The New York Times on March 6 published a story about Jonathan Krohn, a 14-year-old boy who is also a conservative pundit attracting attention and making headlines: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/fashion/08conserve.html. Jonathan was invited to speak recently at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.  You can view his speech at CPAC here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vz1TVpwme0.

How refreshing that someone who so young is able to clearly, articulately, and accurately communicate about true conservative principles (especially about respecting life).   And how predictable that those who disagree with conservative principles have blasted Jonathan -- and his parents.  The fact that Jonathan is being homeschooled has undoubtedly intensified the critics' wrath. The stereotype that parents who homeschool their children are "sheltering" them from the real world is an erroneous generalization usually made by those who don't really know much about homeschooling.  Jonathan is another example of how homeschooled kids are excelling in extraordinary ways. (For another fine example, see Tim Tebow).

So to all the critics, I say go ahead and keep criticizing Jonathan, his parents, and other homeschool parents all you want. Go ahead and continue whining, complaining and worrying about the supposedly dire future of the millions of homeschool children who are being "brainwashed" by their "narrow-minded" and "intolerant" parents.  But before you go too far, here is a haunting and humbling fact for you to consider: The public and private school systems spend an average of $6,000 - 12,000 per student while homeschool parents spend only about $1,000 per student per year.   Yet on average, homeschool students in grades 1-4 perform one grade level higher than their public and private school counterparts.   And by grade 8, the average homeschool student performs four grade levels above the national average.*

To all the other homeschool parents, I say keep your head up and keep up the good work. Don't let the pressures of the elite liberal establishment (along with well-meaning but ill-informed friends and family) get you down. Stories like Jonathan Krohn, Tim Tebow, and countless others are validation that homeschooling works.  You are doing a noble, purposeful and sacrificial job and your children will benefit from it tremendously.

And to Jonathan Krohn, I say go get 'em, young man! Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young - specifically a young conservative who happens to be homeschool student.

* Source:
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/15078
http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp?bhcp=1
http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/43/hshb4307.asp

"Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion. Please don't kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child and be loved by the child."

Those words were spoken by Mother Teresa at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC on February 3, 1994. Picture for a moment this little seemingly fragile woman stepping up to the podium before some of the world's most powerful people, including Bill Clinton, the President of the United States. Without hesitation or trepidation, she delivered one of the most moving and effective pro-life speeches ever recorded. This humble woman - who for years worked tirelessly and quietly to care for the poor and needy living in the slums of Calcutta - stood in front of most powerful people in the world and fiercely defended the most powerless people in the world, unborn children.

Mother Teresa's defense of the unborn did not simply feature the familiar pro-life messages and themes. She took it a step further - she offered a personal, practical solution. She summarized that solution in four short sentences, "Please don't kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child and be loved by the child." Is there a more appropriate, compelling, and challenging pro-life message than that?

That challenge remains appropriate and compelling today, perhaps more so than ever, both for society in general and pro-lifers in particular. How many of us would be willing to echo Mother Teresa's words and possess the same heart for the safety and well-being of the child, mother, and families? How many of us have a heart that is golden enough to unapologetically, unequivocally, and uncompromisingly proclaim the following to any woman facing a crisis pregnancy: I am willing to do whatever it takes to help you avoid making a horrible mistake of abortion, while at the same time offering you hope, saving the life of your child, and bringing joy to another family.

Most importantly, how many of us are willing back up our words and the desire of our hearts with our actions? As the saying goes, "action speaks louder than words." Or to put it another way: your walk talks like your talk talks, but your walk talks much louder than your talk talks. Mother Teresa, among many others who have gone before us, was a person whose walk talked much louder than her talk. Yet on one early February morning, in the most powerful city of the most powerful nation, in a room packed with the most powerful people, Mother Teresa spoke her words softly. But her message was heard loud and clear, penetrating and cutting the heart of the matter. And in the process she revealed her heart and exposed where our hearts should be - aligned with hers in the unabashed desire to help every mother and potential mother to do the right thing, to give life to the unborn child, hope for herself, and joy to another family.

