way, some compensation applied for the duration. Most States have some provision (however meager for most) for wrongful incarceration upon discovering one has served prison time foregoing other things they may have accomplished in life. Is conscripting a mother (who doesn’t want to volunteer) for months of foregone opportunity and what may be a hazardous/injurious duty all that different? If they wish to ‘run to Canada’ I know there’s little one can do to stop a ‘draft-dodger’ if history is any guide.

I’ve made it no secret in the past I find two Josephs among the most ‘unsung heroes’ of the Bible. Joseph’s (of Nazareth) courage in bringing Jesus into this world and Joseph’s (of Arimathea) courage to go to Pilate for Jesus’ body/preparation for burial exiting this world and His revealed resurrection three days later. I admire the Josephs of today who take responsibility for their station, I’ve known good men (and even given testimony in court for some of my former students) who fought to be a part of their child’s lives. I’ve also consoled men who were devastated that their child was killed as they were helpless to stop it. We can make the world a more grim or more joyful place - God’s word is the key to paradise in the long-run. I don’t see His word in the debate much these past several score to limit the killing, plundering, stealing, suffering and wrongful taking. Sad to see more taking the easy path and those so effectively increasing their power/wealth (as they lose their souls) benefiting from those taking the easy path.

This column is intended to be at least one sobering moment in your Christmas celebration to think about how important it is to stand against despotism in our federal, local and State governments. It is my sincere prayer all who know the power of Jesus Christ’s teachings will take Him into their hearts this blessed season and overcome the distraction of consumerism and destruction at the hands of the ruling elite who have made government their god. I know the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ, Son of the true God is indeed greater than the spirit of evil in the sons of Nimrod, Caesar(s) et al because it is His name which remains above all nations.

REJOICE in a small (unplanned to man) Child of God, relegated to be born in a cave at the behest of a despot pressing the world into deeper darkness, beginning in the City of David among the lowest of mankind by worldly standards would do more to shine God’s Light into a wicked world than Roman despotism could possibly contain. Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God. You can be God’s servant OR a servant to Rome; it is impossible to serve both. It really is that simple. The choice is yours to make/reaffirm every Christmas.