FALL OF THE ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)

Introduction to the ELCA “Conscience-bound Beliefs”

ELCA Social Statement “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust”

This social teaching statement was amended and adopted by the eleventh biennial Churchwide Assembly on August 19, 2009, at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In response, this church draws on the foundational Lutheran understanding that the baptized are called to discern God's love in service to the neighbor. In our Christian freedom, we therefore seek responsible actions that serve others and do so with humility and deep respect for the conscience-bound beliefs of others. We understand that, in this discernment about ethics and church practice, faithful people can and will come to different conclusions about the meaning of Scripture²⁵ and about what constitutes responsible action. We further believe that this church, on the basis of "the bound conscience,"²⁶ will include these different understandings and practices within its life as it seeks to live out its mission and ministry in the world.

This church recognizes that, with conviction and integrity:

·         On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that the scriptural witness does not address the context of sexual orientation and lifelong loving and committed relationships that we experience today. They believe that the neighbor and community are best served when same-gender relationships are honored and held to high standards and public accountability, but they do not equate these relationships with marriage. They do, however, affirm the need for community support and the role of pastoral care and may wish to surround lifelong, monogamous relationships or covenant unions with prayer.

·         On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that the scriptural witness does not address the context of sexual orientation and committed relationships that we experience today. They believe that the neighbor and community are best served when same-gender relationships are lived out with lifelong and monogamous commitments that are held to the same rigorous standards, sexual ethics, and status as heterosexual marriage. They surround such couples and their lifelong commitments with prayer to live in ways that glorify God, find strength for the challenges that will be faced, and serve others. They believe same-gender couples should avail themselves of social and legal support for themselves, their children, and other dependents and seek the highest legal accountability available for their relationships.

Although at this time this church lacks consensus on this matter, it encourages all people to live out their faith in the local and global community of the baptized with profound respect for the conscience-bound belief of the neighbor. This church calls for mutual respect in relationships and for guidance that seeks the good of each individual and of the community. Regarding our life together as we live with disagreement, the people in this church will continue to accompany one another in study, prayer, discernment, pastoral care, and mutual respect.  

MARTIN LUTHER ON “CONSCIENCE”

The concept of being bound by conscience goes directly back to Martin Luther, the great Reformer who established what became known as the Lutheran tradition. On more than one famous occasion, Luther publicly took his stand and held his ground, claiming that his conscience was bound by the Word of God. He most famously made this case as he stood on trial before the Diet of Worms on April 18, 1521. Before the impaneled church leaders and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Luther declared:

“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason …, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God.” (Martin Luther)

"It is the nature of all hypocrites and false prophets to create a conscience where there is none, and to cause conscience to disappear where it does exist."  (Martin Luther)

“God wants our conscience to be certain and sure that it is pleasing to Him. This cannot be done if the conscience is led by its own feelings, but only if it relies on the Word of God.” (Martin Luther)

Thyatira – The false church that followed a seductive prophetess

Revelation 2:20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman--that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet--to lead my servants astray. She is encouraging them to worship idols, eat food offered to idols, and commit sexual sin.”

 

ELCA stance on Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender  

Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Mark S. Hanson, is a strong advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender (LGBT) community.  The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is suggesting that the Bible isn’t the last word on homosexuality. 

“The understanding we have of homosexuality today does not seem to be reflected at all in the context of the biblical writers.” “When we come to the question of how we read the Bible, in response to homo or place of gay/lesbian in life and ministry. Let’s bring the question to the text, but to the text others turn to, that leads them to say, ‘The questions of homosexual orientation that I hear asked and the understanding we have of homosexuality that we have today does not seem to be reflected at all in the context of the Biblical writers, so let us bring our understanding of sexual orientation that has been opened up to humankind over the years to this conversation.’ Therefore, he said, Lutherans should consider more modern views on sexual orientation.

Since the ELCA's Church wide Assembly in Minneapolis voted to allow congregations to call and ordain gays and lesbians in committed monogamous relationships to serve as clergy, Bishop Hanson has been releasing several videos in support of the LGBT community. This was posted on the ELCA website:

ELCA Bishop, the Rev. Robert Rimbo of the Metropolitan New York Synod signed a statement which says, “We, the undersigned, urge the New York State Legislature to protect families in New York State by extending marriage to same-sex couples.”

