In vitro fertilization, the fertility treatment more commonly known as IVF, allows millions of people struggling to have children to make their dreams of a family come true.
However, the fertility treatment has long been a source of division among Christians. Such divisions reached a peak last week after America’s largest Protestant denomination voted to condemn the process.
A Consequential Vote
On 12 June, Southern Baptists voted to oppose the use of in vitro fertilization at their convention in Indianapolis. The 10,000 delegates gathered for the denomination’s first meeting which directly addressed the hot topic issue.
The resolution the Southern Baptists supported commits to “Reaffirm the unconditional value and right to life of every human being, including those in an embryonic stage, and to only utilize reproductive technologies consistent with that affirmation, especially in the number of embryos generated in the I.V.F. process.”
Passionate Responses From Attendees
The ethics of IVF are far from being an agreed-upon matter among protestants – and the stark differences in opinions were on full display at the Southern Baptist Convention. “I thank God for I.V.F.,” said one attendee.
Another attendee, who previously had a son via IVF, offered a passionate plea in favor of allowing the fertility treatment. “I am for the sanctity of life and for the sanctity of embryos. I’m against the idea that this technology is so wicked that it cannot be employed,” he said.
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilization is a popular fertility treatment that helps millions of people every year have children of their own.
The process involves removing eggs from the woman’s body, fertilizing those eggs, and then transferring the fertilized eggs into the womb. For women under 35, IVF has a success rate%20is,womb%20to%20grow%20and%20develop.) of 32%.
Why Some Christians Oppose IVF
There are a number of reasons why some Christians oppose IVF. For many, they simply see the process of in vitro fertilization as interfering with the plans of God.
Moreover, the process of IVF inevitably leaves spare embryos – which can be frozen, but more often than not are destroyed. For many who believe that life begins at conception, this is deemed morally unacceptable.
Who Are Southern Baptists?
Southern Baptists are the world’s largest Baptist organization and the US’s largest protestant body. They are estimated to have 13 million members in the United States, with weekly church attendance nearing four million.
Southern Baptists hold annual meetings every June, where delegates (known as “messengers”) are sent to vote on the denomination’s official policy stances. Every cooperating church is allowed to send at least two messengers.
IVF Takes Center Stage in Alabama
Proponents of IVF were sent into a panic earlier this year when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos had the same rights as children, and therefore people could be held liable for their destruction.
That ruling provoked a strong backlash and a bipartisan supermajority in the state House and Senate voted to protect the fertility treatment. Republican Governor Kay Ivey quickly signed the pro-IVF bill into law. However, a new challenge to that legislation has once again thrown the state of IVF availability in the state into question.
The Public Support IVF
While the messengers at the Southern Baptist Conference may have voted against IVF, their opinion is not shared by most Americans according to polls. A recent poll found that 86% of Americans support keeping IVF legal.
Earlier this month, a Gallup poll found that only 10% of Americans believe IVF is morally wrong. Meanwhile, 70% of Americans believe having access to IVF is a good thing.
The New Challenge To IVF
Two families who were at the heart of the Alabama case that led to the state temporarily suspending IVF procedures earlier this year have requested a judge to overturn the new law that protects clinics from liability.
The new appeal from the families has once again thrown into question the availability of IVF in the state and has further ignited a national debate over the issue.
Another Controversial Southern Baptists Vote
Last Wednesday, the Southern Baptists voted on another controversial proposal – one that would’ve banned their churches from having women pastors.
61% of delegates voted in favor of the ban, however, a 66% supermajority was needed for passage. Therefore, the vote had the effect of reversing a 2023 preliminary decision that barred women from presiding over Sothern Baptist churches.
