Our Threatened Freedom

Is There a War Against Children

Professor: Dr. R.J. Rushdoony

Subject: Political Studies

Lesson: 32-169

Genre: Conversation

Track: 032

Dictation Name: Vol. C - Part 06 – Is There a War Against Children

Location/Venue: Unknown

Year: 1980’s – 1990’s

[Dr. Rushdoony]Is there a war against children? This is R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.

We are all familiar with the fact that the Swedish Parliament has passed a law limiting the powers of parents in the name of children’s rights. Parents may not discipline their children, either by a physical spanking, or by depriving them of TV, or in any similar way imposing a restraint upon them.

The United Nations also has a child rights declaration which makes these points: first, the child must have reproductive freedom. That is, freedom for abortions, test tube babies, and so on.

Second, the child must have freedom for unrestrictive sexual practices or preference, including homosexual relations.

Third, unisex education.

Fourth, there are to be federally funded child development centers.

Fifth, the child must have a right to freedom from parental authority.

Sixth, liberation from patriotism and all such teaching.

Seventh, the liberation from capitalism and freedom for a new order, international and socialistic.

And eighth, liberation from religious training.

These so called rights are being enacted piecemeal by various states and courts. In one state, the age of consent has been lowered to thirteen. In many states, teenagers may obtain abortions without parental knowledge and consent. And the U.S. Supreme Court has sustained such laws.

In one state, a minister was convicted of child abuse for making his fourteen year old daughter go to Sunday school and church and sit through family prayers.

Much more can be added, but this is enough to indicate that a war is being waged against the biblical family and against children.

It is a war which threatens to reach into your own home and family. Like it or not, you are involved.

According to the Bible, the care and discipline of children belongs to the family, under God. The Bible is from beginning to end, full of commandments to parents and children.

And the pattern for family life is to be derived from God, not from humanism or the state.

What we are witnessing is a total war against biblical faith, the family, and the child. Make no mistake about it, this is a religious war. Humanism against Christianity. The lives of your children are at stake.

The courts and judges are saying that they, and not the parents, will make the basic decisions concerning the child. The sociologists and legislators together with the bureaucrats claim that they know best what is good for our children. And they are sure that we are not good for them. In fact, some of them regard us as the worst possible guides for children. They seem to be sure that all wisdom and all light was born with them and their kind.

Clearly there is a war against children and against parents also.

There is no escaping from this war, and there are no neutrals. Our future is at stake. Either we restore the family under God, or we lose our families and our freedom.

This is R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.