Surrogacy Ethics: Biblical Principles, Legal Debates, and Parenthood- Patience Griswold

Broadcast Episode

July 31, 2024

Join us for a profound exploration into the ethics of surrogacy from biblical, historical, and constitutional perspectives. We delve into the moral and legal implications, including legislation that opens the doors to the potential for abuse by drug cartels and sex traffickers, and the unsettling prospects of genetic modification and designer babies. We also spotlight how faith-based organizations champion the sanctity of life through adoption and foster care, reinforcing our collective commitment to preserving life at all stages. Massachusetts' new parentage equality bill is shaking up traditional notions of parenthood by legalizing commercial genetic surrogacy and redefining what it means to be a parent. This legislation replaces terms like 'mother' and 'father' with gender-neutral language and shifts the basis of parenthood from biology to intent. We'll unravel the controversial aspects as the bill permits surrogacy contracts to be validated even after natural conception. This raises significant moral and legal questions that are too crucial to ignore. We argue that children's well-being should always come first. Utilizing biblical principles, we advocate for the protection of children's innocence and vulnerability. Furthermore, we address the commercial implications of turning surrogacy into a business, drawing critical parallels to other profit-driven industries. Support the Show.

Loading the player...

About The WallBuilders Show

The WallBuilders Show is a daily journey to examine today's issues from a Biblical, Historical and Constitutional perspective. Featured guests include elected officials, experts, activists, authors, and commentators.

More from The WallBuilders Show

Broadcast Episode

Today

Parental Rights and the Battle for Our Children's Innocence

The battle for our children's innocence rages across America's schools and libraries, transcending political divisions and geographic boundaries. Karen England of Capital Resource Institute joins the WallBuilders team to unveil the shocking reality of sexually explicit materials being made available to minors through school libraries nationwide. England shares the powerful resource her organization created - takebacktheclassroom.com- where parents can lookup specific school districts and view excerpts from inappropriate books currently accessible to children as young as kindergarten age. What began as isolated concerns has revealed itself as a systematic problem affecting communities in both conservative and progressive areas. David Barton brings striking biblical perspective to the conversation, highlighting Jesus's unusually harsh warning in Matthew 18: 6 about those who cause children to stumble. This represents one of the strongest condemnations in scripture, underscoring how seriously we should approach protecting children's innocence. The discussion challenges listeners to recognize their responsibility even if they don't have children in public education. As Tim Barton notes, "When we are not involved in the process, our uninvolvement is ultimately giving a level of consent. " Today's public school students will become tomorrow's neighbors, voters, and leaders - giving everyone a stake in this fight. England provides practical guidance for concerned citizens, explaining the legal framework established by Supreme Court precedent for removing inappropriate materials from school libraries. She emphasizes the importance of community involvement and highlights that this represents an issue where an overwhelming majority of Americans agree. Ready to protect the children in your community? Visit takebacktheclassroom.comto identify concerning materials in your local schools and access resources for effective advocacy. The innocence of a generation depends on citizens willing to stand in the gap. Support the show

Loading the player...

Broadcast Episode

Yesterday

What Makes America Different? The True Source of Our Rights

America stands at the threshold of its 250th anniversary, and something remarkable is happening. Grassroots movements across the country aren't just planning celebrations – they're launching deep educational initiatives focused on the principles that made America exceptional in the first place. During a recent gathering of conservative organizations, the most striking observation wasn't just the enthusiasm but the diversity of approaches. Like the builders in Nehemiah's time, each group contributes uniquely to rebuilding understanding of America's founding principles. Some focus on education, others on legislation, but all recognize that merely electing the right officials isn't enough – Americans need to rediscover the foundational ideas that created our republic. The Declaration of Independence serves as America's philosophical foundation, establishing that our rights come from God, not government. This revolutionary concept transformed understanding of governmental authority. When the founders gathered to create the Constitution and Bill of Rights, their debates weren't about whether rights existed – they knew rights came from our Creator – but rather how to protect these God-given rights from government overreach. In Arkansas, groundbreaking legislation now requires schools to teach the religious principles undergirding the Declaration. Students will learn not just historical facts but the philosophical and theological foundations that shaped our founding documents. This represents perhaps the first major legislation in decades specifically focused on teaching the religious principles of the founding fathers in public education. As we navigate challenges with federal appointments and the proper role of government in healthcare, these foundational understandings become even more crucial. The approaching 250th anniversary provides the perfect opportunity for Americans to rediscover that our exceptional system of government was built on the recognition that our rights come from God, and government's primary purpose is to secure those rights – a concept as revolutionary today as it was in 1776. Support the show

Loading the player...

