What the United Methodist Church Thinks About . . . Death Penalty, Abortion, Fertility & Infertility
As one might expect, these topics had people on both sides of the fence. If you want to read some of the official statements that the UMC makes on these issues, click here:
What the UMC Thinks About . . . Death Penalty, Abortion, Fertility & Infertility
Here is a brief summation for each of these topics:
Death Penalty:
The UMC is against it. Why? Because, in its finality, it “denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings” (The Book of Discipline of the UMC: 2008, ¶ 164). As I like to say, the death penalty says that God’s grace is amazing enough to save a wretch like me, but not that poor sap in prison.
Many, of course, will quote the Hebrew Scriptures (aka the Old Testament to Christians) saying, “The Bible says, ‘an eye for an eye,’ so capital punishment is okay.” Yet, as I once heard a theologian say, “When the Bible and Jesus disagree, Jesus trumps the Bible.” That applies here. Take a moment to read Matthew 5:38-42. Jesus quotes that same passage but follows it with, “BUT I say to you . . . turn the other cheek.” Of course, properly interpreted, that does not mean that they get off scott free, but it also does not mean we get to act in like manner to the perpetrator. Jesus is calling us to a higher standard. Likewise, Romans 12:9-21 also reminds us that it is God’s job to avenge, not ours.
Plus, knowing that we are called to the ministry of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:16-21), the UMC recommends restorative justice, which
grows out of biblical authority, which emphasizes a right relationship with God, self, and community. When such relationships are violated or broken through crime, opportunities are created to make things right. . . . Through God’s transforming power, restorative justice seeks to repair the damage, right the wrong, and bring healing to all involved, including the victim, the offender, the families, and the community. The Church is transformed when it responds to the claims of discipleship by becoming an agent of healing and systemic change. (The Book of Discipline of the UMC: 2008, ¶ 164)
Abortion:
The UMC, being “bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child,” “cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection” (The Book of Discipline of the UMC: 2008, ¶ 161). Likewise, unless the mother’s life is in danger with no viable alternative or there are severe abnormalities with the unborn child, which would be incompatible with meaningful life, the church opposes partial birth abortions.
Yet, the church feels it is important to be in ministry to women who have had an abortion, helping them cope with the stress following the procedure. In addition, the UMC desires to provide ministries that might prevent unwanted pregnancies as well as working with agencies to help provide viable alternatives to abortion – especially adoption.
Fertility / Infertility:
Article 8003 of The Book of Resolutions of the UMC: 2008 states:
A human embryo, even at its earliest stages, commands our reverence and makes a serious moral claim on us, although not a claim identical to that of a more developed human life. For this reason we should not create embryos with the intention of destroying them, as in the creation of embryos for research purposes. Neither should we, even for reproductive purposes, produce more embryos than we can expect to introduce into the womb in the hope of implantation.
Thus, the UMC is in support of providing means for couples to have children so long as the means are not abused, creating more embryos than are needed.
Questions:
How do you respond to the summaries above? Where does your response come from? How do you support it?
What other options might we have to the difficult decisions discussed above?
