Difference between revisions of "American Baptist Churches, USA"

Revision as of 14:39, 18 May 2016

Official Website: http://www.abc-usa.org/

Beginning of Life

Abortion

Official Statement:

"As American Baptists we oppose abortion, as a means of avoiding responsibility for conception, as a primary means of birth control, without regard for the far-reaching consequences of the act. We denounce irresponsible sexual behavior and acts of violence that contribute to the large number of abortions each year. We grieve with all who struggle with the difficult circumstances that lead them to consider abortion. Recognizing that each person is ultimately responsible to God, we encourage men and women in these circumstances to seek spiritual counsel as they prayerfully and conscientiously consider their decision. We condemn violence and harassment directed against abortion clinics, their staff and clients, as well as sanctions and discrimination against medical professionals whose consciences prevent them from being involved in abortions." (American Baptist Resolution Concerning Abortion and Ministry in the Local Church^[1])

Contraception

Official Statement:

"Beyond our own household of faith, we call upon: Government, industries and foundations to support the research and development of safe, reliable, affordable and culturally appropriate methods of contraception for both men and women worldwide." (American Baptist Resolution Concerning Abortion and Ministry in the Local Church^[2])

Healthcare & Medicine

Access to Healthcare

Official Statement:

"In accordance with our 1975 Policy Statement on Health Care, we believe that health care should be viewed as a right, not a privilege, and that the basic goal for health care reform should be universal access to comprehensive benefits. Therefore, as American Baptists, we urge the President and Congress to work together expeditiously to enact a major program of health care reform which will extend health care coverage to every person in the United States. We seek a national health care system that: serves everyone in the United States; provides comprehensive access, care, and services is sensitive to the needs and rights of health workers, patients, and their cultures; promotes health awareness, disease prevention, nutrition, fitness, and safety; slows the upward spiral of costs; draws financial support from the broad base of the entire nation; reduces unnecessary administrative costs; reduces inappropriate medical procedures." (American Baptist Resolution on Health Care for All^[3])

Conscience Issues

Official Statement:

"As American Baptists we declare the following rights to be basic human rights, and we will support programs and measures to assure these rights: 1. The right of every person to choose a religion freely, to maintain religious belief or unbelief without coercion; the right for communities of faith to meet together to engage in public worship, to witness publicly to others, to speak prophetically from religious conviction to government and society, to live out religious beliefs, and to be free from governmental intrusion, coercion, and control in the free exercise of conscience and religion. . . 6. The right to follow the dictates of conscience, to express dissent individually or in groups to prevailing ideas, governments and institutions." (American Baptist Policy Statement on Human Rights^[4])

End of Life

Extraordinary Measures

Official Statements:

"We affirm and support a person’s choice for, and the family’s involvement in end of life care. We encourage advance planning commonly known as living wills and the development of communication plans for palliative care, curative care, hospice, pain management and spiritual and emotional support. We also support the person’s choice as to the place for end of life care: home, hospital or health care facility. These choices and decisions have been made more complex with the advances made in recent years in expensive, sophisticated medical technology. Such technology has prolonged lives under circumstances which in earlier times would have resulted in death. In too many cases extraordinary measures have been taken to sustain a life with no apparent regard for the quality of that life nor for the wishes and desires of the dying person, and the family. In the worst scenario the extra years of the life saved may be spent in a chronically debilitated, demented or even unconscious condition." (American Baptist Resolution on Death and Dying^[5])

Issues of Human Dignity & Discrimination

Disability Ethics

Official Statement:

"Therefore, the General Board of the American Baptist Churches calls uponmAmerican Baptists to recognize persons with disabilities as integral members of the Christian fellowship and to take immediate affirmative action to enable their full inclusion in society and in local congregations and in church organizations, in such ways as the following: Exploring ways to increase sensitivity and awareness of the importance of being in ministry with persons with disabilities; Seeing that church and public facilities provide adequate and accessible accommodations which invite and assist persons with disabilities in being involved with church life; Exploring ways in which churches individually and ecumenically can enlarge opportunities for employment, training, education and service; Enabling concerned and disabled persons to link connect with local, state and national support networks." (American Baptist Resolution on the Church and Ministry with Persons with Disabilities^[6])

Notes

1. ↑ http://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Abortion-and-Ministry-in-the-Local-Church.pdf
2. ↑ http://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Abortion-and-Ministry-in-the-Local-Church.pdf
3. ↑ http://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/HEALTH-CARE-FOR-ALL.pdf
4. ↑ http://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/HUMAN-RIGHTS.pdf
5. ↑ http://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Death-and-Dying.pdf
6. ↑ http://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Disabilities-The-Church-and-Persons-with.pdf