A letter from 150 Iowa pastors was delivered to Iowa lawmakers today stating their support for same-sex marriage. "As clergy, we stand together in support of civil marriage equality for ALL families. We ask for your support of civil marriage equality and ask that you oppose any resolution or attempt to diminish the marriage rights of Iowa’s families."

Here are the ELCA signers of the letter –

Rev. Charles Ager; ELCA (retired); Strawberry Point Rev. Paul S. Bengtson; ELCA (retired); Storm Lake Rev. Ramona S. Bouzard; St. Paul Lutheran Church; Waverly (ELCA) Rev. Dr. Walter C. Bouzard; Waverly (ELCA) The Rev. Dr. Sean D. Burke; Luther College; Decorah (ELCA) Rev. Dennis Dickman; ELCA (retired); Waverly The Rev. Travis M. Fisher; St. Mark Lutheran Church; Davenport (ELCA) The Rev. Andrew G. Gangle; Peace Lutheran Church; Adel (ELCA) Rev. Randall E. Gehring; Bethesda Lutheran Church, ELCA; Ames Pastor John Hagberg; St. Mark Lutheran Church; Sioux City (ELCA) Rev. George Hanusa; ELCA (retired); Windsor Heights Rev. Gerald Iverson; Associate in Ministry; ELCA (retired); Sioux City Pastor Steven M. Jacobsen; First Lutheran Church; Decorah (ELCA) The Rev. Scott A. Johnson; Lutheran Campus Ministry at Iowa State University (ELCA); Ames Rev. R. Paul Johnston; Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA); Sioux City The Rev. Dr. Kathryn A. Kleinhans; Wartburg College; Waverly (ELCA) Pastor Jim Klosterboer; Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church; Elkader (ELCA) Rev. Mark W. Kukkonen; Intentional Interim Pastor; St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church; Cedar Rapids (ELCA) Pastor Vernon H. Naffier; Faculty, GrandView University; ELCA; Ankeny

Rev. Peter T. Nash, PhD; Professor of Religion & Liberal Studies; Wartburg College; Waverly (ELCA) Rev. Delwyn L. Olivier; Augustana Lutheran Church; Sioux City (ELCA) Rev. Michael J. Schmidt; Christ Lutheran/St. Peter; LeMars (ELCA) Pastor Victoria Shepherd; Denver (ELCA) Rev. Diana Jacobs Sickles; ELCA (retired); Des Moines Pastor Sarah Stadler-Ammon; Denver (ELCA) The Rev. Rachel Thorson Mithelman; St. John’s Lutheran Church; Des Moines (ELCA) Rev. Beverly J. Wolff; St. John Lutheran Church; Cushing (ELCA) Rev. Dr. David Cline, Evangelical Church in America: Polk City (ELCA)

 This is Nadia Bolz-Weber. She is a pro-gay and a former alcoholic/drug addict. Nadia Bolz-Weber is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, an ELCA Lutheran emerging church in Denver Colorado that describes itself as a group of folks figuring out how to be a liturgical, Christo-centric, social justice oriented, queer inclusive, incarnation, contemplative, irreverent, ancient - future church with a progressive but deeply rooted theological imagination.  Nadia blogs at Sarcastic Lutheran and at Jim Wallis' God's Politics blog.

 

See a sample of one her many liberal feminist sermons>

You might think to yourself. Ok, ok. This is just an isolated incidence of immoral liberalism intrusion into the Lutheran Church? Well if that is the case, why is Presiding Bishop Hanson finding time to hold co-speaking engagements with Nadia-Bolz Weber such as the “Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World”, an ELCA conference for communicators, campus ministry staff and chaplains, and college/university students, August 11-14, 2010

 

           Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson prepares to don the t-shirt given to him by the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber

            

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson                  “radical protestants nailing sh*t to the church door since 1517"

 

The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reached a consensus March 8 on a draft proposal for a rite that would bring onto the church's official clergy roster those pastors who were ordained and are on the clergy roster of "Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM)."  Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) expands ministry opportunities for publicly-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people called to leadership in the Lutheran church as ordained pastors and rostered lay leaders. We believe that by supporting ministry by LGBTQ leaders we will change the church, and thereby, transform society to become more fully inclusive of all people.

