NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 30, 2024 —The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, in cooperation with various Baptist state conventions, has developed resources to aid Southern Baptist churches in standing for life as they face state abortion ballot initiatives that will be voted on in the November election.
A ballot initiative is a mechanism by which constituents can directly propose laws and constitutional amendments for a local or state government.
There are currently 10 states where such initiatives related to abortion are up for a vote this November, many of which seek to harm preborn children. Both pro-life and pro-abortion advocates have increasingly turned to these initiatives as a means to advance their policy objectives in the post-Dobbs environment.
The ERLC has partnered with Baptist state conventions to assist SBC churches and provide them with resources such as explainers, church bulletin inserts, and prayer guides prior to the election.
“In the post-Roe era, states now have the ability to decide whether they will move in a direction that protects life or one that destroys it,” said Brent Leatherwood, president of the ERLC. “This November, many citizens are being given a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stop the advance of abortion and stand for life. That is why it is so critical our churches are proclaiming the truth about the dignity of all people, particularly the preborn whose lives are at stake. These statewide questions and constitutional amendments on various state ballots provide opportunities for Christians to apply our biblical principles and convictions and begin to establish a true culture of life in our state laws and beyond.”
The abortion ballot initiative prayer guide calls on Christians in every state to stand for life by praying for:
- Preborn children;
- Mothers facing unplanned pregnancies;
- Lawmakers and leaders;
- Pregnancy Resource Centers, and more.
To learn more about the ERLC’s abortion ballot initiative visit ERLC.com/ballot.
