I am writing this letter in response to a column by Jarrod Sherman in the Feb. 1 edition of the Harlan Daily Enterprise. While I appreciate Mr. Sherman's expression of his faith and his desire to point out the need for those who profess faith in Christ to live in a way that honors the kingdom of God, I am not sure that he has fully researched the principles that his chosen presidential candidate stands for.

Mr. Sherman states that he feels like "Barack Obama is the man for the job" because of his "stance on issues like alleviating poverty and caring for the environment - the 'kingdom' issues." He also states that God's way of living "means being bold enough, like the prophets in biblical times, to defend the rights of the oppressed." Apparently, Mr. Sherman feels that Senator Obama does just that. While I agree with Mr. Sherman that these are important issues, I don't believe that Barack Obama supports the rights of the most innocent and helpless among us, the victims of abortion. While our government might not acknowledge their rights, I'm pretty sure, based on his Word, that God knows and values all people before they are born (Psalm 139:13-16).

Exactly where does Barack Obama stand on defending the rights of the unborn? In an editorial from the same newspaper, only the day before, Kathryn Lopez makes that pretty clear for us. She states, "While in the Illinois legislature, Obama voted 'present' on a Born-Alive Infants Bill. What this means is that when he, as a state legislator, was presented with the reality that babies who had survived abortions were being left to die, he would not raise his hand to provide those children legal protection." She went on to quote Senator Obama as saying, "Whenever we define a pre-viable fetus as a person that is protected by the Equal Protection Clause or the other elements in the Constitution, what we're really saying is, in fact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a child, a 9-month-old-child that was delivered to term. That determination then, essentially, if it was accepted by a court, would forbid abortions to take place." These words from a man who Mr. Sherman believes will "best lead our country in a new direction, a direction that makes America less of an opponent to the kingdom Jesus talked about." I believe that any country that allows legalized abortion is, in fact, an opponent to the kingdom Jesus talked about. A president who condones such might lead us in a new direction, but I don't believe it will be one that honors God's kingdom.

In closing, Mr. Sherman says, "Let's be courageous enough to stand against the rampant wastefulness, selfishness and greed that dominate our culture." There is nothing more selfish than taking an innocent life to make life more convenient for someone else.

Senator Obama may give "inspiring" speeches, but I can't support a candidate who doesn't value the lives of all people. I believe that God places great value on each human life.

Kathy Pryor

Evarts