# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S232 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 232 HUMAN CARE Resolved, That our Synod in convention request our congrega- tions to encourage their members to voice their opposition to reli- gious persecution to their representatives in government, especially in regard to the Freedom from Religious Persecution Bill; and be it finally Resolved, That our Synod in convention request our congrega- tions to encourage their members as an action of self-denial in standing with our persecuted brothers and sisters not to purchase products from countries that persecute people for their religious be- liefs. Emanuel Patchogue, NY 6-21 To Recognize Plight of Persecuted Christians WHEREAS, Various governmental and private agencies have documented the increasing problem of religious persecution, and especially the persecution of Christians, around the world; and WHEREAS, The Word of God teaches that those that persecute Christians persecute Christ (Acts 9:4); and WHEREAS, The Word of God commends those Christians who stand by fellow believers when they suffer persecution in Christ’s name (Heb. 10:32--34); and WHEREAS, The Word of God instructs us to be mindful of those who suffer persecution in Christ’s name, saying, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Heb. 13:3); and WHEREAS, The Word of God teaches us to work for the welfare of fellow believers, saying, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the fam- ily of believers” (Gal. 6:10); and WHEREAS, The Word of God reminds us that true faith consists not only of wishing our brothers and sisters well, but of working for their welfare (James 2:15~—17); therefore be it Resolved, That the congregations and members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be encouraged to pray regularly for those who are persecuted for Christ; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encour- age Lutheran aid agencies to make a special effort to work for the welfare of persecuted Christians; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encour- age its congregations and their members to make a special effort to support with their prayers, efforts, and gifts those agencies that do work for the welfare of persecuted Christians; and be it finally Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encour- age the members of its congregations to support efforts to reduce religious persecution, and especially the persecution of Christians, around the world. Board for Mission Services 6-22 To Protect Religious Liberty WHEREAS, America was founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic but has affirmed the principle of freedom of religion for all people who live in our country; and WHEREAS, In recent years persecution of people of different re- ligious convictions has taken place in certain nations of the world, and examples of such include *Zhang Xiu ju (China), a house-church leader who was beaten to death by police in April 1996. She refused to stop holding “‘ille- gal” services in her home and to stop evangelizing. *Melek Akyil (Turkey), a Christian businessman arrested June 22, 1996, and falsely accused of terrorism. He’s the victim of gov- emment intimidation to force the Christians to convert to Islam or leave. ¢Matthias Akabd (Sudan), arrested January 1995, along with his wife and baby, and has not been heard from since. *Jacob Jeyaseelan (Saudi Arabia), arrested December 22, 1995, for leading an “illegal” Christian gathering of 50 Indian Christians. A total of seven were detained and severely beaten. All but Jacob were released. ¢Salamat Masih (Pakistan), arrested in 1993 at the age of 12 for blasphemy and threatened with death. He was acquitted in 1995 as a result of international pressure. Extremists have placed a bounty on his life. He has fled his home and family and now lives in hid- ing. ¢Soner Onder (Turkey), at the age of 17, was arrested following a Christmas service in 1991. He was beaten and is serving a life sentence. and WHEREAS, It is a difficult and delicate task to balance the recog- nition of sovereignty of a foreign nation in dealing with its own people and the obligation of people of conscience to take reason- able steps to protect the freedom of religion for the people of the world; and WHEREAS, Legislation has been introduced at the federal level to place America on the side of affirming and supporting freedom of religion for all the people of the world; and WHEREAS, Said federal legislation is HR 2431 in the House of Representatives, the principal author being Congressman Frank Wolf, R-VA, which has 102 cosponsors, and S 772 in the U.S. Sen- ate, the principal author being Arlen Specter, R-PA, with 5 co- sponsors; and WHEREAS, Said legislation proposes a modest effort of monitor- ing religious persecution in an office of the Secretary of State and authorizes alteration of foreign aid assistance for a country which inflicts or condones religious persecution of its people; and WHEREAS, A restriction in any country of the world in the pur- suit of freedom of religion is an interference with the mandate of our Lord in Matt. 28:19: “So, wherever you go, make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS does hereby endorse these two leg- islative proposals and encourages Congress to adopt them and the President to sign them. Our Savior Fullerton, CA 6-23 To Reaffirm and Enhance Christian Citizenship Ministry WHEREAS, The LCMS (1992 Res. 7-07A and 1995 Res. 3-15) encouraged congregations of the Synod to establish public affairs committees (rename: Christian Citizenship Committees) and through its Office of Government Information and its Board of Human Care Ministries to inform congregations of timely and im- portant legislative issues; and WHEREAS, LCMS President, Dr. A. L. Barry, has stated clearly that the task of the church is to inform, to educate, to encourage, and to hold before her individual members the challenges of speak- ing out on many issues in conformity with our confession of faith; and WHEREAS, We live in a time when absolute truth and biblical morals are written out of the laws of our land and Christians have a greater need to be more aware and discerning of these events; and WHEREAS, We live in a time where religious freedoms are slowly being eroded away (examples: challenges to church hiring practices based on biblical beliefs, religious expression in public places, and removal of historical religious influence from public school textbooks, etc.); therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS continue to encourage its Districts and congregations to establish Christian Citizenship Committees