Handicapped children are God’s punishment for abortion according to Virginia Delegate

Republican Delegate Robert G. Marshall believes the first born are dedicated to the Lord and if an abortion occurs the subsequent children will be punished.

According to the Washington Post:

"The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion who have handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the firstborn of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children," Marshall said.

"In the Old Testament, the firstborn of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord," he added. "There's a special punishment Christians would suggest -- and with the knowledge that they have in faith, it's been verified by a study from Virginia Commonwealth University -- first abortions, of a first pregnancy, are much more damaging than later abortions."

The remarks were made at a press conference last week with twenty other people – mostly clergy – attacking public funding for Planned Parenthood. None of the clergy are reported to have objected to Marshall’s assessment of handicapped children as punishment from God. The study Marshall referred to suggests a higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight for children of mothers who previously had abortions.

Following outrage voiced by families of handicapped children and advocates for the disabled, Marshall is now trying to back off the remarks. In a statement issued on his website, Marshall claims he was misunderstood and says, "I have devoted a generation of work to defending disabled and unwanted children, and have always maintained that they are special blessings to their parents.”

Marshall, a former researcher for the American Life League, opposes not only abortion but all forms of birth control that may take effect after conception. He is currently serving his seventh term in the Virginia House of Delegates.