Senator John McCain surprised much of the country yesterday, announcing Sarah Palin as his running mate in the upcoming November elections. I was surprised too. The historic move was obviously a strategic grab at women votes, but from what I know about the Alaskan governor, she can offer much more to our country.
I do not care to offer any sort of endorsement for a political candidate in the blogosphere. After watching parts of the Democratic National Convention and news clips of speeches throughout the election season, I have grown tired of the whole thing. But the news about Governor Palin was different. Why?
Sarah Palin is a mother of five, including Trig Paxon Van Palin. Trig was born on April 18, 2008 with an extra chromosome. Down Syndrome. You have to understand that raising a child with Down Syndrome while having a political career is difficult. In fact, it is difficult for any family. With the news that Sarah had in December before her son was born–this news that her child will likely have Down Syndrome–she knew having her son would change her life and possibly put her career on hold. Al Mohler wrote about this a few months ago. In that blog article, Mohler says:
The Palins never considered aborting the baby. That means that Trig Palin is now is a very rare group of very special children [up to 90 percent of all Down Syndrome pregnancies end in abortion], because it is now believed that the vast majority of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome before birth are being aborted.
Gov. Palin chose to have the baby. She and her husband never considered abortion. Like every human being born since the Fall, I know Gov. Palin is a sinner. I know she makes mistakes. I doubt her political goals are 100 percent dedicated to the glory of God. But, at least in this circumstance, I know that she loved her son, Trig, enough to give him a chance to live and be enjoyed by her family. I know that she looks at her son like any mother should and adores him. Sure he has an extra chromosome. Sure it will be difficult. But just like you and me and every person who has been born, Trig bears the image of God and has a right to his life, to give us hope, to show us the wonder and beauty of a child with Down Syndrome, and to enjoy the world as well.
I do not know if Gov. Sarah Palin is a perfect choice for vice president. Often politics and law disappoint us. But at least one politician has made a beautiful choice: she knowingly gave birth to her son, Trig. She is committed to seeing more children avoid abortion, and so am I. So no matter how bleak the contemporary political scene gets, there is at least one thing I hope comes to pass in my lifetime. That one thing is to see an end to abortion and to see God honored and glorified in the birth of every precious child, like Trig Paxon Van Palin.
This is a precious post. thanks. selahV
Palin proves in deeds her love and courage: being a proud mother of five children, and a son with Down syndrome, is a good sign. I do not agree with creationism (I agree that there is a Creator God, a different thing). In any case, I think that I could trust in this woman. Even with a not long political experience.
Good luck, America!
Santiago, Granada (Spain)
http://opinionciudadano.blogspot.com/
I agree wholeheartedly. I had a cousin with 13q-deletion, and he was more severely handicapped than mos Down Syndomre children. My aunt and uncle never considered abortion either, and for the seven short years that he was with us he was a precious blessing despite the difficulties. I respect Gov. Palin more than I can express for her decision to give Trig a chance at life.
Like her, it seems harsh to abort one, and have kept the others, not knowing anyone’s true health potential. If you really work with a down’s syndrome child, they often can hold down jobs, read, memorize. Even marry. You feel guilt when a family member hasa problem! She treats him the same as her other kids!
I don’t get your doubting Thomas feeling! Sarah and I disagre politically, but she strives to be a good person! Thanks for your blog! See ya round!
I have been reading Sarah Palin posts for most of the day, and this one moved me like no other. Thank you.
Spirited Dona,
You said you don’t get my doubting Thomas feeling. Let me try to explain what I was trying to get across there. As a Christian, I believe in propositions. One proposition that the Bible makes clear is that we are all a part of fallen humanity (see Rom. 3:10-18). The pervasive effects of the fall often distort our intentions and judgment, making it easier for us to make mistakes (cf. Rom. 7:15-17).
Not only that, but we also sin of our own account (cf. Rom. 1:32). For those reasons, we need Jesus Christ (cf. Rom. 6:23). We need him both for salvation and to be conformed to his image. Yet while we are a part of this world, we are progressively being conformed to his image, from one degree to another (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18).
So, I wouldn’t call it a doubting Thomas feeling. I am not doubting Palin as much as I am saying, like Derek Webb, “We’ve never had a Savior on Capitol Hill.” I think every American should be careful to discern all of the issues and what the candidates or representatives think of them. In that way, we can lobby and pray for those issues to be handled in a way that honors the value of human life, and ultimately the God who gave us life and responsibility.
