The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma is publicly opposing  Senate Bill 13, the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act.

Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, is the author of SB13, which would bring an immediate end to legalized abortion in Oklahoma.

“The BGCO’s letter asserts Senate Bill 13 would be invalidated by the courts, but the provisions of the bill specifically reserve the right and duty of the state of Oklahoma to uphold the Constitution and protect life regardless of a negative Supreme Court opinion,” Silk said in a statement. “This objection not only shows a misunderstanding of the bill by the BGCO, but also a complete lack of understanding of how our republic is supposed to operate. The state does not need the permission of the courts to protect innocent children from murder. It is appalling the BGCO leadership hinges their support of legislation on whether the courts will agree, instead of whether it is moral and just.

 “I was appalled by the reasoning given by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma in its letter.  The BGCO leadership stated there are more proven and plausible life-saving policies that Oklahoma could enact, but in reality, this is just a blanket statement that looks good on paper but offers no solutions. It is interesting that they list no “better” policies. 

“The BGCO’s reasoning that SB 13 unnecessarily repeals ‘pro-life’ legislation that has been passed and signed into law is flawed.   The ‘pro-life’ legislation that the BGCO is so proud and protective of is the very legislation that is keeping abortion legal in Oklahoma. If Oklahoma wants to end abortion and protect all human life, we cannot retain the exceptions that these ‘pro-life’ laws offer. We are either an abortion-free state or a state that simply regulates abortion.”

The BGCO letter states that the convention is “categorically opposed to abortion” and that “Oklahoma Baptists have championed numerous bills designed to protect life and fight abortion.”

The letter claims that if passed, SB13 would immediately be overturned, it would repeal current pro-life laws that don’t stop abortion but “significantly reduce” the number of abortions in Oklahoma and that the bill removes the exception that allows an abortion to save the life of the mother.

It is signed by Dr. Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer; Dr. Blake Gideon, senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Edmond and president of the BGCO; and Brian Hobbs, editor of the Baptist Messenger.

Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma, said, “Senate Bill 13, in my estimation, is fatally flawed, it is unenforceable and unconstitutional on its face. It’s a nullification bill wrapped in abortion language.  And it is a dangerous move.”

Treat said that if SB13 were passed, “I do not believe it would save a single life.”

Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, has introduced a “personhood” bill (SB195) that states that life begins at conception but it doesn’t make abortion illegal.