WHEREAS, from the moment of conception/fertilization, all human beings are created equal, that is, of equal value because all are made by God in His own image (Gen 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6; Proverbs 22:2; James 3:9), and
WHEREAS, as God’s image-bearers, all humans display His divine worth, power, and attributes, and thus possess objective worth not varying based on incidental characteristics such as ethnicity, age, size, means of conception, mental development, physical development, sex, potential, or contribution to society (Rom 1:19-20; Gen 1:27; 9:6; Matthew 18:6), and
WHEREAS, to murder any image-bearer–both born and preborn—is a sin, violating both natural law as set forth in the Noahic covenant, as well as the sixth commandment, “Thou shall not kill.” (Gen 9:5-6; Exodus 20:13; 21:22-24; Proverbs 6:17), and
WHEREAS, consistent with His character, God’s word treats preborn persons equally as born persons, insomuch as using the same terms to define children whether inside or outside the womb, including requiring equal justice for harm criminally done to either (Exodus 21:22-25; Luke 1:41, 2:16; Acts 7:19; Proverbs 20:10); now, be it therefore
RESOLVED, that we state unequivocally that all preborn children are image-bearers of God; therefore, call upon civil authorities to fulfill their God-given duty to uphold justice by establishing equal protection under the law for all preborn children, and be it further
RESOLVED, that equal protection requires the same legal prohibitions and available sanctions against homicide that exist to protect persons after birth likewise to protect persons before birth, thereby establishing justice for preborn children and serving to deter all persons from willingly aiding, procuring, or performing prenatal homicide; and be it further
RESOLVED, that such equal protection would require a case-by-case determination, take into consideration level of culpability, and would not alter any existing due process including but not limited to presumption of innocence, defense, justification, immunity, and should include protections so mothers would not be subject to criminal liability if under criminal duress, mistake of fact, or in a life-threatening medical emergency, or for an accidental or natural death, or for an act prior to the effective date of any such law, and be it further
RESOLVED, that we recognize that miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies are not murder by abortion but tragedies during which medical triage is necessary with doctors never ceasing to treat both mother and baby as human beings, and upholding the Hippocratic Oath by exhausting all possible options to save as many human lives as they can, and be it further
RESOLVED, that we, our churches, and our ministries love both our born and preborn neighbors as ourselves by continuing steadfastly in our commitment to pursue pure and undefiled religion towards both mothers and children prayerfully, financially, and practically through prenatal and postnatal care in pregnancy resource centers, counseling, fostering, adoption, and other available means; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that as Kentucky Baptists, we, by the authority of God’s Word, will engage, with God’s help, in establishing justice for preborn children through equal protection of the law and call upon pastors and leaders to use their God-given gifts of preaching, teaching, and leading to speak with one unified, principled, prophetic voice to abolish abortion.