Broadcast Episode

Friday, May 9

Freedom's Frontlines: Defending Constitutional Values

The tide is turning in America as constitutional principles make a powerful comeback. Trump's second administration has wasted no time implementing changes that reflect a return to the vision of the founders—and the results are both immediate and impressive. From the judicial branch to the southern border, we're witnessing what happens when leadership applies constitutional principles in practice. New judicial nominees with solid conservative credentials, like Whitney Hermendorfer for the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals (who previously clerked for Justices Alito, Barrett, and Kavanaugh), signal a renewed commitment to constitutional interpretation. These appointments will shape American jurisprudence for decades to come, with better vetting processes in place than during Trump's first term. The border crisis that seemed intractable just months ago has seen a remarkable 99. 9% reduction in illegal crossings—without any new laws. By simply enforcing existing immigration laws, deploying 9, 000 troops to the southern border, and ending programs that flew illegal immigrants directly into the country's interior, the administration has demonstrated that political will, not additional legislation, was the missing ingredient. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's clear message that "criminals are not welcome" represents a dramatic shift in tone and policy. Fiscal responsibility has returned with the defunding of constitutionally questionable programs like NPR and PBS, along with hundreds of millions in cuts to bizarre initiatives like a $620, 000 Department of Agriculture grant for studying transgender menstrual cycles. The administration is recommitting to the constitutional understanding that government should protect innovation, not fund it—letting the market determine which enterprises succeed. Perhaps most encouraging is the spiritual renewal happening alongside these policy changes. The American Bible Society reports 10 million more Americans reading Scripture outside of church, with dramatic increases among millennials (29%) and men (19%). This spiritual awakening mirrors the constitutional restoration, suggesting that America's legacy of liberty grounded in virtue may be experiencing a renaissance. Join us as we continue tracking these positive developments and exploring how a return to founding principles creates tangible benefits for all Americans. The good news isn't just that policies are changing—it's that America seems to be rediscovering its constitutional soul. Support the show

Loading the player...

Broadcast Episode

Thursday, May 8

Judicial Overreach: Lifetime Appointments and Illegal Immigration Explored

The idea that federal judges have "lifetime appointments" is deeply embedded in our national consciousness, but is it actually true? In this eye-opening episode of Foundations of Freedom Thursday, we dive into what the Constitution actually says and what the founders genuinely intended for the judicial branch. When the Constitution states judges "shall hold their offices during good behavior, " it established a carefully designed balance that's been lost in modern interpretation. Through rich historical context from the Constitutional Convention debates, we uncover how figures like Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, and John Dickinson wrestled with competing concerns about judicial independence versus accountability. This wasn't a monolithic view among the founders, as they debated vigorously about the proper role and tenure of judges. The conversation shifts to another timely constitutional question: what rights do non-citizens illegally present in the United States actually possess? We break down the Constitution's precise language—"We the People of the United States"—and contrast statutory procedures with constitutional protections. The perfect analogy emerges: if someone illegally moves into your home, would they be entitled to years of "due process" before removal? Most fascinating is our exploration of how deeply the founding fathers disagreed with each other while still operating within constitutional boundaries. Jefferson and Adams represented opposing political visions so stark that artists depicted them stepping on each other's feet, yet both faithfully executed their constitutional duties according to their understanding of the document's meaning. Want to understand how our judiciary was meant to function? Looking for clarity on constitutional rights versus statutory procedures for immigration? This episode provides the biblical, historical, and constitutional foundations you need to navigate today's most contentious debates. Support the show

Loading the player...

Broadcast Episode

Wednesday, May 7

Faith on Base: Ministering to Military Children

Child Evangelism Fellowship stands as a remarkable yet often unheralded force in faith-based outreach, serving 20 million children annually across 192 countries worldwide. Founded in 1937, this organization has grown to employ over 2, 000 staff members globally while maintaining a steadfast commitment to sharing biblical teachings with young people. The WallBuilders team discovers a particularly compelling aspect of CEF's work: their Military Children's Ministry. This specialized program addresses the unique challenges faced by military families, whose children navigate frequent relocations, parental deployments, and the constant uncertainty of military life. Through partnerships with base chaplains, CEF brings stability and spiritual grounding to these young people at approximately 30 military installations across the United States. Their approach combines three distinctive program models tailored to military community needs. "Party Clubs" offer holiday-themed events with games, snacks and biblical lessons. Weekly "Good News Clubs" provide consistent after-school gatherings throughout the academic year. Summer "Five-Day Clubs" function similarly to vacation Bible schools, often led by teenagers who previously participated in the programs themselves – creating a beautiful cycle of discipleship and leadership development. What makes this ministry particularly powerful is how it creates immediate connection points for families transitioning between bases. When military children find familiar faith-based programs at their new location, it provides a sense of continuity and belonging during otherwise turbulent transitions. The organization's careful coordination with military chaplains ensures proper authorization while meeting the specific needs of each base community. Military families seeking support for their children can easily connect with existing programs or even help establish new ones by contacting their base chaplain or visiting cefonline.com. As we observe Military Appreciation Month this May, this ministry reminds us that supporting our military extends beyond thanking service members – it includes caring for the children who also sacrifice for our freedom. Ready to help military kids find stability through faith? Learn how you can get involved today. Support the show

Loading the player...

The WallBuilders Show

Christian talk radio with David Barton

Broadcast Episode