Senior Thesis is the capstone course of our online school. Students spend the entire year researching and writing about a topic of choice. The end result is a chance to present and defend their written theses. Here is an excerpt from one of our recent graduates, Julia Bottoms, about international adoption. To learn more about our Live Online Classes click HERE.

“In light of the numerous debates, one may be surprised the adoption system is still functioning. This is largely because America’s DNA, the Declaration of Independence, established the mindset most Americans have towards helping the poor. The Founding Fathers wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”14 When they wrote of “all men” possessing these rights, this included women, children, and, of course, people from other nations. This essential recognition reminds Americans that all people inherently possess these same rights and should be assisted in retaining them if necessary. Celebrating the rights of people globally has preserved adoption as an institution, but the roots supporting this acknowledgment have caused it to flourish. James 1:27 reminds Christians that, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”15 While it is debatable whether children have the human right to belong to a family, the responsibility to take care of orphans is unquestionable for all people, but particularly for Christians. Consequently, the adoption movement is a focal point of many Christian ministries; however, both believers and nonbelievers often become enamored with adoption, not as a way to help needy children, but as a way to have a child or because of peer pressure. The adoption world is brimming with hurting and needy children and teeming with corrupt institutional care directors motivated by greed. This movement is fraught with significant problems, yet Christians should transnationally adopt minors who are not in a permanent support system because adoption saves lives."

Continue Reading Julia's Thesis HERE.

Julia Bottoms is a 2019 graduate of Veritas and a rising nursing student at John Brown University. With her degree, she hopes to enter the mission field soon after or join the orphan care movement. In her free time, she enjoys ballet, a good book, and a cup of chai tea.