LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 231

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6. HUMAN CARE

6-01

To Commend President’s Commission
on Sanctity of Life

WHEREAS, The President’s Commission on the Sanctity of Life,
in its document That They May Have Life, stated: “Human life is
not an achievement. It is an endowment. It has measureless value,
because every individual, at every stage of development and every
state of consciousness, is known and loved by God. This is the
source of human dignity and the basis for human equality. It must
therefore be asserted without exception or qualification: No one is
worthless whom God has created and for whom Christ died”; and

WHEREAS, The Commission further stated: “Uncompromising
respect for human life is fundamental and the foundational princi-
ple for human community that enables individuals to live together
in security and harmony”; and

WHEREAS, The Commission stil] further stated: “This principle
calls upon every individual and society to rightly define the human
community. Will all be counted as neighbors, or will some be re-
garded and treated as strangers and cast beyond protection? In a
democracy, men and women of every walk and station of life have
a role and responsibility in answering these great and significant
questions”; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention once again thank the President’s Commission on the Sanc-
tity of Life for the document; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention commend President Alvin Barry, Rev. James Likens, Rev.
Pau] McCain, and all involved in the making of the video LIFE:
It’s a “Class” Project, and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention continue to support all efforts to uphold and underscore the
Christian concern for the sanctity of life.

Pilgrim, West Bend, WI; Zion, Tomball, TX; St. Paul,
Magnolia, TX

6-02

To Reiterate Synod’s Stance on Abortion
in Light of RU-486

WHEREAS, The Bible clearly states that the child in the mother’s
womb is a living human being in Jer. 1:5; Ps. 139:16; Isa. 49:1, 5;
and Luke 1:41, 44; and

WHEREAS, Abortion is a sin as it is a violation of God’s com-
mand that “You shall not murder”; and

WHEREAS, The Christian church has historically stated its stance
regarding abortion dating back to the early church fathers; and

WuereEas, The Confessions state in Martin Luther’s Small Cat-
echism that not only are Christians not to “hurt nor harm our neigh-
bor, but help and support him in every need,” which includes the
child yet in the womb; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has long
held out a strong voice in support of defenseless human life, espe-
cially from conception, and continues to speak out concerning the
sin of abortion; and

WHEREAS, The introduction of RU-486 has made it easier for
women to take the life of their own children yet in the womb while
strengthening and perpetuating the myth in our culture that the un-
born child is not worthy of life or protection; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention condemn the use of
RU-486 for abortive purposes; and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical President send a letter to the pres-
ident of the United States of America on behalf of the Synod re-
questing a thorough review of the decision made by the Federal
Drug Administration regarding RU-486 and its use in the killing
of unborn children; and be it further

Resolved, That all pastors, professional church workers, and
congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod confess

231

where we have faltered in defense of the unborn child and be en-
couraged to work with the many prolife groups in our country who
actively work to end abortion in this country; and be it finally

Resolved, That all congregations actively hold out the hope,
support, and forgiveness that Christ won for us on the cross to those
women who have had abortions.

St. John
Wrenshall, MN

6-03

To Require Acceptance of LCMS Position on Abortion

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has always
insisted that the Bible teaches that life begins at conception and that
abortion is sinful killing; and

WHEREAS, The November 2000 Jesus First published an article
by an LCMS clergyman who has long supported abortion; and

WHEREAS, The steering committee of Jesus First has refused to
declare that there should be no room on the LCMS clergy roster
for any pastor who supports abortion; and

WHEREAS, Such prominent members of LCMS congregations
as former Illinois Senator Paul Simon and Minnesota Governor
Jesse Ventura have indicated that they support abortion and not the
LCMS position on abortion; therefore it be

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS urge LCMS
President A. L. Barry to ask former Senator Paul Simon and Min-
nesota Governor Jesse Ventura to accept the LCMS scriptural po-
sition on abortion; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS declare that
no supporter of abortion should be allowed to remain on the LCMS
clergy roster.

Trinity, New Haven, MO; Redeemer, John Day, OR

To Remove Pro-Abortion Pastors
from LCMS Roster

WuereaS, Some on the 2001 clergy roster of the LCMS have
supported abortion; and

Wuereas, The LCMS has recognized that the Bible teaches that
life begins at conception and that abortion is sinful killing; and

WHEREAS, The December 2000 issue of Jesus First published
an article by a pastor on the LCMS clergy roster who promoted
abortion; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS declare that
no pastor or professor who supports abortion be allowed to remain
on the LCMS clergy roster.

Concordia, Fair Haven, MN; Redeemer, John Day, OR

6-05

To Avoid Use of Term “Sanctity of Life”’

WHEREAS, God is the giver of all life, as we confess in Luther’s
Small Catechism: “TI believe that God has made me and all crea-
tures, that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all
my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of
them”; and

WHEREAS, The value God places on human lives is often called
the “sanctity of life” by “prolife” groups in America; and

WHEREAS, The American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language defines “sanctity” as “(1) Saintliness or godliness. (2)
Sacredness. (3) The quality or condition of being considered sa-
cred; inviolability,” and it defines “sacred” as “(1) Dedicated to or
set apart for the worship of a deity. (2) Made or declared holy”;
and

WHEREAS, Many prolife groups take the terms “sanctity” and
“sacred” literally to mean without sin (as, for example, Focus on

2001 Convention Workbook