LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 187

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 187

WHEREAS, Former U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, a mem-
ber of an LCMS parish, has consistently supported abortion on de-
mand, and even berated his fellow LCMS Lutherans for their pro
life stance; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention request an opinion of
the CTCR on the following two questions:

1. May a member of an LCMS congregation who publicly ad-
vocates a “prochoice” position, and/or (in the case of elected or ap-
pointed government officials) promotes legislation or policy which
promotes “abortion rights,” remain a member in good standing of
an LCMS parish?

2. May a parish which does not exercise discipline upon such a
person remain a parish in good standing in the Synod?

Zion
Fort Wayne, IN

3-116

To Reject Fetal Tissue Research and Fetal Tissue
Transplantation Obtained from Abortion on Demand
and Partial-Birth Abortion

Wuereas, God our heavenly Father is the Author and Creator
of all tife (Genesis 1 and John 1:1—3); and

WHEREAS, Many unbom children, whom God has woven to-
gether in their mothers’ wombs (Ps. 139:13—-16) are being slain in
the name of medical technology through abortion on demand, in
many cases through the inhumane partial-birth abortion procedure,
for the purposes of fetal tissue research and fetal transplantation;
and

WHEREAS, We are called to speak up for those who cannot
speak for themselves (Prov. 31:8), and to love them as ourselves
(Matt. 19:18-19; Luke 10:27; John 13:34-35; 15:17; Rom. 13:10);
and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has shown
a consistent commitment to the sanctity of human life; therefore be
it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, its con-
gregations, pastors, teachers, and lay leaders be encouraged to use
opportunities to reaffirm the biblical prolife stand and completely
reject the inhumane treatment of unborn children through abortion
on demand and partial-birth abortion for the purposes of fetal tissue
research and fetal tissue transplantation; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod be encouraged to put their commitment to Christ
and the unborn into a living faith through physically and financially
supporting lawful prolife activities and prolife organizations such
as Lutherans for Life; and be it finally

Resolved, That the congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod be encouraged to reach out to those who find
themselves in a crisis pregnancy and those families confronted with
decisions about fetal tissue transplantation with the same love,
mercy, and grace which Christ Himself extended to us.

Our Redeemer, Stapiehurst, NE; St. Martin, Birch Run,
MI; Board of Directors, Michigan District; Seward Circuit
Forum, Nebraska District; St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth, MI

3-117

To Condemn Fetal Tissue Usage

WHEREAS, The American public remains largely unaware or ill-
informed of the serious moral issues surrounding the use of fetal
tissue; and

WHEREAS, The immorality of abortion cannot be erased by “hu-
manitarian’’ uses for the organs and tissues of aborted babies; and

WHEREAS, Such use promotes an ethic that sees the end as
somehow justifying the means; and

WHEREAS, These tissues will be obtained from intentionally
aborted unborn babies and, in some cases, while the child is yet
alive; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affirm
the immorality of abortion; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod de-
nounce the exaggeration of the potential for successful fetal tissue
implants because it diverts attention away from ongoing research in
other areas and instead encourage alternative methods of curing
neurological diseases; and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod strongly
condemn the use of fetal tissue from any intentionally aborted baby
at any stage of development for research, donation, or any other
so-called benevolent or humanitarian uses.

Falls City Circuit Forum
Nebraska District

3-118

To Encourage Lutherans to Reconsider Buying
or Using Disney Products

WHEREAS, The Bible teaches: Matt. 5:13—-15, “You are the salt
of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made
salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown
out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on
a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it
under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house.” John 1:5-7, “The light shines in the dark-
ness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who
was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to
testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might be-
lieve.” So we believe that Christians are called upon by the Lord to
let the light of His Word shine through us to others around us; and

WHEREAS, The Bible teaches: John 8:31-32, “To the Jews who
had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are
really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will
set you free.’” So we believe that there is absolute truth found in
Jesus and His Word, and if we are to be His disciples and be truly
free we are to follow the Savior and His Word; and.

WHEREAS, The Bible teaches: Matt. 7:21-23, “Not everyone
who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many
will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many
miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away
from me, you evildoers!’” Matt. 10:32-33, “Whoever acknowl-
edges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Fa-
ther in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown
him before my Father in heaven.” So we believe we are to stand in
this world making the good confession of Jesus and the truth of His
Word; and

WHEREAS, The Bible teaches: Rom. 1:26-27, “Because of this,
God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women ex-
changed natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the
men also abandoned natural relations with women and were in-
flamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts
with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for
their perversion.” So we believe that homosexuality is a perversion
of God’s will for His people; and

WueEREAS, The Bible teachers: 1 Tim. 5:22, 24-25, “Do not be
hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of oth-
ers. Keep yourself pure. ... The sins of some men are obvious,
reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others
trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and
even those that are not cannot be hidden.” So we believe that if we
know of sin and do nothing about it, we participate in that sin; and

WHEREAS, It has become abundantly clear of late, that the Dis-
ney corporation and its subsidiaries (Disneyland, Disney World,
ABC, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax Films,
Caravan Pictures, and others) have promoted the homosexual/les-