(Leesburg, Virginia) — Two initiatives are on the ballot to change Virginia’s Constitution, and they carry profound significance. Pastor Jonathan Falwell, Bishop E.W. Jackson, and I have been traveling across Virginia to help churches understand the ramifications of these amendments.
Every time I, as a pastor, discuss these issues, people say, “Don’t get political!” Please understand: this is not political; this is Biblical. The political, secular world has stepped into the theological world. When that happens, we as pastors need to speak out.
These two ballot measures coming up in Virginia affect the values of our Biblical views.
Marriage Amendment
The first has to do with marriage. SB 311, proposing to change the Constitution of Virginia, states:
“That marriage is one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness. This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions 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 Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall recognize any lawful marriage between two adult persons and treat such marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of such persons” (emphasis added).
Here’s why this is important. Right now, Virginia’s Constitution defines marriage as between one man and one woman. When the Obergefell decision was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court, legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states, it trumped Virginia’s Constitution.
If at any point in the future, Obergefell were to be overturned—as Roe was overturned, sending abortion back to the states—our state constitution, as it is currently written, would then take priority, stating that marriage is between one man and one woman.
Progressives want to change the Constitution so that, in the event that Obergefell were ever overturned, the legalization of same-sex marriage would be enshrined in our state constitution.
This also could potentially impact churches. If this were codified into our state constitution, what legal ramifications would it create for churches that refuse, as we would, a same-sex couple who wants to be married?
Another aspect of SB 311 that I want you to notice is the separation of “sex” from “gender.”
Once you codify the idea that gender is a separate designation from biological sex, you allow people to identify themselves by whatever gender they want. That opens dangerous doors. There will be no protection excluding boys from girls’ sports, locker rooms, and bathrooms.
By the way, notice it says “sex, gender, or race.” Race is presently protected under Virginia law. It is an immutable, God-given characteristic. Sexual sin, on the other hand, is a choice. What they are doing is hijacking the race issue in order to promote their own civil rights.
To reiterate, this amendment will redefine marriage and gender in direct opposition to God’s definition.
‘Fundamental Right To Reproductive Freedom’
Now let’s move to what they call “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” Sounds wonderful and sounds inviting, doesn’t it?
HB781 begins:
“That every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including the ability to make and carry out decisions relating to one’s own prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care.”
Notice the language, “abortion care.” Isn’t that an oxymoron? “We’re gonna kill our babies… but that is caring.” It reminds me of Anne Hathaway, who, on The View—I don’t watch The View—said that abortion is actually “mercy.” This is the trend that is happening in our country right now.
HB781 continues:
“An individual’s right to reproductive freedom shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”
Let me break this down for you. First, notice the word “individual.” They are not distinguishing an adult from a minor. This would completely strip you of any parental rights regarding your children. Minors would be able to have full access to abortion because they are an “individual.” It would not be restricted or controlled at all by parental rights, but deferred to whatever person and whatever stage of life, minor or adult.
The amendment also strips safety standards. There will be no prosecution, not just for doctors, but for anybody performing an abortion, including those who assist in it. What does this mean? It opens the door for women to self-abort, which will be a health hazard. It also opens the door for boyfriends to assist without prosecution.
Christians: Let Your Voices Be Heard
The ramifications of these amendments passing would be enormous. They would make our state Constitution inconsistent with God’s view of the sacredness of marriage and the sacredness of life.
If you are a citizen of Virginia, you have an opportunity to express your Christian values and vote no on these amendments.
According to Pew Research and First Liberty, 90 million self-identified evangelical Christians in America are eligible to vote.
90 million.
We are the largest voting bloc in America, but tragically, of the 90 million eligible to vote, 40 million do not vote, and 15 million are not even registered. The majority of Christians sit it out, and as a result, we allow evil and are ceding ground to Satan.
When evil policies are enacted and Christians sit it out, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Christians need to let their voices be heard and stand up for God’s definition of marriage and sanctity of life from the womb to the tomb.
What God defines, we must defend.
I hope you’ll pray about it. I hope our country and our state will do what is necessary to honor God. Psalm 33:12 states, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” When we go against God, we invite hardships on ourselves. “The way of the transgressor is hard,” the Bible says in Proverbs 13:15.
Prayer For Our Commonwealth
Father, we pray for Virginia. We pray, God, as these initiatives go before the voters, that voters would do the right thing… to stand for what is morally right in your eyes, Lord. That marriage is between one man and one woman, and that life is sacred from the womb to the tomb.
And, Father, we pray that these kinds of values that we hold near and dear to our hearts would reflect you well in the voting booth, and that we would do our part to continue to make your principles and values known as we stand on Your Word and the conviction of Your Word, Lord.
We lift all this up to you in Jesus’ name.
Amen and amen.
