Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this guest post are solely those of the guest author. Live Action News has made some edits for clarity.
In November, Ohioans will vote on Issue 1, a ballot measure that seeks to make abortion a right in the Ohio Constitution. Two women — a retired schoolteacher and freelance writer — both serve on the Ohio team of Intercessors for America, and are passionate about defending life. Together, they are educating Ohio citizens about the ballot measure.
Retired schoolteacher Kimberly Brown is the current IFA Ohio State Prayer Leader who hosts robust weekly prayer calls in which a team of dedicated intercessors unite in prayer for all issues affecting Ohio. Her team has been laser-focused over many months, interceding for Ohio in its battle to defend life and stay informed about the amendment slated for November’s ballot.
She has kept her team abreast of issues and avenues to make a difference. The websites below allow Ohioans to study the issue for themselves:
- The “Full Text of the Proposed Amendment” submitted to and approved by the State of Ohio Attorney General’s Office
- An explanation on the language
Kimberly Brown, Ohio State Prayer Leader with IFApray.org
Below, Brown shares her insights after prayerfully “sitting with, reading, and re-reading the amendment for quite some time now.” She writes of the proposed Ohio amendment language:
1. No gender is stated. No male, female, he, she, boy, girl. This opens the door to men and women, boys and girls, altering their reproductive systems according to their “rights.”
2. No age limits or restrictions is stated. This opens the door that any male or female of any age can make decisions about their body at any point in time.
3. “The State shall not…directly or indirectly…burden, penalize, prohibit, interfere with or discriminate against…” an individual person or organization helping a person make these choices and decisions.
If the State cannot intervene, then parents will not be able to intervene. The parents will be viewed as part of “the State” because they are the “legal guardians” as defined by law under the State.
If this amendment is passed it will become “Law” under the Ohio Constitution, Article 1, Section 1 BILL OF RIGHTS, but it REMOVES THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS! And it PROTECTS individuals and organizations that have ulterior motives, giving them RIGHTS to your children. [Author Note: Please refer to Lisa Bast’s video link below, which further illuminates and elaborates upon this, and other broad implications.]
4. “However, abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability. But in no case may such an abortion be prohibited if in the professional judgement of the pregnant patient’s treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.”
“Abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability.” This statement is there to appease those who are “against” abortion. “Fetal viability” is further defined in the following paragraph of the amendment. This statement is there to make abortion seem “reasonable” and to have “limits”.
However, the very next statement NEGATES the first statement: “But in no case may such an abortion be prohibited if in the professional judgement of the pregnant patient’s treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.”
A doctor stated to me: ‘You can drive a Mack truck through that statement.’
An individual in the ninth month of pregnancy, due to deliver, can decide the birth of this baby will endanger his/her mental health, create undue stress and therefore the pregnancy needs to be terminated.
In conclusion, this amendment is so loosely and vaguely written that it will open the door to things we are not even able to imagine… if this amendment is passed it will become ‘Law’ under the Ohio Constitution, and will open a door to a level of devastation to Ohio’s families and children that we have not yet seen or experienced.
Lisa Bast – Freelance Writer, Pro-Life Advocate
Freelance writer and pro-life advocate Lisa Bast felt compelled to put actions to her prayers. Through the aid of an experienced videographer, Bast created a tool to carve through confusion and expose varied angles and elements of the Ohio amendment.
Her video, ISSUE 1: Ohio Call to Action, concludes with concrete avenues that those both inside and outside Ohio can use to help inform Ohioans.
Brown and Bast are just two examples of the many life-minded individuals and organizations who have chosen to call for all hands on deck both in prayer and practical efforts to educate Ohio citizens on ISSUE 1 and its potential consequences.
Author’s Note: For more information, please visit ProtectWomenOhio.com.
