COLUMBUS—Today, Ohio Christian and denominational leaders released an open letter opposing Issue 1 and denouncing the abortion industry’s ad suggesting Christians should support the extreme constitutional amendment.

The letter is signed by a group of prominent Ohio denominational leaders who come from a variety of backgrounds but together call on Christians to courageously vote no on Issue 1.  The leaders emphasize the lies and misinformation surrounding the amendment and call out the abortion industry for using faith to mislead Christians into voting for the amendment. 

“We should not mistake the lies surrounding this amendment for the truth,” the group writes. 

Issue 1 backers have falsely stated that pregnant women cannot receive care for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, a claim that was directly refuted by the Ohio Department of Health.

“If Issue 1 is adopted, the most innocent among us will suffer. Issue 1 will allow late-term abortions in Ohio and result in unspeakable pain for unborn babies,” the leaders state. “It will make Ohio one of the most extreme states in the country for abortion and eliminate health and safety standards that exist to protect women.”

In a recent statewide ad, Governor Mike DeWine expressed his concerns with the amendment, saying that it will go “way too far.” The Toledo Blade editorial board, which noted support for abortion in a recent editorial, also echoed concerns with the amendment’s extreme provisions writing, “This amendment to the state constitution goes too far and should be defeated.”

The denominational leaders noted that while they have important theological differences, they agree that Issue 1 is too extreme for Ohio. The group urges fellow Christians to be discerning as they see the abortion industry’s lies about the amendment and to vote no on Issue 1.

The letter is available here.

In a recently released video, Alliance Defending Freedom CEO, President & General Counsel Kristen Waggoner encouraged Ohio church leaders to boldly engage in the fight for life and openly oppose Issue 1. Watch her message below, or visit youtube.com/watch?v=vwuhXxSQ-3I.

To download a copy of the document explaining what churches can do in elections, or to order free nonpartisan materials on Issue 1, visit CCV.org/Vote.

For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or contact@ccv.org. Please direct media inquiries to media@ccv.org.

As Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. 

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