In view of that, when I say I know Sarah Palin is a sinner and makes mistakes, I am likewise saying, “So do I.” I hope every American has that in mind. No politician will be perfect. No politician will deal with dirty issues without also getting their own hands dirty. But, with some politicians, we can be encouraged by at least some of what they do and what they stand for. As for Sarah Palin, I smile knowing she loves her boy, Trig. And I smile knowing she will labor to see that other children like him get to see and experience life in this world.
There are other political things that she stands for that I agree with. Some not. But I do admire her as a mother who said yes to having a Down Syndrome baby. I pray she never falls in the public square, but if she does, I at least know she did something that honors God, like every mother should, by having that baby and adoring him.
Hopefully that better explains why I wrote that into this post.
@ All: thanks for reading this post. Spain? How about that. Jacqueline, I pray other families will do what your Aunt and Uncle did. What a tremendous blessing every child is to our world!
Great post!
One of the other reasons I am excited about Sarah Palin is that she is one of US – regular, ordinary Americans. She is not a “Washington insider.” She understands the things that we worry about, because she worries about those same things.
For all the people that harp about how “unexperienced” she is, go back and read a little bit about our Founding Fathers. They were mostly FARMERS for crying out loud. They were regular people that stood up and did something important when it mattered. They didn’t have any political experience. And they created the greatest country on the face of the earth. It is time to get back to those roots.
Word out is the newest sont of Gov Palin really is not hers but her teenage daughters child. Can someone clear that up as I don’t like her french twist hair do, or her approval of helicopter hunting of wolves, but is that her or her daughters child?
There are serious rumors that the child is Bristol’s.
Please, read the full story here http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/30/121350/137
Is Sarah Palin really pro-life?
http://giannina.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/pro-life-pro-war/
@ All:
Elect Exiles does not have a published comment policy. It usually is not an issue. FYI: I do not mind divergent opinions in the meta, but I will delete comments that are vulgar, off-topic, or cut-and-paste blurbs from other blogs.
Now, on to addressing the above comments:
@ Cathy:
You asked, “Is Sarah Palin really pro-life?” If not for your link, your question might be legitimate. But what you really are asking is: “Is Sarah Palin’s pro-life stance consistent in view of her support of our troops in Iraq?”
So, I read your post. Your argument is a straw man. The pro-life issue is a different issue from the war in Iraq. Your post is easily confuted because it shows your argument only has bits and pieces of Scripture in view. Government still serves a purpose to wield the sword, govern the people, etc. Nowhere does the Bible teach differently. It is our duty as citizens to demand justice of our government. If that leads you to protest the war in Iraq, that is one thing. But that does not mean that you can wed the issue of abortion to the issue of war. Yes, each issue needs to be weighed and assessed. However, if you are going to argue against the war in Iraq, do not set up a straw man just to have it torn to shreds or dismissed without causing people to actually think about what you have to say.
Click here if you would like a fuller view of what I am saying about the difference between the issue of abortion and war in view of Scripture and read pp. 1-2 (abortion) and pp. 23-24. Make careful note of the key difference between the role of government and individuals when it comes to bearing the sword. I will agree with Spurgeon: we are to follow Christ and “go without the camp.” Yes, Christians are to “no longer be of [the world].” But this is not to suggest that we cannot speak truth into the world, urging Senators and friends to carefully consider the ramifications of their decisions. But when we do, we must speak of what the whole counsel of God declares about the issue we are addressing (see especially Rom. 13:1-4). The topic of abortion is a different issue. There may be some overlap of principles, but declaring war on a nation that is judged to be a national and global threat to security is not the same as judging the slaughter of unborn babies as murder. If the war is unjust and a result of undue aggression, then I will agree, those responsible should be held accountable for their atrocities (cf. the prosecution of Nazi leaders following World War II, especially in view of the Holocaust).
@ Nearly Normalized and Cesarbarroso:
I have some advice. Do not look for answers to rumors on the blogosphere. That is no better than searching through supermarket tabloids in order to provide commentary for a term paper. If you really want answers, search legitimate news sources and syndicates to see if there is anything to back up the rumor (e.g. NY Times, Washington Post, CNN, etc.). I have searched several major aggregates and have found nothing of substance on any major news source, including MSNBC, which I would imagine would love to authenticate the rumor. Still, if any rumors are confirmed, we will all deal with the circumstances.
Yes, I do understand Gov. Palin is under an ethics investigation for the dismissal of the state police chief. And, if you read this post carefully, I did my best to make it clear that I was not writing in order to endorse Palin, nor was I writing in order to suggest she stands head-and-shoulders above inquiry.
Besides, the truth of the matter remains that a young boy with Down Syndrome was born rather than aborted. Changing the mother from a governor to a teenage child does not dismiss the reality that Trig is a precious child, who could have been aborted just like so many others, but wasn’t. In fact, I would imagine the stress of a teenager dealing with a pregnancy like that would only magnify the major point of this post.
