Conservative evangelical Christian voters are grappling with a changing Republican viewpoint on abortion as former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance stir further confusion with their recent comments about a potential federal abortion ban.

Some steadfast evangelical supporters of Trump have criticized the GOP presidential nominee for adopting a less rigid position on abortion, even going as far as to claim Trump is as pro-choice as Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. This discontent continues the ongoing debate that began prior to the Republican National Convention in July, where the religious right urged the GOP to maintain a strong anti-abortion stance.

Prominent leaders within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) based in Nashville, along with other influential evangelical figures, are increasingly expressing their disillusionment and are openly stating they won’t support Trump in the upcoming November elections.

Here’s how they reached this point.

Confusion Arises Before the Republican National Convention

The uncertainty among evangelicals regarding the Republican party’s anti-abortion message began to escalate leading up to the convention, as the party adopted a platform suggesting that abortion policies should be determined at the state level.

“The Republican Party has consistently upheld the value and dignity of life for many years. We must not waver now in this post-Roe era,” stated Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which represents the SBC’s policy efforts, in a letter to the Republican National Committee on July 3.

In June, the SBC voted against in vitro fertilization, while recently, Trump proposed that insurance companies or the federal government should cover IVF costs.

Other significant Christian leaders added to the criticism. Leatherwood and others believe that the party’s approach of allowing states to decide on abortion reduces the evangelical push for stricter abortion laws at both state and federal levels.

“We need national leaders prepared to present a strong vision for life in this new time,” Leatherwood emphasized in his letter dated July 3. “To deviate from this would suggest to millions of pro-life Americans that our mission lacks importance.”

Concerns Intensify

The worries expressed by Leatherwood became even more pronounced recently following comments made by Trump and Vance regarding abortion.

On August 23, Trump stated, “My Administration will greatly support women and their reproductive rights,” and in an interview aired by NBC, Vance mentioned that Trump would veto a federal abortion ban.

“Donald Trump’s belief is that we prefer individual states and their unique cultures and political environments to make these choices, as we want to avoid endless federal disputes over this issue,” Vance articulated in the NBC interview.

The backlash was immediate.

Within the SBC, some conservative figures expressed their disapproval. Denny Burk, president of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood based in Louisville, labeled Vance’s remarks as “abominable.” Additionally, Georgia pastor Mike Stone, who had previously clashed with other SBC leaders over his strong support for Trump, referred to Trump’s social media post as “ethically wrong and politically unwise.”

Other notable evangelicals beyond the SBC, like Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, remarked on social media, “Trump not only risks his own support but jeopardizes the majority of Republican candidates who are firmly pro-life.”

Frustration, Yet No Rebellion

Although there is significant frustration, evangelicals are not completely turning against Trump.

In anticipation of their vote for the Republican candidate in November, some significant supporters of Trump are shifting their focus to other concerns.

“Rather than critiquing Trump about a national abortion ban, let’s work on convincing the electorate today to make abortion not just illegal but inconceivable,” stated Texas pastor Jack Graham, who heads one of the largest Southern Baptist Convention churches and served on a religious advisory committee during Trump’s presidency.

Al Mohler, who is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, expressed his dissatisfaction with Republicans on a recent podcast but emphasized that the alternative is even more threatening.

“Evangelical Christians find themselves in a tricky situation,” Mohler remarked during the podcast. “We have one candidate who represents some of our aspirations and another who embodies nearly all of our anxieties regarding this issue.”

After Trump made further statements about Florida’s six-week abortion ban and in vitro fertilization, Mohler openly criticized him.

“Former President Trump should quickly recognize the risks of neglecting pro-life voters — that price could be substantial,” Mohler mentioned on social media Thursday night. “Pro-life Christian voters need to approach our challenge in this election thoughtfully and seriously, beginning with the top of the ballot.”

Liam Adams reports on religion for The Tennessean, part of the YSL News Network. You can contact him at ladams@tennessean.com or connect on social media @liamsadams.