Here is a news flash to all parents in America:  you are destroying the economy.  That is the conclusion of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  Yes, you are one of the villains of this sinking economy.   The solution, according to Speaker Pelosi, is to stop procreating - and the government should help pay for it.   And if you do procreate, the government should help pay for that "consequence" as well. 

In an interview with George Stephanopoulos Sunday morning on ABC's "This Week," Pelosi boldly defended a move to add funding for the abortion business in the Congressional economic stimulus bill.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?" Stephanopoulos asked.

"Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs," the top Democrat responded.

"One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government," Pelosi added.

"So no apologies for that?" Stephanopoulos continued.

"No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy," Pelosi added.

I wonder if Speaker Pelosi realizes that roughly half of the 50 million people who have been aborted since 1973 would be taxpaying citizens by now.  Imagine what kind of impact 25 million additional taxpayers would have on the economy.  The pending social security crisis is due to an insufficient number of workers necessary to pay for the large number of people about to retire.  Guess what happened to 50 million potential contributors to social security?  Imagine the number of future business owners, entrepreneurs, economists, House Speakers, and presidents who have been aborted.

I wonder if Speaker Pelosi realizes that America needs to produce 2.1 children per couple to keep up with births to support the population -- and that rate is not being maintained. Economies in Europe have been especially hurt by a drop in birth rates.  Japan faces such strong underpopulation problems that companies are more frequently letting their workers leave work early: to go home and make babies. Leading electronics firm Canon has resorted to the early leave policy because the nation's low birthrate is causing a shortage of workers.  Memo to Ms. Pelosi: to get ahead in the world's economy, we must continue - not stop - having children.

I wonder if Speaker Pelosi realizes that she has five children and six grandchildren.  So based on her own logic, she is one of the biggest culprits to this economic problem. I mean, five children?  Was it really necessary to destroy the economy like that, Ms. Pelosi?  No citizen, no politician, no Speaker of the House, should be alllowed to bring five children into this world without facing some consequences. 

I wonder if Speaker Pelosi will resign as a consequence for having caused such economic pain and strain on society by her audacity to bring five children into this world? 

Dear Mom,

A very important event is about to take place in your life. This event will certainly change your plans and goals as well as mark the end of our journey -- and the beginning of a new one. As that special time approaches, I would like to take a moment to share with you some of my thoughts and concerns about this incredible journey that we are making together.

It has been quite a journey, would you agree?   You know Mom, if you could see how much progress I have made so far, you would be so proud of me.   You would be so proud to witness the first 40 days of my life. It was very exciting because that was when all my physical features began to form and develop, including my heart and brain. My muscles developed along with my future spine, the foundation for my nervous system was laid, my skeleton was formed, and my reflex had begun.   You know what else, Mom? I even learned to swim and perform back-flips. Just think, I have the potential to become an Olympic swimmer!   But the most incredible thing, Mom, is that all these things took place in my life before you even knew you were pregnant.

After you did learn that you were going to have me, I continued to grow at a brisk rate.   By the eighth week of my life, every organ that I will ever need was present in my body, my stomach produced digestive juices, and my taste buds developed. I have to say, Mom, some of the things you ate were pretty interesting. The very next week I developed a habit that you will have to put up with later on – sucking my thumb. I also started doing some things that other people will probably think is adorable, like squinting, frowning, and for the first time, smiling. Oh, I also began to urinate about that time. The thought of another human being urinating inside your body may not be the most pleasant but as the saying goes, “a baby’s got to do what a baby’s got to do”. 

Being human and showing my individuality is something that I really started doing in my twelfth week. I expressed myself by turning my feet, curling my toes, making a fist, bending my wrists, and I’m sure you noticed when I kicked. Remember how I told you that I could swim when I was about six weeks old? Well, as I turned four months old, I not only swam but did somersaults and backstrokes. I’m telling you, Mom, you’d better sign me up for swim clubs real soon! 

Over the past couple of months I have been putting on the finishing touches to this fine body. I have developed a sleeping trend, which is probably music to your ears. I am discovering that sleep is very enjoyable, and I crave it more each day.   I think I am starting to understand the difference between days and nights.   Is it true that when you are sleeping is when I am most awake and alert? Sorry if I am keeping you up at night because I have my days and nights mixed up right now.

