High School Essay Contest Winners
IRS regulations made it seem advisable to change our prize structure for this year,., Instead of one $1,000 winner there are two $500 winners. Another change came about when it was decided to increase the prizes for grades three through eight. There can still be as many as three $100 runner up prizes in the high school category but these will only be made under unusual circumstances.

The two $500 prize winners for 2008 are Adam Maletich and Aaron Bueltmann. Both are seniors in Lutheran high School, Springfield, Illinois. The essays were written as assignments in Mrs. Cynda Strong's senior English classes.

It is interesting that neither of the top essays directly deal with abortion. This fact illustrates the mission of Lutherans for Life -- to witness to the sanctity of human life through education based on the Word of God.

Abstinence education is a vitally important part of our mission. We want abortion to be illegal -- reversal of Roe vs. Wade.  more than this, we want abortion to be unthinkable! The only way to remove the problem of single mothers facing unexpected pregnancies is through sexual abstinence outside of marriage. The growing awareness and adherence to this lifestyle is evidence that the sentiments expressed in our first essay are becoming widely accepted.

The second essay dealing with euthanasia or end of life issue illustrates the challenges we face in caring for our elderly. Everyone is aware of increasing medical expenses. Talk of national health care policies that will cover all expenses for everyone -- (we once called it socialized medicine) could soon place all decisions for who gets what care where and when in the hands of a bureaucracy. Patients suffering from a debilitating illness even today may feel they are a burden to their families and may wish to avoid treatments that would become a financial burden to others. When a government agency is portioning out health care, there is a very real possibility that pressure could be brought to bear to deny care to those who are no longer "useful" to society. The "right to die" which is being promoted today could become the "duty to die."

All essays that were submitted showed careful thought, hours of preparation, and an awareness of the value of all life as a gift from God, our Creator. All authors are congratulated and sincerely thanked for their efforts.

Abstinence
Grade 12
Lutheran High School
Springfield, Illinois

I stand in the bathroom and stare at the person looking back at me in the mirror. I am preparing to go on a date with the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I still have trouble believing that she has agreed to go out with me. I am unsure about what will happen this evening. She has dated many boys and I have dated very few girls. What will she expect? I know who I am at this moment. I want to be the same person when I come home later tonight and look into this mirror. I have to do what is right in God's eyes. Abstinence is a choice that I will make in order to honor myself, my date, and God's Word.

The world is full of sexually oriented magazines, books, movies, videos and song lyrics. Teenagers are bombarded daily with all types of media promoting a promiscuous lifestyle. Abstinence is portrayed as ridiculous and unreasonably conservative. Television shows are created with sexual themes in order to appeal to teenage audiences,. "In some cases, the same television networks and cable stations that air these kinds of shows express grave concern over the epidemic of AIDS" (Focus on the Family 33). The world is full of confusing messages that cloud the minds of those making decisions on the path they choose for their life. While it is impossible to escape the messages sent by the world, it is possible for teens to reduce their exposure and the impact these messages can have on their lives. Making the choice to avoid forms of media that promote this behavior leads to a life free from the shame and emotional damage that accompanies sexual immorality.

The world's attitude about teenage sexual activity can also be found in printed form. Many of the most popular magazines published for teen reading promote an unhealthy message that looks at attracting the opposite sex as the most important things in life. Cosmo Girl: Prom issue advertises, 'The Best Dress for Your Body,' 'Sexy Gowns You'll Look Amazing In,' and 'Sculpt Your Hottest Body in 4 Weeks.' Seventeen tops Cosmo Girl by promising 'Your Best Prom Body (in just 2 moves).' These rags, filled with beauty tips and fashion trends, reinforce the idea in their readers that looks and boys are all that matter (State Journal Register 5). Publications such as these cause teens to view their bodies as a means to attract the opposite sex instead of a creation of God. This sort of confusion is present on newsstands and in bookstores on a daily basis. Teens are forced to constantly remind themselves that they must respect their own bodies if they are to receive the same respect from others.

While the world tells teenagers that sex is an acceptable activity that is completely casual and commonplace, there is more to the story. Having sex comes with risks. It is impossible to escape the damages that can come from casual sex. Unwanted pregnancy is prevalent among teens who engage in this behavior. Lives are changed forever when an unwanted pregnancy occurs. Teenagers forced to become parents too soon in their lives face years of difficulty and insecurity as they try to raise a child while still being a child themselves.

Sexually transmitted diseases are transferred in this way as well. While it may seem unbelievable that a disease could be transferred from one person to another in only a moment, illnesses such as AIDS are passed only through sexual activity,. In one careless moment, lives are threatened by a disease that cannot be cured. Other life changing diseases such as herpes are transmitted in this way. The risk for contracting these types of diseases can be completely avoided by waiting until after marriage before having sex.

Another risk that comes with being sexually active is the risk of emotional damage. While the thrill of the moment may seem enticing, the aftermath of casual sex can linger. Loss of self-esteem, worry about reputation, and fear of pregnancy are a few of the emotions that can be felt after one engages in premarital sex. Girls may be affected in a deeper way simply because they are wired differently than guys. "Girls tend to view sex as part of a deeply meaningful relationship while boys often view it as merely physical" (Focus on the Family 26). In either case, someone loses when emotional damage is done.

