A Time for the Church to Stand
I attended a meeting yesterday with other church and local leaders concerning the Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024. This amendment has just received certification and now will need approximately 90,000 signatures from across the state in order to guarantee a limited right to abortion in the state. The group backing this amendment is sinisterly calling themselves “Arkansans for Limited Government.” This is a deceitful attempt to get conservative voters to sign the petition and ultimately vote for this measure under the guise of voting for things like limited government and second amendment rights in Arkansas. However, the reality is that they are tricking citizens into enshrining abortion into the Arkansas constitution. The passing of this amendment will constitutionally allow women to abort babies from 20 weeks until birth for reasons of rape, incest and the health of the mother (any health concern deemed by her physician). This is how they define “limited” abortions. This is really bad, and if passed, many Arkansans will wish for the days when Roe was still in effect.
“State officials must know that we (the church) are serious about stopping abortion, which is a matter of clear principle concerning the babies themselves and concerning a high view of human life.” - Francis Schaffer
“Decline To Sign” is the new slogan to counteract this nefarious amendment. We encourage all and want to educated all to be informed about what you may be asked to sign. In the next several months, there will be paid solicitors who will be at Walmarts, on the University of Arkansas campus, outside DMV’s, at the Northwest Arkansas Mall, and other public places trying to dupe people into supporting abortion with their signature. If you encounter such a person, respectfully ask what to see the bill which is written on the back side of the signature page (note - it is very small). Maybe you can explain to those about to sign what the solicitor is not saying.. again, please be respectful.
We will be talking about this at Covenant Baptist Church. We will be telling our congregation NOT to sign or vote for this amendment. This stand by our church against abortion does in no way support a political party or endorse a canditate’s political campaign. However, this stand is against those who desire to make abortion a constitutional right in Arkansas. Covenant Baptist Church will fight in obedience to scripture and as a righteous duty defending the unborn who need of someone with a voice to speak for them.
“Abortion – often referred to as the legal, systematic elimination of the most vulnerable members in our society – is one of the most heinous crimes known to man. I vehemently oppose it, and I ardently agree with the scriptural teaching regarding the origin of life at conception. My goal as a Christian has never been to force others to agree with me. Instead, my goal has been to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Abortion is a subject mentioned in political debates, but is primarily a subject found deep in the Word of God.” - Paul Chappell
There is an event this Sunday, January 28th on the Fayetteville Square (2 PM). The group Arkansans for Limited Government will be holding a rally celebrating the certification of their abortion amendment. At this event they will begin gathering signatures for the amendment. Media will definitely be present. Perhaps a large showing of people holding signs that say, “Decline to Sign - don’t sign for abortion!” just might end up on the news.
PS. If you plan to attend, I would suggest arriving by 1PM or 1:30PM because you may have to walk as parking will be an issue.
Bart