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 to God and God alone (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, Government in our society—at federal, state, and local levels—may in various ways attempt to step between children and their parents in defiance of scriptural exceptions allowing the government to do so (impeding the parents’ duty to raise their children in faith and life of the Christian confession); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Northern Illinois District boldly, unequivocally, and plainly state its objection on the grounds of religious belief to any federal, state, local law, mandate and any school policy—excepting those granted to such by Scripture, such as abuse or neglect according to scriptural definitions—that infringes with the parents’ duty to raise their children or that aids the minor child in circumventing parental authority;and be it further

Resolved, That the district state plainly its willingness to recommend resources for any parents within sister congregations of the district who face the challenge of government laws or school policies negating parents’ duties to raise their children in the fear of the Lord; and be it further

Resolved, That the district commend parents for their work in raising their children in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4) so that they might be found faithful though surrounded by teachings and influences contrary to the Gospel; 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, Lutheran home schools, and other opportunities for Christian education, 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 district urge the 2026 Synod convention to unequivocally and plainly state its objection on the grounds of religious belief to any federal, state, local law, mandate, and any school policy—excepting those granted to such by Scripture, such as abuse or neglect according to scriptural definitions—that infringes with the parents’ duty to raise their children or that aids the minor child in circumventing parental authority and to provide guidelines for parents as it relates to this topic.