Written by: Lindsay Bruggeman
“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 is the first sentence of the United State Declaration of Independence which was passed on July 4th, 1776. As we spend this weekend celebrating, there is one part of that phrase in particular that should strike us all with incredible conviction; “unalienable Rights…Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
How easy it is to take for granted the right to life. I enjoy dressing in red and blue and watching fireworks after cookouts as much as the next person, but what about those who will never get to celebrate this monumental day, or any day for that matter? Without this first unalienable right, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are both irrelevant.
That isn’t to say that we shouldn’t celebrate the birthday of our great nation. I firmly believe that the United States of America is a gift from God and we should enjoy it as such, but we should do it responsibly. What does enjoying it responsibly mean? It means preserving the rights that we have been granted and ensuring that they are not being infringed upon.
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