DECLARATION OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
In Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
We, the undersigned, respectfully declare to the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the World that the U.S. Constitution includes two “Life Clauses;” that these “Life Clauses” protect all life from commencement; and that the original meaning of these clauses correspond to America’s founding principles.
WE DECLARE: In order to derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, judges must construe the words of the written Constitution according to the original meaning of the words at the time of adoption.
WE DECLARE: There are two LIFE Clauses in the Constitution - the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
The Fifth Amendment states: “no person . . . shall be deprived of LIFE . . . without the due process of law . . .” (1791); and
The Fourteenth Amendment states: “. . . nor shall any state deprive any person of LIFE . . . without due process of law; nor deny to any person . . . the equal protection of the laws.” (1868).
WE DECLARE: The Declaration of Independence specifically recognizes the God-given, unalienable right to Life; its words are critically important to understanding the Life Clauses in the Constitution; as it was written in the same historical period as the Fifth Amendment; and it says:
“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 - That, to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, . . .”
WE DECLARE: The United States’ common law, statutes, and governments (state and federal) outlawed abortion for approximately 200 years (from the 1770’s to the 1970’s) recognizing the first duty of government to protect Life - the right to live.
WE DECLARE: Protecting Life from its commencement is consistent with the original meaning of the Constitution.
WE DECLARE: James Wilson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution said, “human life, from its commencement . . . is protected by the common law . . .”
WE DECLARE: John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration and Supporter of the Constitution[1] said: “[in America] we have denied the power of life and death to parents.[2] Parents have a duty to protect their children.[3]
WE DECLARE: America’s founding principles, original intent, just law, and timeless human rights forbid abortion.
WE DECLARE: The Life Clauses in the Constitution forbid abortion.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD, we humbly agree with the plans and purposes for this nation and call upon the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, the President, and our fellow citizens to preserve, protect, and defend LIFE.
THEREFORE, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and nations,[4] we urgently plead and fervently pray for the U.S. Supreme Court to Recognize the right to Life in the Life Clauses in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and apply them according to Life’s original meaning, and thus, to forevermore protect LIFE from commencement.
SUPPORTING REASONS TO ELIMINATE ABORTION
AND HELP WOMEN IN NEED
WE DECLARE: Abortion Hurts Women, Men And Society. The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that abortion hurts women by causing “devastating psychological consequences,” per Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 at 882, (1992) and “. . . Some women come to regret aborting the infant life they once created and sustained. Severe depression and loss of esteem can follow.” Gonzales v. Carhart, 550 U.S. 124, at 159 (2007) with even Justice Ginsburg wrote that “for most women, abortion is painfully difficult,” Id. at 183, n. 7., Abortion ultimately hurts everyone involved and damages the very fabric of our society.
WE DECLARE: Safe Haven Laws Eliminate The “Burden” of Parenting. No woman in America legally has to parent a child if she does not want to do so. All women in America can now have the false “freedom” of Roe v. Wade without killing their child and injuring themselves, through Safe Haven laws available in every state. She can safely surrender the child at a hospital or fire station at birth or within a certain period of time after birth and be free of all burden of parenting at no cost, with no legal procedure. See www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org. Thus, America can now both help the mother and protect the child, with 1-2 million American women waiting to adopt newborns every year.
WE DECLARE: Abortion Is Racist. Abortion is a crime against humanity, like slavery and segregation in the American past. Abortion must also be eliminated as abortion disproportionately kills African Americans. It is racist and was originally promoted by Margaret Sanger, the Planned Parenthood Founder, to reduce the African American population of our country. African Americans are not “an inferior race” as the Supreme Court falsely stated in Dred Scott and they should be fully protected under the Constitution, including Black babies in the womb.
[1] Founding Generation, Freedom Express Exhibit Guide, John Witherspoon (1723-1794)
[2] Lectures on Moral Philosophy, (Princeton University Press, 1912) p. 85
[3] Lectures on Moral Philosophy, (Princeton University Press, 1912) p. 84
[4] Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day, Washington, D.C., March 30, 1863
prayer points
VISION PROPOSAL PRAYER POINTS FOR
The Supreme Court to Find the Right to Life in the Existing Constitution-
That Millions Would Join in Prayer
That the U.S. Supreme Court would find the Right to Life expressly written twice in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and interpret “Life” according to its original intent and public meaning at the time they were adopted to protect the life of children before birth, as well as after birth.
That America and the Supreme Court would remember that it was understood that Life is a precious gift from God; that Life must be protected in law before birth, from the first moment of life. Historically, pregnant women during the adoptions of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments were usually described as “with child.” Pray that the Court will actually follow the Fourteenth Amendment to make abortion illegal throughout America, just as slavery is today.
That a significant national and international prayer movement would arise and be led to pray for the Supreme Court to find the Right To Life in the existing Constitution.
Resources
A Vision Proposal For Making Abortion Illegal Throughout America
This document presents a vision for making abortion illegal across the United States, authored by Allan E. Parker, Jr.
Research Presentation
This presentation discusses the Right to Life in the U.S. Constitution, its historical context, and interpretations by the Founding Fathers.
Contact us