One of the Resolutions considered by the Northern Illinois Synod [ELCA] at its 2008 Assembly was a “Call for Moral Deliberation”. The many “Whereas” statements preceding the “Resolves” focused on:
The Call of the Gospel to be peacemakers, to repent and to “transform” the world, not “conform” to it.
The repeated role of biblical prophets to “speak truth in love” to the powers & principalities.
Reminder of Bonhoeffer’s instructions to the church to be an active voice for peace.
Reminder of the ELCA social statement For Peace in God’s World and our call to be a “setting of freedom and respect where believers of different perspectives may learn from one another”.
There were two (2) “Resolves”. One was for the Synod, in Assembly, encourage members to enter moral deliberation & discussion concerning our nation’s foreign & military policy. The other was to encourage persons, congregations, clusters et al to become involved in studying a document known as “The Kairos Statement: A Time to Speak and a Time to Act” as well as resources from the ELCA.
There is little doubt that the Kairos Statement takes a definite stand against the U.S. policies as they proceeded to pre-emptive war against Iraq, of the use of brutal treatment of our enemies, and of the growing military budget that necessitates a lower budget for peaceful needs.
That “lack of neutrality” exceedingly bothered some members. There were no discussions as to whether or not we were/are bothered by:
the deceit which led us into a war against Iraq
the loss of more than 4,000 lives and the injuries/trauma to over 25,000 US soldiers
the loss of as many as 100,000 Iraqi lives and untold numbers injured
a cost of billions at a time when our nation and our states are having difficulty funding programs of service to the poor, the homeless, and those in need of healthcare.
Moral deliberation will involve us in “taking sides”! Neutrality, when confronted by evil, [whether it is the evil of 9/11 or the evil of bombing Iraq pre-emptively] is the worst response a Christian can make! It is the “luke-warmness” that Jesus found offensive.
Both the Republican and the Democrat candidates for President are stating that this is a time for change.
Effecting those changes will require the involvement of all citizens in a “moral deliberation” that will be passionate! The congregations and the pastors of the ELCA could play a critical role in these deliberations – provided we are willing to risk moving beyond neutrality.
Dare to believe in your values. This will be a process during which women and men of all persuasions will come from opposing stances. Trust that we can discuss those differences and remain committed to the community of faith to which we have been called.
Let’s have no more calls for neutrality.
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