This is a letter to correct observations I made in a letter to the Religious Herald back in early 2005 concerning the position of Virginia Baptists on abortion. While I acknowledge the straight forward resolutions in the booklet “Truthfully Speaking” that Virginia Baptists were opposed to abortion, I mistakenly focused on the final resolution that “affirmed our conviction about the limited role of government in dealing with matters relating to abortion, and support the right of expectant mothers to the full range of medical services and personal counseling for the preservation of life and health.”
My mistake was comparing this wording with what would be said by abortion supporters. They use the phrase “full range of medical services” to include abortions. The words “life and health” are also key elements to the abortionist rhetoric in that “health” opens the field of allowable reasons for abortions.
I realized I had jumped to a conclusion that was not there and I apologize. I am thankful Virginia Baptists stand for the sanctity of life and reject “the right of the woman to choose.”
Greene Hollowell, Richmond