My Statement and Response to Washington Post Article
SBC of Virginia's primary mission is to strengthen and mobilize churches to make disciples and plant churches through gospel partnership. As a gospel partnership of churches, we must also be a voice for truth and seek to be agents for the welfare of our communities and the Commonwealth of Virginia. One of our primary doctrines is that God is the Creator and Sustainer of life and that human beings are created in the image of God. Our churches have repeatedly issued resolutions and called for the protection of the unborn and the sanctity of human life.
This week, Virginia has made national news due to a horrific bill that came before a House of Delegates committee. As a father of three and a pastor who has ministered with families who have dealt with tragedy and hard decisions, I recognize the gravity of situations people face and hold sacred the value of human life.
The recently proposed bill to further unleash abortion on demand in the Commonwealth of Virginia was nothing short of infanticide. While the bill did not advance, the Governor of Virginia added his comments in an interview. Due to public outcry, the governor and others are reacting by claiming statements are being taken out of context. Respectfully, words have meaning. In this case, the words and the persons involved are recorded on video so you may watch for yourself. We know the context, and it makes the statement no better. While we respect the office of the governor and recognize the governor is a medical physician, the view articulated by the governor and others who supported this bill is nothing short of infanticide.
Speaker of the House of Delegates Kirk Cox, an active member of The Heights Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, spoke to the importance of standing for life in the House of Delegates chamber. We are thankful for him and others who are standing for life and pray, that by God’s grace, our governor and other officials will hear the cries of the youngest and most helpless among us.
We call upon the churches of the SBC of Virginia to stand for life and the 250,000 members of SBC of Virginia churches to make your voices heard. Contact your state legislators and our governor. Mobilize your church to stand for life and encourage our leaders to stand for life.
Contact the Governor: 804-786-2211; https://www.virginia.gov/agencies/office-of-the-governor/
Contact your state delegate: https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php
Contact your state senator: https://apps.senate.virginia.gov/Senator/index.php
SBC of Virginia churches are called to be salt and light. We have recently called Virginia to respond righteously, humbly, and with compassion in various areas of social justice and morality. Likewise, we once again call upon one another to prayerfully and diligently stand for the unborn and now the just-born. We will continue to mobilize to not only offer words of truth but to offer acts of compassion as we continue to minister to the poor, helpless, struggling, and orphaned among us. God help us.
BRIAN AUTRY, SBC OF VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSE TO WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE RELATED TO THE RECENT ‘FAILED ABORTION BILL’ AND THE GOVERNOR’S RESPONSE
Click here to read the original Washington Post article.
“attacked Gov. Ralph Northam and other state Democrats on Wednesday after they defended a failed bill that sought to reduce restrictions on late-term abortions”
AUTRY - not attacking, voicing our shock at the bill and the subsequent interview the governor gave
“Del. Kathy Tran (D-Fairfax) acknowledging that her bill, like current law, would allow abortions up to the point of delivery in cases when the mother’s life or health was at serious risk”
AUTRY - if the bill is like current law, people may not realize the horror of current law
“I have devoted my life to caring for children, and any insinuation otherwise is shameful and disgusting,” he said.
AUTRY - we recognize the governor’s service as a physician, and in pediatrics, which makes it even more horrific how he characterizes and talks about the baby
“And Virginia House Speaker Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) made a dramatic floor speech citing Bible verses to vow to fight against abortion.”
AUTRY - thankful for Speaker Cox responded clearly to the issue, as a former educator, Cox has taught thousands of children, so I know it must hit home that we are talking about newborn children
“What my Democratic colleagues are most concerned about is what this moment actually reveals,” said Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), the House majority leader. “It was a moment of unbridled honesty about their agenda and their legislation and what it actually does.”
AUTRY - this appears to be the case
“It was a surprising turn for legislation that had been introduced — and had failed — each of the past three years without any drama. A companion bill offered in the state Senate more than a week ago failed without comment.”
AUTRY - whatever the case, this needed to come to light so Virginians can recognize what our elected officials are considering regarding life in Virginia