Brach Jennings and ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

ELM has launched Proclaim, the professional community for publicly-identified LGBTQ Lutheran rostered leaders and seminarians.  This network of rostered leaders and seminarians from multiple Lutheran rosters are committed to changing church culture and transforming society through their ministry as publicly-identified LGBTQ rostered leaders. Proclaim was officially launched April 2, 2011 at a gathering of nearly 60 LGBTQ Lutheran rostered leaders, seminarians and spouses.

LIKE LIBERAL PROTESTERS & THE UNIONS- LGBT LUTHERANS “ARE WELL ORGANIZED”

Resources for LGBT Lutherans

• Lutherans Concerned is a national education and advocacy group with chapters nationwide working on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues within the church. It has a list of more than 440 LGBT-welcoming Lutheran congregations.
• Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) expands ministry opportunities for publicly-identified LGBTQ Lutheran rostered leaders who are changing the through their ministry.
• Goodsoil.org is a coalition that aims to change official ELCA policies to become more inclusive of LGBT people.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

If you would like to read an excellent study titled “Inquiry into the ELCA’s Actions and Rationale”.  The research explains in detail how liberals and pro-gay proponents were able to systematically align its pawns over the years and then stack the deck during the 2009 ELCA Church wide Assembly.

Official  “ELCA Confession of Faith”:

• This church confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe
  • Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation.
  • The proclamation of God's message to us as both Law and Gospel is the Word of God, revealing judgment and mercy through word and deed, beginning with the Word in creation, continuing in the history of Israel, and centering in all its fullness in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
  • The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God. Inspired by God's Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and announce God's revelation centering in Jesus Christ. Through them God's Spirit speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the world.
• This church accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life.

This is what Martin Luther said:

Luther wrote, "The pope boasts that the Christian Church is above the Word of God. No, this is not true! We must be pupils and not aspire to be masters, for the pupil must not be above his master." (LW. 23.231; Q. in Ibid.)

Also, "Years ago all the pope's pronouncements were called Christian truth and articles of faith, yet this was simply based on man. And then it happened that people sank into the abyss and lost everything that pertains to the Word of God and Christ. Therefore, we must now declare: 'Pope, council, and doctors, we will not believe you; but we will believe in the Divine Word." (LW. 23.297; Q. in Ibid.)

"When anything contrary to Scripture is decreed in a council, we ought to believe Scripture rather than the council. Scripture is our court of appeal and bulwark; with it we can resist even an angel from heaven - as St. Paul commands in Galatians 1(:8) - let alone a pope and a council." (LW. 32.81; Q. in Wood, 126)

Luther writes about the Old Testament, "I beg and really caution every pious Christian not to be offended by the simplicity of the language and stories frequently encountered there, but fully realize that, however simple they may seem, these are the very words, works, judgments and deeds of the majesty, power and wisdom of the most high God." (LW 35.236; Q. in Wood)

"The Christian reader should make it his first task to seek out the literal sense, as they call it. For it alone is the whole substance of faith and Christian theology; it alone holds its ground in trouble and trial." (LW. 9.24; Q. in Wood, 164)

Luther also said that one. . . "should take pains to have one definite and simple understanding of Scripture and not to be a wanderer and vagabond, like the rabbis, the Scholastic theologians, and the professors of law, who are always toiling with ambiguities." (LW. 8.209; Q. in Ibid.)

"Among Christians the rule is not to argue or investigate, not to be a smart aleck or a rationalistic know-it-all; but to hear, believe, and persevere in the Word of God, through which alone we obtain whatever knowledge we have of God and divine things. We are not to determine out of ourselves what we must believe about him, but to hear and learn it from him." (LW. 13.237; Q. in Wood, 120)

'I do not reject them. But everyone, indeed, knows that at times they have erred, as men will; therefore, I am ready to trust them only when they give me evidence for their opinions from Scripture, which has never erred.' (LW. 32.11; Q. in Wood, 125)

'I have learned to do only those books that are called the Holy Scriptures the honor of believing firmly that none of their writes has ever erred. All others I so read as not to hold what they say to be truth unless they prove it to me by Holy Scripture or clear reason.'" (Epistolae, 82; Q. in LW. 32.189; Q. in Wood, 125;

This is what God says in the Bible:

Leviticus 18:22 - Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.