Despite sleeping so much, I have kept active lately.  Now that my body parts are fully functioning, I am trying to utilize each of them. Just yesterday, I exerted by strength for the first time by gripping my hands real tight.   I know that may not sound like a big deal but anytime I do something for the first time it is quite exciting.

Speaking of exciting, Mom, last night was great. I was waking up from my evening nap when I heard an echo throughout your body.   I listened intently and heard a distinct sound that was somehow special to me. It was then that I realized that special sound was your voice. Mom, you have a beautiful voice. You seemed really happy. Now I always look forward to hearing you, especially when you are singing.

I am looking forward to many things.   I cannot wait to see your face and for you to see mine.  Are you looking forward to seeing me? Mom, this morning I heard you mention how you might not want me. I was deeply hurt to hear that. You said that I would only interfere with your life and I was only a piece of flesh and tissue. Nothing could be further from the truth, Mom. If you could only see me now, you would realize that I possess every physical feature that you do – I’m a human being just like you, Mom. How could you say that I would be a burden to you when you have not even given me the chance to enter the world?   I guess that is all I am really asking, Mom, a chance to live. Isn’t that the least you could do for me? 

Please, Mom, give me a chance.

He was an unborn child like all others.  

Like all unborn children, he was fully human from the beginning. At the moment of conception, he became a member of the human race. His stature, size, dependency, stage of development, or place of residence did not alter his humanity. 

Like all unborn children, he was marvelously complex and wonderfully made from the beginning. A single thread of his DNA contained information equivalent to a library of about one thousand volumes, or six hundred thousand printed pages with five hundred words on each page. His genetic information from a single cell was the equivalent of fifty times the amount of information contained in the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Like all unborn children, he developed at an amazingly rapid rate from the beginning.   Within a month after his conception, he multiplied in size ten thousand times. Within a month and a few days after his conception, every body part that he would need to live outside of the womb was formed.  His heart was beating and pumping blood throughout his body; his eyes began to form; he had budding arms and legs; his brain had developed and controlled the movement of his muscles and organs; his mouth, ears and nose began to shape; his skeleton had formed; his brain waves are evident; he reflexively responded to stimulus. And he could feel pain. All of this occurred before his mother barely even noticed that she was pregnant.

He was an unborn child like many others. 

Like many unborn children, the circumstances of his family were less than ideal; more than challenging. His teenage mother was unmarried, undereducated and underprivileged. His earthly father was mysterious and unknown.  His teenage mother was accused of being irresponsible and irrational. His earthly father was chastised for being absent and selfish. At times his teenage mother felt inadequate and incapable. At other times his teenage mother felt scared and lonely. 

Like many unborn children, the circumstances of the world he was about to enter were less than appealing; more than overwhelming. There was political, economic, and social turmoil. There were wars, battles, and fights. There was poverty, hunger, and famine. There was crime, injustice, and unrest. Children were being abused, women being raped, and men being killed. Governments were oppressive, leaders were corrupt, and people were persecuted.  

Like many unborn children, the circumstances of his arrival were less than welcoming; more than disparaging. They said it would be better he did not enter the world. They said the world would be better without him.

Like many unborn children, he would prove them wrong.

He was an unborn child unlike any other.


Unlike any unborn child, he was fully human and fully God from the beginning. At the moment of conception, he became a member of the human race and remained a member of the Throne of Grace. His stature, size, dependency, stage of development, or place of residence did not alter his humanity or Deity.

Unlike any unborn child, he was conceived without human intervention. His teenage mother was pure, innocent, and chosen by God.  His earthly father was chosen by the same God for a different task.

Unlike any unborn child, his destiny in the world would be agonizingly painful, amazingly glorious, and divinely redemptive.   A single drop of his blood would be sufficient to cover the sins of all humanity. Every body part he would need to live would be bruised or broken.  His heart would be emotionally broken from the betrayals, and physically damaged from the beatings; his eyes would be swollen shut; his arms and legs would be torn and snapped; his brain would cease to control the movement of his muscles and organs; his mouth, ears and nose began would be smashed into a different shape; his skeleton would become deformed; he would reflexively respond to the torturous stimulus; his brain waves would dissipate and then disappear. And he would feel every pain. All of this would occur before his crucifiers barely even noticed that it was his love for them that held him on that cross. 

