The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States with almost 13 million members, made a significant decision in Indianapolis recently. During their annual meeting, which attracts over 10,000 delegates, the Southern Baptists voted to oppose the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF). This move reflects a growing trend among evangelicals to view embryos as equivalent to human life.
The resolution put forth at the meeting emphasized the value and right to life of every human being, including those in the embryonic stage. It called on Southern Baptists to only use reproductive technologies that align with this affirmation, especially with regards to the number of embryos generated during the IVF process. Additionally, the resolution urged delegates to advocate for government intervention to prevent actions that go against the dignity of every human being, including frozen embryonic human beings.
While the majority of delegates at the convention are against abortion, many of them utilize fertility treatments. Despite the fact that IVF can lead to the destruction of unused embryos, Southern Baptists distinguish this process from abortion because the goal of fertility treatments is to create new life.
Before the vote took place, delegates listened to emotional testimonies from individuals who were in favor of softening the language of the resolution. The title of the resolution was “On the Ethical Realities of Reproductive Technologies and the Dignity of the Human Embryo.”
This decision by the Southern Baptist Convention has sparked discussions about the intersection of faith, ethics, and reproductive technologies within the evangelical community. It highlights the ongoing debate within religious groups about the sanctity of life and the moral implications of medical procedures like IVF. The stance taken by the Southern Baptists also signals a shift in focus towards protecting what they consider to be the rights of the unborn, even at the embryonic stage.