Romans 1:26-27 - Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

ELCA stance on Feminism & Idolatry

The fifth annual "Faith and Feminism Conference" taking place Nov. 11–13 is being hosted by the Ebenezer Lutheran Church in San Francisco, which bills itself as "herchurch."  Among the scheduled participants is Loreon Vigne, high priestess of Isis Oasis – a temple, retreat and animal sanctuary Vigne founded in 1978 in Geyserville, Calif.   Also speaking at the conference is Mary Streufert, director for Justice for Women at ELCA's headquarters in Chicago.

Ebenezer Lutheran Church Homepage:

Feminism - A movement and theory for the economic, social, political, and religious equality, rights, and dignity of all wo/men.  It is focused on the struggle of wo/men against domination, exploitation, oppression, and dehumanization.

This is Pastor Megan Rohrer, the first openly transgender Lutheran pastor ordained in the United States.

This particular ELCA Lutheran church in San Francisco heavily promotes a female identity for God, with a giant banner hanging from its purple exterior declaring "God/dess loves all her children."

ELCA stance on Illegal Immigration

Bishop Hanson has not been shy about his views on allowing illegal immigrants to cross our borders and then raid our nation’s services. Here is one of his first letters concerning the issue in 2010. (Note: He also includes a version in Spanish)

Time for Immigration Reform

A pastoral letter from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson to rostered leaders

version en español

July 13, 2010

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

The time has come for immigration reform in the United States. Yes, the issues are complex and not easily resolved. It is understandable that people are wary of engaging this politically and emotionally charged issue……

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) are committed to work toward comprehensive [immigration] reform that balances respect for the law with the recognition of due process and respect for humanitarian principles." Stating that "the nation's immigration system is broken, and Congress and the administration must work together to find a just and humane solution while assuring orderly migration," LIRS identifies four foundational values for immigration reform:

·         keeping families together

·         maintaining basic human and worker rights

·         helping our new neighbors come out of the shadows

·         seeking a path to permanence for our new neighbors

The 2011 Churchwide Assembly (870-61) voted for comprehensive immigration reform, endorsed the DREAM Act, and asked the ELCA Presiding Bishop to communicate this support to President Obama and the US Congress.

 

Then there is this gem just sent out yesterday:

Letter to the President

A letter to President Obama from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

Dear leaders,

Today, I sent the following letter to President Obama and members of Congress. At the 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA, members of this church requested that we "communicate to the president and members of Congress the support of the ELCA for comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act."

This is Christ's church and I know many of us are already involved in finding ways to welcome the newcomer. Let us continue to work together to support comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.

In God's grace,

Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop

---

November 1, 2011

Dear President Obama:

As the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a member of the Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, I write to lift up the support of our national church body for comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.

We are a church that belongs to Christ, and we believe God calls each of us by name. Therefore, the ELCA has repeatedly affirmed the biblical witness and our shared experience of working with and on behalf of America’s newcomers through our ministry with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

The 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA voted overwhelmingly in support of immigration reform and the DREAM Act. The churchwide assembly is the ELCA’s highest legislative authority serving on behalf of 4.2 million baptized ELCA members.

The biblical call to hospitality also inspired Lutheran congregations across the country to discuss transforming communities into centers of hospitality through relationship building and advocacy. In addition, congregations are holding DREAM Act Sabbaths to lift up the experiences of undocumented youth and encourage broader public support for the legislation.

The need to overhaul the U.S. immigration system is becoming ever more urgent. In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, states have felt compelled to write their own immigration laws, which are often shortsighted and misguided. The ELCA needs your leadership. We urge you to continue to speak to Congress and the American public to take action on comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act and to explore other compassionate policy reforms that advance the common good.

