wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Kieschnick addresses marriage

["LCMS e-News" <LCMSENEWS@lcms.org>]

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>10.24.2008		
>	LCMS News	 	
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>THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod  	 	
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	October 24, 2008 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 59

Kieschnick acts in support of biblical, natural marriage

LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick has been emphasizing the Synod's
strong support for natural marriage in the weeks leading up to the Nov.
4 national election.

Particular emphasis is being given to states with marriage amendments on
the ballot -- Arizona, California, and Florida. Kieschnick said Oct. 20
that he is working with district presidents and pro-family groups in
those states to make the Synod's views known and to encourage Christians
to vote.

"The importance of educating Lutherans and other Christians on marriage
issues was highlighted once again just a week ago when the Connecticut
Supreme Court struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban," Kieschnick
said. The state court's Oct. 10 decision legalized same-sex marriage in
Connecticut.

Kieschnick took note of a resolution adopted by the 2004 Missouri Synod
convention that affirmed, "on the basis of Scripture, marriage as the
lifelong union of one man and one woman." It urged members of LCMS
congregations "to give a public witness from Scripture against the
social acceptance and legal recognition of homosexual 'marriage.'"

"In the present context, we and other Christians cannot be silent, since
such silence could be viewed as acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle,"
Kieschnick said in a statement released following the court decision.

"We recognize that it is necessary to respond to this behavior with the
same love and concern with which we address all other sins committed by
human beings, including those inside and those outside the church," he
continued. "We do so without apology, yet with deep humility and
respect, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good
News of Jesus Christ when and where such repentance occurs."

Kieschnick noted that the Connecticut Supreme Court compared the rights
of blacks and whites to marry with the rights of homosexual couples to
marry.

"A darker time in history prevented the races from coming together in
marriage. To compare that reality from our nation's past to homosexual
marriage today defies comprehension," Kieschnick said.

"Interracial marriage brings men and women together in a union that does
not defy the laws of nature, while same-sex marriage goes against the
biological, anatomical, physiological, and reproductive facts of life,"
he added.

Kieschnick said, "The Connecticut decision contravenes not only the
Judeo-Christian values that have defined the morality of this nation,
but also highlights the downward spiral of moral values that is becoming
so prevalent in our culture.

"As president of the LCMS, I call upon the congregations and leaders of
our beloved Synod, based upon our deeply held principles, to take steps
to reverse this trend, specifically at this time by doing all we can to
help protect marriage as a divinely created relationship between one man
and one woman," he said.

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If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release, contact
Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org
<mailto:joe.isenhower@lcms.org>  or (314) 996-1231, or Paula Schlueter
Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org <mailto:paula.ross@lcms.org>  or (314)
996-1230.

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