ALC Social Statement on Human Sexuality

ALC Social Statement on Human Sexuality

WHEREAS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the product of the merger of The American Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in America, and Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches; and

WHEREAS, The American Lutheran Church adopted a Social Statement in 1980 entitled Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior; and

WHEREAS, this statement may serve the ELCA in its current discussions of human sexuality and of the specific questions of whether to bless same-sex unions and whether to ordain gay and lesbian persons living in committed relationships, and

WHEREAS, The American Lutheran Church’s Social Statement Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior includes a section on homosexuality that reads as follows:

1. We note the current consensus in the scientific community that one’s preferred sexual behavior exists on a continuum from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual and that homosexual behavior takes a variety of forms. We believe it appropriate to distinguish between homosexual orientation and homosexual behavior. Persons who do not practice their homosexual erotic preference do not violate our understanding of Christian sexual behavior.

2. This church regards the practice of homosexual erotic behavior as contrary to God’s intent for his children. It rejects the contention that homosexual behavior is simply another form of sexual behavior equally valid with the dominant male/female pattern.

3. We have reviewed the challenges to the traditional interpretations of those scripture passages that appear to proscribe homosexual behavior. We are not convinced by the evidence presented. Among passages cited as requiring interpretations different from the traditional interpretation are: Genesis 18:16—19:29; Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:10. While we see no scriptural rationale for revising the church’s traditional teaching that homosexual erotic behavior violates God’s intent, we nonetheless remain open to the possibility of new biblical and theological insights.

4. We agree that homosexually-behaving persons need God’s grace as does every human being. We all need the care and concern of the congregation. We all need opportunity to hear the Word, to receive the sacraments, to accept the forgiveness God offers, to experience the understanding and the fellowship of the community of Christ. We all need the power of the Holy Spirit for ethical living sensitive to our own individual situations. So saying we nevertheless do not condone homosexual erotic behavior. Nor do we condone idolatry, pride, disrespect for parents, murder, adultery, theft, libel, gossip, or the other sins known in our circles. The sacrifice God finds acceptable from each of us is "a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart." Then he can answer our prayer for a "clean heart . . . a new and right spirit within me." (See Psalm 51.)

5. Truth, mercy, and justice should impel members of congregations of The American Lutheran Church to review their attitudes, words, and actions regarding homosexuality. Christians need to be more understanding and more sensitive to life as experienced by those who are homosexual. They need to take leadership roles in changing public opinion, civil laws, and prevailing practices that deny justice and opportunity to any persons, homosexual or heterosexual. We all need recognition and acceptance as human beings known to and loved by God.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod affirms the understanding of homosexuality and homosexual behavior as articulated by The American Lutheran Church in its Social Statement Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the South Dakota Synod be encouraged to study The American Lutheran Church Social Statement Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior as a part of their deliberation on any proposed ELCA statements on sexuality; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the South Dakota Synod be encouraged to review their attitudes, words, and actions regarding homosexuality: 1. To be more understanding and more sensitive to life as experienced by those who are homosexual; 2. To take leadership roles in changing public opinion, civil laws, and prevailing practices that deny justice and opportunity to any persons, homosexual or heterosexual; and 3. To recognize and accept gay and lesbian persons as human beings known to and loved by God; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod asks the Task Force for ELCA Sexuality Studies and the ELCA Church Council to affirm the understanding of homosexuality and homosexual behavior as articulated by The American Lutheran Church in its Social Statement Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior and to adopt no changes in current ELCA policies regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod memorializes the 2005 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to affirm the understanding of homosexuality and homosexual behavior as articulated by The American Lutheran Church in its Social Statement Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior and to adopt no changes in current ELCA policies regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod Assembly direct the South Dakota Synod Council to forward this resolution to the to the Task Force for ELCA Sexuality Studies and the ELCA Church Council and that the South Dakota Synod Bishop communicate our position to the ELCA Conference of Bishops.

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