A cause for concern
Recently the Baptist General Association of Virginia published a booklet, Truthfully Speaking. Under the section, “Frequently asked questions and answers about the BGAV,” a question was posed: What is the BGAV's position on abortion?
After about seven paragraphs of “whereas, therefore and resolved,” you would get the feeling that maybe the BGAV was against abortion. Sadly, it is not so. The final paragraph reads:
“Be it further resolved, that we also affirm our conviction about the limited role of government in dealing with matters related 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.”
A few interpretations are in order.
“Limited role of government in dealing with matters related to abortion” means they want the courts to okay the right to kill the child in the womb, but then they want the government to bug out; don't try to add restrictions like the ban on partial-birth abortions.
“Full range of medical services” of course means abortion.
“The preservation of life and health” is referring to the woman.
The key to the BGAV's true stance on abortion is revealed in the word “health” of the woman. In Doe v. Bolton, a companion case to Roe v. Wade, the court defined “health” to include “all factors-physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman's age-relevant to the well-being of the patient.” This opened the gates for an abortion for any reason.
So this is the BGAV's real stance-support for abortions for any reason. Sure, they don't like it that a mother is going to kill her child, but probably the most hardened abortion advocate doesn't either.
In his 1996 autobiography, Gov. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania a pro-life Democrat, predicted, “The Democrats' national decline-or, better, their national disintegration-will continue relentlessly and inexorably until they come to grips with these value issues, primarily abortion.”
I believe to a great extent this is why the BGAV is disintegrating and will continue to do so as long as they support abortion.
Greene Hollowell, Richmond