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Marriage Law and the Protection of Religious Liberty: Implications for Congregational Policies and Practices

August 17, 2016: HILLIARD, OHIO — As promised in the wake of the June 2015 Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, the North American Lutheran Church is providing additional resources to assist its congregations. The resources are included in a single document, “Marriage Law and the Protection of Religious Liberty: Implications for Congregational Policies and Practices.” There are four parts to the document:

  • Doctrine on Marriage and Sexuality
  • employment practices
  • facilities use policies
  • policies related to parish schools

We urge all congregations to review the document and take appropriate steps to protect their religious liberties. Here are links to the document:

PDF

Word doc

 

Letter of Counsel regarding Marriage and Religious Freedom

December 2015: The NALC’s Commission on Theology and Doctrine has approved a Letter of Counsel, written by Dr. Robert Benne, relating to marriage and religious freedom in light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision of June 26, 2015, in which in a 5-4 decision it held that: The Fourteenth Amendment requires a State to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-State. Regardless of whether we agree with the decision that finds a right to same-sex marriage in the Constitution, the fact is that now it is the law of the land. (…read more)

DOWNLOAD the Letter of Counsel

 

Marriage Law and The Protection of Congregations’ Religious Liberty

June 26, 2015: The North American Lutheran Church today issued guidance to pastors and congregations in light of the recent decision by the US Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges. NALC pastors and congregations may be concerned about potential implications for their ministries. While that concern is very understandable, we urge NALC members not to panic. From a legal point of view, it is unlikely that church bodies, congregations, or pastors will be compelled to violate their religious beliefs by participation in the formalizing of same-sex unions. (…read more)

DOWNLOAD “Marriage Law and the Protection of Congregations’ Religious Liberty”

DOWNLOAD cover letter from Bishop John Bradosky and General Secretary Mark Chavez

DOWNLOAD a bulletin insert of the cover letter