As a national church body, the ELCA -- our congregations, bishops, schools and millions of individual members -- continues to preach, teach, advocate and work with and on behalf of America’s newcomers. This nation has achieved such greatness due to the resilience, labor and intellect of immigrants. We will roll up our sleeves and work tirelessly until this nation is once again a place of welcome and justice for newcomers.

In God's grace,

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

ELCA stance on Iraq War

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's

Statement on Iraq Situation

August 30, 2002

As presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), I am deeply concerned about any such action. In the 1995 ELCA social statement, "For Peace in God's World," we said that, as Christians, "the love of our neighbor obligates us to act to prevent wars and seek alternatives to them." This is a time to stop the use of hostile rhetoric and verbal threats, and to focus again on diplomacy.

While we are fully aware of the potential threat posed by the government of Iraq and its leader, I believe it is wrong for the United States to seek to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein with military action. Morally, I oppose it because I know a war with Iraq will have great consequences for the people of Iraq, who have already suffered through years of war and economic sanctions. I do not believe such a war can be justified under the historic principles of "just war." Further, I believe it is detrimental to U.S. interests to take unilateral military action against Iraq when there is already strong international support for weapons inspections, and when it is apparent that most other world governments oppose military action. I also believe that U.S. military action at this time will further destabilize the region.

The United States should continue its cooperation with international efforts through the United Nations to control Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The ELCA has consistently called for diplomatic efforts toward a cease-fire and a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. I would encourage the U.S. government to formulate its response to Iraq toward a similar end.

As the attention of this nation increasingly focuses on the anniversary of Sept. 11, we are reminded of the devastating impact of war. So, we continue to reject violent action and are renewed in our resolve to find peaceful, nonviolent solutions.

 

ELCA Pro-Palestinian-Antisemitism

On 31 May 2010, Israeli Shayetet 13 naval commandos boarded the ships from speedboats and helicopters in order to force the ships to the Israeli port of Ashdod for inspection. On the Turkish ship MV Mavi Marmara, boarding faced resistance from about 40 IHH activists – described in a UN report as a "separate hardcore group" – who were armed with iron bars and knives. During the struggle, nine activists were killed, and many were wounded.

The Bishop decided to scold and condemn Israel for intercepting the Gaza Flotilla it suspected of carrying weapons or illegal materials into GAZA. 

Statement Regarding the Israeli Military Interception of Gaza Flotilla

from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

 On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran World Federation, organizations that are deeply engaged with and committed to the Lutheran Christians and all persons living in Palestine and Israel, I express my deep sadness regarding events surrounding the flotilla seeking to deliver humanitarian goods to Gaza.

THE TRUTH OF THE INCIDENT:

A majority of the arrested “peace activists” who brutally attacked the Israeli soldiers with pipes, metal rods. chairs and knives are linked to terror groups including Al-Qaeda. Several are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The activists include Turks, Yemenites and Indonesians. And, many of the arrested “peace” fanatics have no identification papers.

Letter to President Obama on UN Settlement Veto and Further Peace Efforts

March 7, 2011

President Barack Obama

The White House

Washington, DC

Dear Mr. President,

We believe the current upheaval in the Arab world both reveals God’s desire for the liberation of all people from oppression (Psalm 146.7) and presents an opportunity to support moral values in advancing human rights.

In this connection, we wish to express our regret that the United States vetoed the resolution in the United Nations Security Council February 18 reaffirming that Israeli settlements activities in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, are illegal.

While we appreciate statements affirming continuing U.S. strong opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements, these must be followed by concrete measures to halt this activity. We believe bold and immediate new steps are needed now to prevent this veto from further damaging America’s credibility as a broker to help resolve this conflict that threatens the security of both peoples and denies self-determination to Palestinians.

Bishop Hanson decides to commend President Obama for his world apology tour and trip to Egypt. Obviously he feels that apologizing for the USA on Muslim soil will somehow appease radical Islamists into liking us.

Comment on President Obama’s Middle East speech

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

 May 20, 2011

I appreciate President Barack Obama’s speech on the Middle East this week. It contains principles that resonate with the principles in previous statements by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region.

