Hosea 4:6 (NASB)
When growing up my parents would tell you that I was less than an accommodating child. I was often rebellious, argumentative, and downright hard headed. Anyone reading my blogs can tell that some (if not all) of these has a tendency to bleed through. Rebel with a cause often yakking about something the establishment is doing. Always ready for the next fight, almost certain that the world will end if my thoughts are not heard and explained. Constantly hard headed, to the point that my wife has probably thought about getting my golf clubs out and play a round or two with my head. One of my favorite lines when I was a child to use on my parents was, “I’m going to sue you.” Now don’t ask me where I got the idea or the phrase. I watched a lot of Perry Mason but that was criminal law, not civil. On top of the fact that I was another ten to fifteen years from working for law firms. Of course my parent’s response always had that “yeah/right” smirk on their face, “Go ahead and try.”
While that story sounds ridiculous and funny, unfortunately in today’s atmosphere that story may be truer than we wish. I worked for almost fifteen years for attorneys before I came to work for the Southern Baptist Convention. I have seen and read my far share of ridiculous cases through the years. I also came in contact with a world that was sorted with the reality that all was not as it appears. One of those things I came in contact with was the erosion of parental rights and authority. Now I have a theory which I believe if anyone took the time to look into sociologically and politically they would find interesting. I plan on expounding on this theory with the devotionals at the end of Ezra/Nehemiah. But I believe that the erosion started in the 1960’s with no fault divorce. It was during this time that we began to allow judges to tell how families were going to be split up and how they were going to work because a couple of knuckleheads who could not get along. Now before you start throwing stones in regards to what I am saying, I have been through a divorce. Because of the no fault clause in our laws people can choose not to work it out, announce they are leaving, walk out and ruin parts of your life without a thought. Regardless, the parental authority issues began at that point because the child became the focus not the salvation of the marriage.
What is bringing this up? Several months ago on the Live From Criswell radio show, which took the place of Jerry Johnson Live, on KCBI, 90.9 FM in Dallas, Dr. Barry Creamer the host (and Professor of Humanities at Criswell College) brought a topic up dealing with a children’s rights treaty which the United Nations was pushing for ratification in the U.S. Senate. On the surface it sounds okay, but as always all things are not as they seem. A couple of weeks ago this same discussion about this same thing came up on the Mike Huckabee show where he interviewed the founder and president of www.Parentalrights.org , Mike Farris. A week later Dr. Barry Creamer brought it back up on the show he host with Dr. Brian Webster from Dallas Theological who is a member of www.Parentalrights.org.
In each situation the reasons for having such a document were understood with good reasons: child abuse and child neglect. However at the same time these formats also discussed why this was not necessary here in the United States primarily because there are laws already in place regarding these issues. While this may be something that other nations need which do not have child protection laws in place, our nation does not need to ratify such a treaty. They also made note of what this means in regards family relationships on a family to person level.
Let’s look at some of the ways in which our laws have already been used as an intrusive matter. First, as I have already noted, since the 1960’s divorce laws have been loosened. Before then you could still get a divorce it just had to be proven that adultery and neglect had occurred. From that point until now families are being told how the relationships can be built, who they can be built with, when they can be built and how they can be built. The courts also tell the parents how much can be spent each month for child care through child support payments. Today I still praise God that there were no children involved in my first marriage. The courts even demonstrate the strong arm of sovereignty by telling the primary parent were they can or cannot live. And the parent with visitation rights may be told where they can and cannot go with the children. This is the first area of intrusiveness.
Now enters CPS (Child Protection Services). While many of these people work hard at what they do and do it with skill, class and a great deal of understanding socially. Many of them are also very aware of what they are doing and the dangers which are involved if they make a mistake. They are often overloaded with case files and have a hard time making sure those who really need intervention, get it. However, at the very top of the pyramid there are those who have guiltless ambition about being intrusive into the lives of families who do not do anything. In some cases just an overstress mother yelling at a child in public for misbehaving can cause the child legal advocates to press abuse charges against otherwise model parent.
Those are just two examples of the intrusiveness which goes on under our laws that have watchdog groups keeping an eye on them. This treaty being discussed is even worse than that. As a treaty it will subvert the Constitution of the United States. Any laws in a treaty which are ratified immediately become the law of the land. Treaties are meant to show cooperation among nations. Unlike other nations we cannot pick and choose which part of the law we will obey. For us we have to take the treaty in entirety or reject it in its entirety. There is no middle ground.
So what does this mean for us as a nation, communities and family? In a socialistic nation the government often poises communities against one another; the same tactic would be used here. In a way we already have some of this kind of activity going on with home owner associations, statutory laws, and hate speech legislation. The treaty, turned law, will require us to turn each other in.
The scenarios of how this could affect us are astronomical. First, spanking your child, even with a proper motive, understanding and personal reflection would be illegal. If your child goes to school and complains that you spanked them, even if it’s not true, you’re in trouble. Some have noted that this could even mean if you yell at your child then abuse charges could be filed. Imagine a situation where your child is about to run into the street with a car coming down the road. Do you yield at the child in risk of having charges pressed against you for abuse? Or do you risk the child’s life and get put in jail for neglectful behavior and endangerment of a child? Either way you lose. For the school system this is even a double concern. Already many school districts have their hands tied regarding corporal punishment leaving many teachers and administrators in a lurch with discipline problems. (I will actual blog on the punishment and school situation in a week. There is an article from Newsweek, of all people, which looks at this.) Let’s say you attend church, but you eight year old doesn’t want to go. There is a religious clause in this treaty which does not allow you to force your child to attend services even if you want too. Perplexing or disturbing? What if they don’t want to take the vaccine or go to school or brush their teeth? It may be crazy to imagine but you won’t have the authority to make them do any of this without the possibility of having abuse charges placed against you. And if you choose not to have them do these life/health saving things then you could easily be charged with neglect and endangerment of a child. I’m telling you, you lose either way. Don’t worry, just in case you think that your child won’t know about this, there will be a campaign in the public schools, internet and television to help educate them of the fact. ( www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/19/rosemond-treaty-abolishes-rights-of-parents/ ) (www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={81C1F260-4A9F-4013-8164-68A360E295A5}&DE= ).
Another problem would be the courts. Now the courts (from a local municipal judge to the Supreme Court) would be obligated to rule based on international law not Constitutional law. Your rights as an individual and not just as a parent will be eradicated. Here is the clincher…this will not show up all at once. It will be slow in coming about to the point that the quantum leap can be made with very little opposition. Believe me when I say that in the 1980’s I warned Christians and churches of the on-coming danger and possible laws regarding homosexuality and was met with stiff necks and hushing mouths which said, “This is America. Nothing like that can happen here.” And what is happening on Capitol Hill?
What can be done? There are several things which can be done. First, pray for our leaders. This is a command in Scripture. It is something we should always do. Second, go to www.Parentalrights.org and learn more about this subject and the possible ramifications. Third, the Senate is due to vote on this bill sometime in September, start making your voice known by phone, e-mail, and letter. Forth, make people aware of what is going on by sending them here or to www.Parentalrights.org , www.barrycreamer.com or www.mikehuckabee.com . The more people who hear and act the better the out come. Fifth, listen to news sources very closely. As the vote gets closer ramp up more activity against it. Sixth, make your opposition know to the President by phone, e-mail, and letter. Seventh, keep sharing what is going on. Last, pray! We must continue to pray for the grace and mercy of God on our homes, communities and nation. Pray!
God bless you and your family!
Steven Swaim
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