@ Heroic Life:
First, your comment will be deleted. If you really want to say something, do not copy and paste from your blog to another blog’s comment meta. Your comments are welcome. Divergent comments are welcome. However, if your comment does not show that you have read the article, then why should I keep it?
I will address a few things you said. To your point that ‘religious morality’ in general is different from ‘genuine values,’ your argument is an ad hominem, appealing to prejudice rather than rational conclusions. Do you actually think that every religious person operates on a completely irrational worldview? I doubt even Richard Dawkins would venture that far.
Now, also allow me to be frank. Loving a child born with Down Syndrome is not analogous to parading a ‘freak show.’ If you actually believe that I am pro-life in order to pursue my own ends, then you blatantly misinterpret why I believe abortion is an evil practice. I believe every human life is precious to God and to violate the sanctity of human life, to play the role of God without having a fully objective view of all things, is to violate reason. That is not superstition nor emotional religiosity.
Also, unless you are unaware, note that your examples of a child being born of Down Syndrome to, for example, monks who set themselves on fire, is a ridiculous straw argument. If you want people to take you seriously, it helps to avoid those. Also, your argument presupposes that a child with Down Syndrome can have no joy. I have known too many kids with Down Syndrome who just don’t fit that conclusion. Your argument is both philosophically and experientially flawed.
Thanks for this post Kevin, it seems its impossible to write about these things without people getting all political!
Well we did have two posts in a row addressing political issues–abortion and school! Oh well. I am glad you are monitoring the comment meta.
Dr. Mohler did a radio show on “Genetic Outlaws” which is what mother who choose to bring a child to term they know will have a serious genetic defect are being called. I got to sit in on the show, Dr. Mohler interviewed Sarah Palin and it was one of the most powerful shows Dr. Mohler ever did.
I honestly have nothing to say about Sarah Palin’s politics or how she would fare as VP, but we can all rejoice that she made the choice to keep her child and bring him into the world!
Drew,
I haven’t listened to the “Genetic Outlaws” program. Thanks for mentioning it. For those who would like to listen to Al Mohler’s conversation with Gov. Palin, click here. I think that is the right one. If not, try this one.
Well, thanks for seeing the primary point of this post. We should chat again soon. I want to see how things are going in the new Dixon household!
I give Palin kudos for keeping her baby. Regardless if this baby has special needs or not, I think she should be dedicating her time to this child. This baby is only three months old and needs its mother. She is running for a position that is a 24 hour/day job!! Who is going to be raising him??
Brenda,
I think you are bringing up an important issue for Christians to think about with Palin. My pastor wrote an article on his blog about it today actually, you should check it out at:
http://alienman.blogspot.com/2008/09/complementarians-worldview-and-gov.html
Drew and others,
I would also recommend reading the following:
“An Unexpected New Motherhood Debate” by Al Mohler and “Did McCain Make a Pro-Family VP Pick?” by Voddie Baucham.
Your thoughts?
Whew, I read Baucham’s article and I just have to say that guy knows how to bring it strong. I feel the same tension with Palin. She is staunchly pro-life and for me abortion is really a make-or-break issue but in the process do I have to say that I think its ok to “sacrifice your family at the altar of your career?”
What do you think Kevin–should we be so pro-family that we oppose someone like Palin? Should we be so pro-life that we support her and work for the greater good of somehow overturning Roe v Wade?
My head is spinning!
Since your new post is relevant to this topic, I posted a comment there working through those articles.
Denny Burk posted this about the current debate over Palin and complementarian gender roles (Complementarian Hypocrisy?). It is a balanced read.
[...] to think choosing Palin covers that, though Palin does seem to have a good stance on abortion (see Gov. Sarah Palin and her Son, Trig). But it does not follow to say that abortion should not be an issue because Bush [...]
Sarah Palin did not give birth to Trig. Someone else did. See http://www.palindeception.com. There are pictures of Sarah a few weeks before the “delivery” of Trig in which she is either flat as a board, or very obviously wearing a square cushion under her clothes. Trig isn’t square; he has a normal human shape. Uteruses, pregnant or not, aren’t square either.
Even if you believe that Sarah gave birth to Trig, would a responsible woman 8 months pregnant, “prolife” or not, travel on airlplanes 12 hours after labor has begun, to give birth in a rinky-dink hospital with no neonatal intensive care unit, bypassing superior hospitals in Texas and Seattle? Either she wasn’t pregnant, or she wanted Trig to die, or she had a burning desire to give birth on the plane, lying in the aisle, with her legs spread and her panties down. Great for her public image.
@ Windy City Woman:
See comments 6 and 11.