By Bob Allen
Scripture and Southern Baptist doctrine teach that life begins at conception, and ending that life through emergency contraception or intrauterine devices is a “grave moral wrong,” according to a U.S. Supreme Court brief filed by Southern Baptist Convention leaders on behalf of faith-based charities opposed to required contraceptive coverage under Obamacare.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, International Mission Board and Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler filed one of more than a dozen friend-of-the-court briefs Aug. 24 on behalf of Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of Catholic nuns asking the Supreme Court to hear their challenge against rules implementing the Affordable Care Act handed down by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The brief says Southern Baptists oppose the use of drugs such as the so-called “morning-after pill,” because they believe they induce abortion.
“Southern Baptists have spoken clearly in opposition to abortion and in support of their belief that life begins at conception,” the brief contends. “These beliefs are grounded in the words of Scripture, which teach that God’s knowledge of, care for and sovereign plan for each person begins long before birth.”
The brief cites Bible verses including Luke 1:39-44, which recounts that when Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist, met Mary, the would-be mother of Jesus, “the baby in [her] womb leaped for joy.”
The Greek word translated as “baby,” the brief says, is elsewhere used to describe an infant who has been born. “The same scriptural passage affirms the personhood of the baby in the womb by ascribing to him the quintessentially human emotion of ‘joy,’” the argument continues.
Because of that, the brief says, Southern Baptists oppose an HHS accommodation that allows certain nonprofit organizations to opt out of paying for contraceptive coverage but still makes the contested methods of birth control available to employees through a third-part provider.
“In sum, scriptural teaching and Southern Baptist doctrine state it is a sin for a Christian to enable or aid another in doing what the Christian believes to be wrong,” the brief says. “As a matter of doctrine and conscience, Petitioners cannot comply with the government’s mandate to delegate to another the repugnant task of distributing abortion-inducing drugs and devices.”
GuideStone Financial Resources, the Southern Baptist Convention insurance provider, is also appealing a similar lawsuit.
“We welcome this support from across the nation as we seek relief for ministries that are forced to comply with the government’s scheme or face crippling fines,” said Harold R. Loftin Jr., general counsel for GuideStone. “This support is affirming, and we hope and pray that the Supreme Court will decide to hear the arguments in this case.”