The ELCA has drawn its line in the sand concerning the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. They whole heartedly support a Palestinian state while condemning Israel for settlements on their own land!

 The ELCA Stance:

• Support a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine by increased robust diplomacy and U.S. leadership in order to help the parties achieve a viable two-state solution that results in the creation of a viable contiguous Palestinian state and security guarantees for Israel. We urge your Administration to make economic development in Palestine, including the encouragement of corporate investment, a priority to ensure a sustainable solution to the conflict in the Holy Land.

Lastly, Bishop Hanson takes his strongest stance to date demanding a Palestinian state.

Office of the Presiding Bishop

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

September 19, 2011

The President

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

I write to you as a Christian leader committed to seeking a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians. Our Church’s relationship with our Christian companions in the region provides me with a constant and troubling awareness of the daily suffering that persists because of the failure to resolve the conflict. At this important juncture, the U.S. has a new opportunity to demonstrate its support for self-determination and freedom by not standing in the way of the Palestinian application for admission as a Member State of the United Nations. The objective of the initiative at the United Nations is to achieve a two-state solution, an objective we share with your administration. We agree with your statement to the UN last year that those who seek such a solution “… should reach for what's best within ourselves. If we do, when we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that will lead to a new member of the United Nations – an independent, sovereign state of Palestine, living in peace with Israel.” Even so, in the absence of direct negotiations, it is reasonable that the Palestinians and others are turning to the international forum of the UN in an effort to finally realize the goal of an independent Palestinian state. It is my hope the U.S. will act in its own best interest as well as the interest of all people in the region by not blocking the initiative to admit Palestine as a Member State of the United Nations. Thank you for your consideration. My prayers are with you and all who work for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

In God’s grace,

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson

Presiding Bishop

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Cc: The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

The Honorable Susan E. Rice

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations

Mr. Denis McDonough

Deputy National Security Advisor to the President

ELCA stance on Universal Healthcare (Obamacare)

Comprehensive health care

·         Propose a comprehensive health care plan that provides affordable access to basic physical and mental health care for all Americans, particularly those who are vulnerable. We also believe that any health care plan must address the rapid increase in the aging population and financing long term care services.

·         Assist states by increasing their Medicaid funding and by strengthening the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to allow for outreach to and coverage of uninsured but eligible persons.

 

ELCA support of Islam

• Fellowship with Muslims, Nov./Aug. 2010:

Hanson at the Town Hall Forum: How do we avoid “what we saw in response to the 9/11 wanting to build a mosque near Ground Zero and all that tragically unfolded that gave such bad testimony to the world about how we live in this country with our differences?”

ELCA leaders invited Sayyid M. Sayeed, General Secretary of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), to give an official greeting to the 2011 Churchwide Assembly. Sayeed praised Presiding Bishop Hanson for “saying truth to the difficult issues” about the suffering of the Palestinians, for speaking against anti-Muslim bigotry in the United States, and for establishing an ELCA committee on Muslim-Lutheran relations. ISNA is one of the largest Saudi funded umbrella groups whose purpose is to advance the cause of Islam in North America. The Assembly gave Sayeed three standing ovations.

ELCA stance on Global Warming

ELCA Global Warming and Energy Policy
Global warming presents a terrible and growing threat to the future of God's creation. The most adversely affected will be people living in or near poverty, particularly the more than one billion people living in extreme poverty who already lack access to basic resources, who bear the least responsibility for global warming, and who have limited resources to adapt to future climate-related perils. Increases in drought, flooding and other natural disasters are already beginning to impact core Lutheran ministries around the globe and the U.S. is one of the largest contributors to global warming.

Our church supports the principle of sustainability and policies that provide "an acceptable quality of life for present generations without compromising that of future generations." We urge you to fully support research and investment in clean, renewable energy sources that will both benefit current generations and our environment and ensure that future generations enjoy the same benefits. We urge you to act decisively in response to these challenges:

·         Re-engage the United States in the international talks on global warming and ensure full participation by the U.S. in the development and implementation of any new
agreements, leading by proposing legislation that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 20 percent by 2020 and at least 80 percent of 2000 levels by the year 2050.

