HAROLD KELLER

Why is life so controversial? It amazes me how much controversy has developed over a Louisiana “Choose Life” license plate. It’s unbelievable to me that people who live in a free country with a pledge of allegiance that states “one nation, under God,” can object to a suggestion that we choose life. I can certainly understand that in a free country, people might choose not to buy a license plate, for whatever reason. The currency used to buy such a plate, or anything else, has “In God We Trust” boldly printed on it. Does that mean we have to trust God? No way! It suggests that we do, but again, free choice comes into play. I’m sure most people say they trust God, but the bottom line is, they don’t. Last fall, months before the new plates were scheduled for release, Jude Stanwood Duval Jr. of the U.S. District Court rule that the tags violated the free speech rights of those who support legal abortion and ordered the state to stop production. He said that abortion-rights advocates didn’t have access to the same forum. To that group, I say, “Get 100 signatures and petition a lawmaker to pass legislation to creat a license plate that reads Choose Death,’ the destroyer of life according to Webster’s dictionary. I would have no problem with that. Getting back to a free choice – that’s what America is all about. In fact, not only America, but also God has given us all a free choice. Of course, being the loving Father that He is, He gives us a strong suggestion in Deuteronomy 30:19. It reads: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendents may live.” Before the ridiculous controversy, I had no thought of purchasing a special plate. Now, if the court permits, I definitely will express my feelings. The choices are clear – life or death. I have chosen life, that my children and their children may be blessed. I pray that the three judges from the U.S. Fifth District Circuit Court of Appeals, who are hearing the case on appeal, will give the car owners of Louisiana a chance to choose their license plates. HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477.