Earlier this month, news outlets across the country reported that abortion will be on the state of Florida’s 2024 ballot. Amendment 4, the Right to Abortion Initiative, would add language to the Florida state constitution protecting abortion from being criminalized. Allow me to give you three reasons why I am voting NO on Amendment 4 this November and why every Florida resident should too.
First, I will vote NO because of the text of the amendment itself. This amendment is entitled the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.” It is an extremely misleading title. This amendment is not about government interference; instead, the proponents of this amendment want to use the force of government to establish abortion until the moment of birth. This amendment uses the word “viability” to determine whether a child in utero may be aborted. Many people suggest that a child is “viable” around 24 weeks; however, the amendment has deliberately chosen this term because it is vague and subjective. Because there is no real age of “viability,” using such language provides a loophole to eventually promote full-term abortions.
The text of the amendment further explains that abortion beyond the 24-week mark would be allowed when necessary to “protect the patient’s health.” Once again, “health” without qualifiers is a vague, subjective word. It could be used, for example, to refer to a female’s emotional or mental health if she is stressed about her financial situation. All that is required is physician approval. Clearly, the language of Amendment 4 is too vague, and intentionally so.
Second, I am voting NO on Amendment 4 because of what some pro-choice advocates are saying about abortion procedures. Even pro-abortion advocates are now admitting that abortion is murder. Biblical Christians have been saying this for decades, but now some abortion proponents agree. Just last week, Talk show host Bill Maher said on his show that “they [the pro-life crowd] think it’s murder, and it kind of is. I’m just okay with that…There’s eight billion people in the world. I’m sorry, we won’t miss you.”
If all pro-abortion advocates were as honest as Bill Maher was in that moment, Amendment 4 would instead be entitled “Amendment to Murder the Pre-Born.” Discussing “government interference” is sideline nonsense. The issue is truly whether or not murder will be legalized.
Our governor here in Pensacola, Ron DeSantis, had a much different opinion on the amendment than Bill Maher. He said that, if Amendment 4 passes, it would “make Florida like California in their abortion laws.” He warned that the amendment would “override parental consent laws,” saying that “the amendment is very, very extreme in a number of different ways.” He is right on both counts.
Third, and most importantly, I am voting NO on Amendment 4 because of what God says. God says that life begins at fertilization in our mother’s womb. Psalm 139, Luke 1:41, Jeremiah 1:5 and several other passages declare that truth. It is God who first said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Human life deserves to be treated with dignity and honor because humans are created by God and bear His image. Despite of what famous “theologian” Whoopi Goldberg recently said on the View, abortion IS mentioned in the “Big Ten.” Exodus 20:13 plainly says, “Thou shalt not kill.” Murder is prohibited by God’s law.
These three reasons are why I am voting NO on Amendment 4, and why I’m urging every Floridian to join me. Abortion is truly is a life-or-death issue. The pro-abortion advocates that are promoting Amendment 4 are motivated and active. They are hosting banquets, creating websites, and working hard to get their abortion amendment approved. However, to put it bluntly, they are advocating for death. As Bill Maher says, they are trying to spread murder. Instead of supporting death, I encourage you to join me in advocating for life. Vote NO on Amendment 4 this November.
The above article was written by James C. Johnson. He is the pastor of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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