The deafening and disabling silence that has surrounded the abuse of women and children is being broken. We now know that overwhelming numbers of women and children in our churches and communities are being battered, raped, emotionally and psychologically abused, and physically and sexually assaulted. The abuse occurs in communities of every racial composition and every economic status, in rural areas as well as cities, in families adhering to every religion and to no religion. Silence will no longer shield us from our complicity in the violence nor from our failure to overcome it.
Once considered the property of their parents, children are now acknowledged to be full human beings in their own right, but beings to whom adults and society in general have special obligations.
Thus, we support the development of school systems and innovative methods of education designed to assist every child toward complete fulfillment as an individual person of worth. All children have the right to quality education, including full sex education appropriate to their stage of development that utilizes the best educational techniques and insights.
Our position on pornography is clear: We oppose all forms of pornography. We support laws that protect women and children and incarcerate those who are purveyors in the “industry” that instigates and expands child and adult pornography activities.
BACKGROUND:
The first reference to abortion in official proceedings of the General Conference came in 1968, when a study document titled “Church and Family” was adopted. This did not have the force of a pronouncement by the denomination but indicated the direction in which the church was moving.
We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We believe that God’s blessing rests upon such marriage, whether or not there are children of the union. We reject social norms that assume different standards for women than for men in marriage. We support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church – 2004. Copyright 2004 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.
We affirm that sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons. We call everyone to responsible stewardship of this sacred gift.
Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.
We deplore all forms of the commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children and for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for abused children.
Ann L. Hanson
Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice
February 20. 2009
It took just a few hours for the uproar to begin. Shortly after the proposed Economic Stimulus package was released to the press, the attacks began. And, the very first issue that exploded in the news involved a provision that would allow states, thru Medicaid, to provide “family planning services and supplies” to low income women. The cost was estimated to be $550 million over the next 10 years and, when compared to the entire package, amounted to a small fraction of the total cost.
FIDELITY AND INTEGRITY IN ALL COVENANTED RELATIONSHIPS
WHEREAS, the Eighteenth General Synod established the responsibility of the church’s recognized leaders to embody the good news of the gospel, and to be above reproach, blameless, of unimpeachable character;
WHEREAS, the Manual on Ministry specifies in the Ordained Minister’s Code, I will not use my position, power, or authority to exploit any person, and I will live a life which honors my commitments to my family;
WHEREAS the Bible affirms and celebrates human expressions of love and partnership, calling us to live out fully that gift of God in responsible, faithful, committed relationships that recognize and respect the image of God in all people; and
WHEREAS the life and example of Jesus of Nazareth provides a model of radically inclusive love and abundant welcome for all; and
WHEREAS we proclaim ourselves to be listening to the voice of a Still Speaking God at that at all times in human history there is always yet more light and truth to break forth from God’s holy word; and
Whereas, in the words of the Apostle Paul, we know that “the whole creation has been groaning in travail” and we, too, feel these pains as we struggle to grow in our understanding of human sexuality;
Whereas, the actions of General Synods 10, 11, 14, 15 16 and 17 have supported human rights of all persons in church and society, regardless of sexual orientation;
