Proposed Constitutional Amendments in Virginia Threatening Biblical Values

Virginia State Capital Building

The Virginia State Chapter of the Conservative Baptist Network has been working alongside The Family Foundation, a Commonwealth of strong families guided by faith, protected by a principled government. The Family Foundation preserves and promotes families in Virginia as God’s foundation upon which all free and thriving societies are built.

In this year’s upcoming election, the state of Virginia will be introducing proposed constitutional amendments that aim to repeal and replace existing protections related to marriage and abortion, paving the way for policies that directly oppose and undermine biblical teachings. As Christians, we must understand what these changes entail and stand firm in prayer and action to uphold God's Word. Therefore, Conservative Baptists in Virginia have been spreading awareness regarding the dangerous constitutional amendments on the upcoming ballot within the state.

Proposed Amendments

The various proposed constitutional amendments in question seek to repeal protections for traditional marriage and replace pro-life protections with pro-choice language.

• Repeal Protections for Traditional Marriage: Like many states, the current Virginia constitution affirms that marriage is between one man and one woman. However, the proposed amendment would remove this language, effectively allowing for the redefinition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. A portion of this new proposed amendment would read: “...shall not deny the issuance of a marriage license to two adult persons seeking a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such persons.” This change of language is vague and opens the door for many problems and variations of marriage to be defined by man. This proposed amendment change also opens the door to many questions regarding pastors and local churches. Will local churches and pastors be sued or charged with breaking the law if they choose to refuse to conduct a same sex marriage based on their biblical convictions or church bylaws?

 

• Replace Pro-Life Protections with Pro-Choice Language: Another proposed amendment change also aims to remove existing language that recognizes the rights of the unborn and the state’s interest in protecting life. This would enshrine abortion within the constitution and allow greater access and less regulation for abortion, even up to the very moment of birth. This language is dangerous because it opens the door for women traveling to Virginia specifically for abortion (abortion tourism), women no longer needing a medical professional for abortion, and the act of not having to save a baby after a failed attempt to abort.

 

Call to Action and Prayer

These proposed amendment changes directly contradict the authoritative, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God.

• Marriage as a Sacred Institution: The Bible clearly defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). Redefining marriage to include same-sex relationships directly contravenes God's good design and teaching.

 

• The Sanctity of Life: Scripture affirms that life begins at conception and is sacred in God's eyes (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5). Allowing unrestricted abortion undermines the biblical recognition of the unborn as a person created in God's image and likeness.

Due to these proposed amendments being at war with the Word of God, the Virginia State Chapter of the Conservative Baptist Network is asking believers to pray fervently and act and engage against this perversion of God’s Word. Therefore, we urge every believer to do several things:

• Pray fervently that God's Spirit will move upon the hearts of voters, guiding them to oppose these amendments.

 

• Continue to engage and stay informed about the details of these proposals.

 

• Vote according to biblical principles, defending God's design for marriage and the sanctity of life.

 

 

 

This article was written and provided by the Virginia State Chapter of the Conservative Baptist Network. If you would like more information or to connect with the Virginia State Chapter of the Conservative Baptist Network, contact Robert Wrenn at mailto:isurffish2@sbcglobal.net.