wfn.org | Taiwan Presbyterians Instruct Voters on Presidential Choice

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Title:Pastoral Letter for the Forthcoming Presidential Election

Special from Taiwan Church News, 15th March 2004

Translated by David Alexander

Pastoral Letter for the Forthcoming Presidential Election from the
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan

According to Biblical teaching, Christians are witnesses to the justice,
peace
and joy of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the political, economic,
cultural and social lives of their nations (Romans 14:7)  Christians have the
duty to be good citizens of their lands

Taiwan's 2004 presidential and vice presidential election will demonstrate
Taiwan's national future as a democratic and free nation.  We call for all
Christians to discern the crisis of the times and through prayer and pure
hearts cast sacred ballots. Take this opportunity to spread the message of
truth among friends and relatives as an act of Christian faith and testimony.
Vote for presidential and vice-presidential candidates who manifest evidence
of the following three qualifications.

1) Recognize Taiwan and China as separate countries across the Taiwan Straits

Vote for candidates: who proclaim Taiwan and China as two separate and
independent countries, one on each side of the Taiwan Straits; who assert the
right of Taiwan to participate in international organizations and enter the
United Nations; who view Taiwan to be a legitimate nation, full of goodness,
beauty, faith, hope and love.

2) Promulgate a Constitution for Taiwan by means of a National Referendum

Vote for candidates: who emphasize a new constitution for Taiwan and support
this nation by its true name; who recognize the sovereignty of the nation as
over Taiwan, Peng-hu and associated islands; who offer guarantees for the
self-government of aborigines and constitutional protection of their
equality;
who call for protection of the safety of weak and minority groups within this
society with attendant economic justice and sharing of resources.  The
candidates you choose should respect the national referendum as the process
for ratification of the new constitution.

3) High moral character

Vote for those: who have made significant contributions to the progress of
democracy, freedom and human rights in Taiwan; who in the course of history
have shown a high moral character, cheerful advancement, and can encourage
the
people of Taiwan towards the future full of faith; who have good family
relationships and serve as good role models.

Taiwan's selection of a president and vice president is a domestic affair. It
should be conducted free from foreign pressure or armed threat. The people of
Taiwan can clearly judge how to move forward, and will choose a national
government demonstrating that democratic freedoms and independence have truly
taken root in this land..

Passed by The 7th session of the executive committee of the 48th General
Assembly on 18 December 2003

Signed by  Moderator	       Wang Kuang-syh

	  General Secretary	William J. K. Lo

For More Information: www.pct.org.tw

		      gs@mail.pct.org.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages

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