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Where Are the Lutherans?

Abstract: Other U.S. religious leaders take a stand on anti-homosexuality proposal.

On December 7, a press release titled Top U.S. Christian Leaders Denounce Ugandan "Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009" was released by Faith in Public Life. The subject of the release was a statement, signed by more than 65 American religious leaders, speaking out against Uganda's proposed Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009.
The statement reads in part:
As followers of the teachings of Christ, we must express profound dismay at a bill currently before the Parliament in Uganda. The "Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009" would enforce lifetime prison sentences and in some cases the death penalty for homosexual behavior, as well as punish citizens for not reporting their gay and lesbian neighbors to the authorities.
As Americans, some may wonder why we are raising our voices to oppose a measure proposed in a nation so far away from home. We do so to bear witness to our Christian values, and to express our condemnation of an injustice in which groups and leaders within the American Christian community are being implicated. We appeal to all Christian leaders in our own country to speak out against this unjust legislation...
Regardless of the diverse theological views of our religious traditions regarding the morality of homosexuality, in our churches, communities and families, we seek to embrace our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as God's children worthy of respect and love. Yet we are painfully aware that in our country gays and lesbians still face hostility and violence. We recognize that such treatment degrades the human family, threatens the common good and defies the teachings of our Lord -- wherever it occurs.

A separate statement was issued on December 4 by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of the Episcopal Church.
As released on December 7, no one representing a Lutheran organization had signed the statement.

(Vol. IV, iv December 9, 2009 )

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