Unlike any unborn child, he came to this world because he chose to do it.  Because he loves us, he chose to become one of us. To save us, he would die for us. To give us life, he would defeat death.  They would say that no one could possibly do what he would claim to do. 

Unlike any unborn child, he would prove them wrong.

There is no question that the pro-life movement took a beating on November 4. In addition to the election of Barack Obama as president, there were five other defeats on election day:

Not very good results to say the least. Those results could depress even the most ardent pro-lifer. It certainly calls into question about what went wrong and where to go from here. 

Some pro-life leaders and commentators have advocated that a change in strategy is needed.   Specifically, the new strategy should focus less on changing abortion laws through the political process and more on changing hearts.

While the frustration and disappointment of this election is understandable, we still must fight both battles – changing laws and hearts – with equal passion, fervor, valor, and dogged determination. Yes, we lost some significant battles this year, the most damaging is the election of Obama, who may become the most radical pro-abortion president in history. If he lives up to his promise and record, he will push to loosen any restriction on abortion (even the partial birth abortion ban), while appointing pro-abortion Supreme Court judges, likely sealing Roe vs. Wade for another 30+ years.  

But despite the bad news, let’s not forget some important things:

1) The political climate and mood in this past election was extremely unfavorable to pro-life causes due to other non-related issues (financial crisis, unpopularity of President Bush / GOP, the mainstream media’s love affair with Barack Obama). It is hard to imagine a more unfavorable political climate than this year.    If the mood were not so uniquely unfavorable, the results may have been different on several items on the ballot. And an Obama loss would have certainly been much more possible if the financial crisis had not occurred a month prior to the election (and remember, Obama only won by a 6% popular vote margin despite benefiting from huge aforementioned advantages and raising almost five times more money than the McCain / Palin campaign). So while this year’s results were very rough, the same may not be true for the next election—or the ones after that—when the national climate and mood will be more advantageous.   One thing is for sure—we will never win the legislative battles if we give up. Losing is tough but not playing at all is unacceptable. 

2) Changing laws and changing hearts are not mutually exclusive. As Randy Alcorn notes his book, ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments, “It is true that hearts and minds—not just laws—need to change in relation to abortion. Yet, we often underestimate the power of law to mold thought as well as action. When slavery was abolished, people gradually began to think differently.   The civil rights movement brought about further changes in law, and further changes in people’s thinking. The law is a moral guide, a tutor that helps shape the conscience of society.”

3) Speaking of slavery and civil rights, consider how long it look to change laws in those areas.   Slavery had been accepted in society since as early as 2,600 B.C. The slave trade became a lucrative European industry in the fifteenth century. Several hundred years later, in 1787, William Wilberforce, a British abolitionist leader introduced legislation in the Parliament to abolish slavery. Year after year it was defeated. In 1807, a small victory was won when the slave trade in the British colonies was abolished. The ultimate aim of abolishing slavery itself was not accomplished until 1833, when Wilberforce, while on this death- bed, was informed of the passing of the Abolition of Slavery Act.   It had been 46 years since he first introduced the Act. 

In the United States, one of Britain’s former colonies, slavery can be traced to 1619, when the first slaves were brought to Jamestown, VA. In1857, the United States Supreme Court dealt a severe blow to the abolitionist movement when it ruled in the Dred Scott case that slavery was protected by the Constitution and could not be prohibited by Congress. The ruling became one of the causes of the American Civil War, which eventually led to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and then the enactment of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1865, completely abolishing slavery.  

The end of the Civil War led to the beginning of the civil rights movement. The movement to grant equal rights and protection to blacks endured a number of losses and struggles but eventually won due to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964—almost 100 years after slavery was abolished. 

So maintain some perspective—we may have lost some battles but not a war— far from it.   And we need to continue fighting to the end, using both arsenals, changing hearts and laws. The victory will come some day, perhaps in 10 years, perhaps 100. Until then, we must press on and fight until our last breath, just like Wilberforce and others who have gone before us.