·         Focus any supportive resources on low income Americans, who are hardest hit by increases in energy costs, and on increased development assistance to help poor communities around the globe adapt to changes in climate.

·         Adopt policies that encourage energy conservation in the federal government, and in American homes, communities, national transportation and distribution systems and commercial enterprises.

·         Re-direct valuable research dollars from "clean coal" technology to renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass; and from corn-based to cellulosic ethanol. New sources of energy present an important opportunity for investment and jobs in a struggling rural America.

 

ELCA support for Big Government Socialist Spending, Democrats & President Obama

Bishop Hanson has found time to interject his socialist ideas into the Federal Budget twice in the last 6 years.

First he shot off a scathing letter to then President Bush in 2005:

March 10, 2005

ELCA Presiding Bishop Questions Morality Of Federal Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

(ELCA) and president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), challenged the values reflected in the federal budget that U.S. President George W. Bush proposed for 2006. Hanson and four other church leaders met with reporters here March 8. "We are here today, in concerted action, because we believe that the Administration's proposed federal budget priorities stand in contradiction to biblical tradition. If enacted, it will be truly devastating for people living in poverty in this country and around the world,"  

Bishop Hanson plays the same old Class Warfare card that Obama has played several times this year.

The proposed federal budget reduces income by offering new tax cuts and extending old tax cuts, Hanson said. "That will

reduce revenues by $129 billion over the next five years and $1.4 trillion over 10 years. This figure rises to $1.6 trillion when the added interest payments on the debt are taken into account," he said. "Most of the tax benefits go to those with incomes more than sufficient to provide for their 'daily bread,'" Hanson said. "The domestic discretionary programs for people in need did not create the deficit, and the Administration should not be allowed to reduce the deficit solely on their backs," he said. To reduce the federal deficit, both revenue and spending must be "on the table," Hanson said.

For his outspoken socialist & liberal ideologies, Bishop Hanson was rewarded with a seat on Obama’s new faith-based council.

Friday, February 04, 2011

Obama’s new faith-based council

The White House named its new council for the faith-based office late on Friday afternoon.

Some big mainline Protestant names here, including Presiding Bishops Hanson and Jefferts Schori of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Episcopal Church, respectively.

Then this year during the heated debate on Capitol Hill over the National Debt ceiling, Bishop Hanson found time to meet with President Obama to discuss his ideas to protect the massive Government spending programs.

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 21, 2011

Obama in unprecedented meeting with ELCA presiding bishop, faith leaders

Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), along with other faith leaders, asked President Barack Obama to protect funding for programs that benefit people living with hunger and poverty in the ongoing budget debate and in any deal concerning the debt crisis.

Obama Prays With Pastors Who Tell Him To Protect the Poor

The Obama administration tripled the US deficit in a year.

The Obama deficit this year is to reach $1.299 trillion. (The Captain’s Comments)

Check who were the keynote speakers at the Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World Conference

Bishop Hanson decided to send his congratulations & advice to President Obama following the 2008 election.

Presiding Bishop’s Statement on 2008 Presidential Election - November 5, 2008

A message from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

November 5, 2008

Presiding Bishop’s Statement on 2008 Presidential Election

Americans have chosen a new president in an historic election. I congratulate Senator Obama on his election to our nation’s highest office, and express gratitude to Senator McCain for his continuing commitment to public service…..

I appeal to President-elect Obama to establish the following priorities for his administration:

·         a response to the current economic crisis with special focus on low-income people

·         a robust diplomatic effort to restore U.S. credibility abroad

·         a fulfillment of the promised U.S. funding share of the Millennium Development Goals

·         strong support for alternative energy research to end our dependence on oil and establish a new green economy

·         fair and humane immigration reform

·         serious re-engagement with a peace process for Palestinians and Israelis

I call on all members of this church to join me in committing to work with this new administration across the broad spectrum of our Lutheran partnerships and networks.

Just a reminder. Every dollar you give to the ELCA, goes to support these beliefs. Not a single one of these beliefs is aligned with HOLY SCRIPTURE and THE WORD OF GOD!!!!