Playback speed:
Current Virginia law requires three physicians’ approval for third-trimester abortions. HJ1 will reduce that to a single physician and remove the “substantially and irremediably” language from the health risk criteria.
This means more babies—fully formed, viable babies—will be killed in the womb during the final three months of pregnancy.
URGENT ACTION REQUIRED: Submit your public comment HERE opposing HJ1 before the House Privileges and Elections Committee votes.
A Warning to Virginia Christians, Church Ministers, Elders, Deacons, Sunday School Teachers, and Parents:
The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 24:11-12: “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?”
As believers, we must be seekers of truth and defenders of life, especially when innocent children hang in the balance.
The reality is that Virginia’s abortion lobby is moving NOW to enshrine unrestricted abortion in the state constitution through HJ1—the so-called “Reproductive Freedom Amendment.” This is no longer about political maneuvering—it’s about the systematic destruction of life being codified as a “constitutional right.”
And where is the church? Where are the pastors? Where is the groundswell of Christians that should be flooding the Virginia General Assembly with opposition?
Silence. Deafening, cowardly silence.
The Language of Death Wrapped in “Freedom”
Let’s be clear about what HJ1 actually does. The pro-abortion lobby has chosen the term “reproductive freedom” with diabolical precision. It’s Orwellian doublespeak designed to obscure the brutal reality: this amendment enshrines the killing of unborn children as a fundamental right.
“Reproductive freedom” sounds compassionate. It sounds like autonomy and choice. But Scripture calls us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we do that—when we apply critical thinking rooted in God’s Word—the deception crumbles.
“Reproductive freedom” means:
- Abortion through all nine months of pregnancy
- Elimination of the current requirement for three physicians’ approval for third-trimester abortions—reducing it to just ONE doctor’s opinion
- Removal of the “substantially and irremediably” standard—currently required to prove serious health risk—replaced with vague “mental health” justification
- A single physician can declare a fully-formed baby “not viable” with no oversight
- Removal of parental consent laws
- Stripping health and safety standards from abortion facilities
- Opening the door to taxpayer-funded abortion
This isn’t healthcare. This isn’t freedom. This is the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-17), and God hates it.
What Scripture Says About the Unborn
God’s Word is crystal clear on the sanctity of life in the womb:
“You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
The womb is God’s personal art studio. He fashions every human being with intentionality, purpose, and love. Before conception, He has plans for each life (Jeremiah 29:11). Before formation in the womb, He knows us (Jeremiah 1:5).
Every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and has intrinsic—not relative—value. Children in the womb are not “potential” life. They are not clumps of cells. They are not “products of conception.” They are image-bearers of the Almighty God, and we are commanded to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Yet HJ1 treats these precious children as disposable obstacles to “reproductive freedom.”
The Second Reference: Why This Moment Matters
HJ1 is in its “second reference”—meaning it already passed the Virginia General Assembly in 2025. Under Virginia law, constitutional amendments must pass both chambers in two consecutive sessions (with an election in between) before going to voters.
The 2025 House elections resulted in Democrats expanding their majority to 64-36. If HJ1 passes again in the 2026 session—which is happening RIGHT NOW—it will go on the ballot in November 2026 for voters to decide.
This is the LAST legislative barrier before Virginia voters face a choice between life and death.
And where are Virginia’s Christians? Where are the pastors preaching on this from the pulpit? Where is the outcry?
Charles Finney’s Warning Still Echoes
In our Pulpit is Responsible series, we’ve highlighted Charles Finney’s prophetic warning:
“If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discernment, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in Christianity, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it.”
Brothers and sisters, if Virginia enshrines abortion as a constitutional right, THE PULPIT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE.
Not the politicians. Not the abortion lobby. Not the media.
The pulpit—because it chose comfort over courage, popularity over truth, silence over prophetic witness.
The Deception of “Moderate” Abortion
Some Christians have been deceived into thinking Virginia already has “reasonable” abortion laws and that HJ1 just “protects the status quo.” This is a lie.
Current Virginia law:
- Requires three physicians’ approval for third-trimester abortions
- Requires the health risk to be “substantially and irremediably” harmful
- Provides meaningful oversight before ending a viable baby’s life
HJ1:
- Reduces oversight to ONE physician’s opinion
- Removes “substantially and irremediably” standard entirely
- Allows abortion when doctor determines it’s “medically indicated” for mother’s “physical or mental health”
- Allows abortion when ONE doctor deems the baby “not viable”
Do you see the loopholes? “Mental health” is subjective and all-encompassing. A woman claiming anxiety, depression, or even financial stress could qualify. “Not viable” is left to one abortion provider’s judgment. And all of this happens with no second or third opinion required.
This isn’t compromise. This is carte blanche for abortion on demand through all nine months—for fully formed babies who could survive outside the womb.
What You Must Do NOW
1. Submit Your Public Comment
The House Privileges and Elections Committee is accepting public testimony on HJ1 RIGHT NOW. Click here to submit your written comment.
Sample Comment:
“I am writing in opposition to HJ1. This amendment is extreme and would reduce third-trimester oversight from three physicians to just one, while removing the ‘substantially and irremediably’ health standard. This means fully-formed, viable babies could be aborted based on vague ‘mental health’ claims with no meaningful oversight. The amendment contains vague language that would allow parental consent laws to be removed and prevent health and safety standards from being enforced at abortion facilities. It could even enable taxpayer-funded abortion. Vote NO on HJ1. Stand up for preborn Virginians and stand for a Virginia beyond abortion!”
2. Demand Your Pastor Address This from the Pulpit
If your pastor has not addressed HJ1, ask him why. Respectfully but firmly insist that the church cannot remain silent while children are slaughtered. Share this article with him. Send him to our Pulpit is Responsible series.
3. Contact Your State Delegates and Senators
Find your legislators here and call their offices. Tell them to vote NO on HJ1. Be polite, be firm, be persistent.
4. Pray
Pray for conviction to fall on the Virginia General Assembly. Pray for the hearts of mothers considering abortion. Pray for courage for pastors to preach truth. Pray for God to raise up a generation of Christians who will not tolerate the shedding of innocent blood.
5. Share This Article
The most powerful weapon against darkness is light. Share this widely. Post it on social media. Email it to your church. Text it to your family.
No More Excuses
For decades, Virginia Christians have sat on the sidelines while evil advanced. We’ve outsourced our civic duty to politicians who betray us. We’ve trusted pastors who are more concerned with seeker-friendly sermons than prophetic truth.
No more.
God has given us this moment. He has placed you in Virginia “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). The question is: will you act, or will you remain silent and bear the guilt of innocent blood?
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)
The unborn cannot speak. But you can.
The pulpit has failed. But you don’t have to.
Submit your comment NOW. Speak for those who have no voice. God is watching.
Resources
- Submit Public Comment: https://hodspeak.house.virginia.gov/committees/H18/bill_feedback?ses=261
- Find Your Legislators: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/
- Virginia Society for Human Life: https://www.vshl.org/
- Virginia for PreBorn Justice: info@virginiaforprebornjustice.com
- Pulpit is Responsible Series: https://vachristian.org/tag/pulpit-is-responsible/
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views the Virginia Christian Alliance.
We welcome thoughtful and respectful dialogue from all viewpoints. Comments must remain civil, relevant, and free of profanity, personal attacks, or mockery of Christian faith. Disagreement is allowed—disrespect is not.
