Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Farris:
I believe the Parental Rights Amendment is a good idea. But any good idea will attract opponents—often from both sides of the political spectrum. This week, I want to respond to some of the conservative critics of the Parental Rights Amendment.

The chief argument posed by these critics is this: Parental rights are God-given and inalienable, and not created by government. Therefore, it’s unnecessary or even dangerous for us to attempt to protect these rights by means of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Well, this is mistaken. While it’s certainly true that “God-given,” inalienable rights are created by God, not by governments, this does not mean that it’s wrong for government to protect God-given rights. The Declaration of Independence states this very plainly:

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�

The Founders made it clear. Rights come from God. But the very reason we have government is to ensure these God-given rights are protected.

Next time, I’ll show why the Constitution is exactly the right place to secure these rights—including the God-given right of parents to direct their children’s education. I’m Mike Farris.