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Oppose Any Pro-Abortion Legislation
Southern Baptists affirm that every life is worthy of protection, beginning with the unborn. We believe life begins at conception, and that abortion denies precious human lives both personhood and protection. Scripture is clear that every person is made in the image of God – including the unborn – and his knowledge of the unborn even precedes the creative act of conception (Jer. 1:5; Ps. 139:13).
Southern Baptists affirm that every human is created in the image of God. As stated in a 2021 resolution of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Bible “clearly and unequivocally affirms the sanctity of every human life made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27; 9:6), a truth to which Christians in every century have testified and are called to bear witness in every age and in every sphere of life; and Further, the Convention’s Baptist Faith & Message affirms that “children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord” and calls us to “speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.”
While it appears doubtful pro-abortion legislation would advance during the 119th Congress, it is absolutely vital to continue educating members of Congress and their staff about the dangers of legislation promoting abortion. For instance, the Women’s Health Protection Act would remove all restrictions and limits on abortion, provides federal protection for chemical abortion, and allows for abortion up to the point of birth. Additionally, this bill removes all pro-life protections at the federal and state levels and eliminates a state’s ability to legislate on abortion by preventing government officials from interfering with any person providing or receiving abortion services. This bill also fails to protect American consciences and would force taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions.
Abortion is not healthcare. If human dignity is given to each person when created in the womb, then abortion is not only an assault on the image of God but also irreparable harm on a vulnerable life. We believe abortion denies precious human lives both personhood and protection, and therefore cannot be considered as healthcare.
The ERLC is strongly opposed to the Women’s Health Protection Act and any other legislation that expands access to abortion. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the opportunity for a resurgence in harmful pro-abortion bills may arise as lawmakers campaign and the control of Congress hangs in the balance. Southern Baptists have consistently and persistently opposed abortion, so the ERLC will continue to monitor such legislation, educate lawmakers about the harms of these bills, and oppose them.
SBC Actions
Southern Baptists spoke to abortion at the 2022 annual meeting through the resolution “On Anticipation of a Historic Moment in the Pro-life Movement” and in 2021 through the resolution “On Taxpayer Complicity in Abortion and the Hyde Amendment.”
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