To State Religious Objection to Government Interference with Parents’ Duty

WHEREAS, The Small Catechism confesses that God has created and given to each person “my body” (SC II, Second Article); and

WHEREAS, The body of the baptized is the temple of the Holy Spirit and belongs not to government or its institutions (such as schools [public or private]), but to God (1 Cor. 6:19); and

WHEREAS, The Fourth Commandment, as explained in the Large Catechism, places all authority over a child on the parents of that child, so that we confess, “For all authority flows and is born from the authority of parents. Where a father is unable alone to educate his … child, he uses a schoolmaster to teach the child. … So all whom we call ‘masters’ are in a place of parents and must get their power and authority to govern from them” (LC I [Fourth Commandment] 141–142); and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures and the Catechism do not limit parental authority to a particular age, but state that God has given authority to parents over all children who live under their roof; and

WHEREAS, The doctrine of the two kingdoms affirms prescriptive ly that while the government bears the sword for civil order (Rom. 13:4), it allows the kingdom of the left no jurisdiction relative to the responsibilities God has given to parents in the spiritual and moral upbringing of their children; and

WHEREAS, Government in our society—at federal, state, and local levels—has attempted or may attempt to step between children and their parents (impeding the parents' duty to raise their children in the faith and life of the Christian confession) in various ways, including but not limited to:

• laws that mandate vaccines for children even without parents’ approval;

• laws that allow, recommend, or give children sex change operations or medical procedures for “transitioning” minors without parents’ approval;

• laws that permit minors to get an abortion without parents’ approval;

• laws that label parents who refuse their minor children vaccines, sex change operations and procedures, or abortions as engaging in child abuse;

• laws that remove children from the custody of parents who refuse their minor children vaccines, sex change operations and procedures, or abortions;

• school policies that teach children various anti-scriptural social agendas without parents’ approval;

• school policies that mandate vaccines for children even without parents’ approval;

• school policies that encourage children to “transition,” use gender-confusing language, or introduce sexual or gender identities that do not conform with the child’s birth sex without parents’ approval;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District boldly, unequivocally, and plainly state its objection on the grounds of religious belief and constitutionally protected religious liberty, to any federal, state, or local law or mandate, and any school policy that imposes the government’s will over the parents’ duty to raise their children or that aids the minor child’s will to be kept secret from the parents;

and be it further

Resolved, That the English District state plainly its willingness and readiness to support, come to the aid of, and speak in defense of any parents within sister congregations of the district who face such interference, whether by providing pastoral care, connecting them with legal or educational resources,or advocating publicly and lawfully on their behalf; and be it further

Resolved, That the district urge Synod in convention and each district to boldly, unequivocally, and plainly state their unconditional agreement with this religious objection to government interference in Christian parents’ duty to raise their children in the faith and life of the Christian confession; and be it further

Resolved, That the district urge the Synod and each district to boldly, unequivocally, and plainly denounce any teachings of any church bodies that seek to advocate for or tolerate the government interfering with parents’ duties in raising their children in the Christian faith and life; such teachings are un biblical, unchristian, false, opposed to God, and worthy of condemnation; and be it further

Resolved, That the district urge member congregations and all their families to benefit their children with the use of Lutheran schools or Lutheran home schools/hybrid cooperatives, or to become involved in their local public school government, that the parents may safeguard their God-given responsibility, and that the children may be protected from such government overreach and godless agendas and may be raised in the proper fear of the Lord;

and be it finally

Resolved, That the English District encourage member congregations and pastors to equip parents through ongoing catechesis and public teaching regarding their God-given vocation, their rights under the law, and the spiritual care of their households.