Baptists oppose stem-cell measure

Delegates overwhelmingly supported a resolution against Amendment 2.

By LINDA REDEFFER

Southeast Missourian

In the final day of its annual meeting, the Missouri Baptist Convention voiced overwhelming opposition to Missouri's proposed stem-cell amendment in a show-of-hands vote Wednesday.

Amendment 2 would protect Missouri researchers working with stem cells from legislative attempts to restrict the scope of their experiments. Voters will decide the fate of the amendment Tuesday.

The Missouri Baptist Convention's resolution states in part that Amendment 2 "will distract from ethical and already effective research using adult stem cells" and will radically alter the state constitution, "potentially repealing or modifying over 45 different sections, three of which are contained in the Bill of Rights."

Keynote speaker Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religion Commission for the convention, said it is time for God's chosen people to speak up on such controversial worldly issues.

Rodney Albert, chairman of the Missouri Baptist Christian Life Commission, based his remarks on Proverbs 6:16-17, applying its message to the amendment.

"God hates a proud look," Albert said. "Nothing is more prideful and more arrogant than taking God's creation and turning it into a research experiment."

Both men said they believe that cultivating embryonic stem cells goes beyond developing some cells in a Petri dish. "It would allow cloning a human embryo and especially demand it be killed before 14 days' gestation," Land said.

Both men said women could be exploited for their eggs in the process. "There will be a market for human flesh once again in America," Land said.

An embryo, whether cloned or conceived, is a human being, he said.

"You may have been an accident to your parents, but God created each one of us with a specific plan and special purpose," Land said.

More than 1,500 messengers -- delegates from Missouri Southern Baptist churches -- voted on a slate of resolutions. One supports the restoration of historic Old Bethel Church, the first Baptist church west of the Mississippi. The church is just outside Jackson.

The body withdrew a motion to amend the convention's rotation schedule to exclude Cape Girardeau.

Executive director David Clippard said lack of motel space has been a problem during this meeting but that the Missouri Baptist Convention was committed to having it here this year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Old Bethel Church. Some visitors stayed in Perryville and Sikeston because not enough rooms were available closer. The convention rotates among Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, Kansas City and the Springfield/Osage Beach area.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

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