Teenagers face a world of confusion as they struggle to make the right choices with concern to premarital sex. God is clear through Hi Word about sexual immorality. In Galatians the Bible says, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like" (Galatians 5:19 New International Version). It is clear that inclusion on this list makes casual sex something to be avoided at all cost. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean;' but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean' (Matthew 15:19 New International Version). The Bible views sexual immorality as a sinful act that can and should be avoided. Using God's Word as a guide will only help those who are struggling with the temptations the world lays before them.

The subject of premarital sex is often discusses by church leaders, youth counselors, and parents trying to help their teenager understand the consequences of immoral actions. Teenagers must inform themselves about the dangers involved with premarital sex if they are to make informed and positive choices for their lives. While the world sends message that make sexual immorality look inviting and acceptable, God's Word makes it clear that this type of action is sinful and wrong. Teenagers must respect the body that God has given them and stand firmly in their knowledge of what is right in the eyes of God. When a teenager makes positive life choices, looking in the mirror continues to be something easy to do.

Works cited
Armstrong, Alice "After all these years girls still get wrong message," The State journal Register 25 February 2008,5.

Focus on the Family. Sex, Lies and ...the Truth. Wheaton: Living Books, 1995

Ryrie Study Bible, New International Version. Chicago

Beware of Euthanasia

Grade 12
Lutheran High School
Springfield, Illinois

Imagine a world in the not-so-distant future in which elderly nursing home patients are wheeled into cold "life easement clinics," never again to emerge. This is a time when killing is legal and considered to be a practical solution for those beings deemed useless to society. Envision the near future filled with "friendly farewell celebrations," "easy passage clubs," and "termination voyages." This foreboding calamity may be approaching faster than we think. Killing is already legal at the beginning of life (abortion). What will stop our culture from beginning widespread killing at the end of life -- the euthanasia? The acceptance of this corrupt practice has already started around the world, and even in the United States. The practice of euthanasia upon the elderly exhibits the moral shortcomings of our culture.

Euthanasia as a concept has been around for centuries, but only recently has it been presented as acceptable. Not too long ago, legalized assisted suicide or lethal overdoses for sick or handicapped people would have been considered shocking and shameful. However, euthanasia is slowly but surely becoming acceptable in today's society. In Holland, euthanasia has been legalized and is widely practiced.  However, the "safeguards" are meaningless, and usually abused in a "quasi-legal arrangement" (Senander9). According to the pamphlet The Right To Kill?, a 1990 Dutch government report revealed that 5,941 of the 11,800 recorded cases of assisted killing in that year failed to obtain the patient's consent. This just goes to show that once a society gives euthanasia a little bit of leeway, it eventually takes root and expands almost limitlessly. Euthanasia may not show its full brutality now, but if it is allowed to extend its reach, the detrimental effects swill be widely seen in society.

The evils of euthanasia are gradually being spread across the world. Pro-euthanasia groups are beginning to push the concept of the "right to die" to the "duty to die." The benefits of euthanasia may look attractive to society, but that is not what God wants for His people. Each human being is a unique creation of God. It may seem illogical to go on with life if death is just around the corner -- why not just end it and save everyone involved a little trouble. However, Galatians 6:2 says "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." God wants His children to support those who are suffering, not kill them. Ecclesiastes 3:2a says, "(there is) a time to be born and a time to die." God has appointed a time for each of us to enter this world and He has a specific time He has planned for us to leave.

As Christians we know that any killing, including euthanasia, is against God's will. Proverbs 6:16-17 says, "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood." Killing the elderly or incapacitated just because they appear useless to us is not something of which God approves. As long as they are alive they have within them a spark of life, no matter how weak it may be. Our society should not snuff out their spark, for it only takes a spark to get a "fire" going with which to influence the lives of others. Our society should embrace these people as fellow human being because God dearly loves each of His children. Gods wants us to protect the lives of others. He wants us to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." (Proverbs 31:8). The sanctity of life is shown in the way Jesus cared for the sick, the outcast and the dying. Jesus showed love for these people so Christians should fight to defend truth by striving to protect the lives others deem worthless.

Our culture exhibits its moral shortcomings with the practice of euthanasia. No one is detached from euthanasia's effects; it has affected or will affect every member of the human race. Patients "eligible" for euthanasia are often times not able to express their wishes in the matter because of their incapacitation. As a Christian, I know that euthanasia is morally wrong. Euthanasia and abortion are simply murder disguised as medical treatments. Courts have already granted citizens the power to take the lives of unwanted babies. But where will it stop? Will the limits of legal killing continue to expand? Should humanity be able to rid itself of other undesirables such as the mentally or physically handicapped or the senile elderly? These questions are frightening to ponder. We cannot answer them honestly by cleverly skirting the issue of truth concerning the euthanasia and murder. I know that I would like to live my life to the fullest. It frightens me to think that someone could have the power to terminate my life against my will.

Works cited
Holy Bible: New International Version. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1988

Seander, Mary. The Living Will: Expansion or Erosion of Patients Rights? St. Paul: The Leaflet Missal Company, 1996

The Right To Kill? Snowflake: Heritage House '76, Inc. 1998