Editors Note: Because of their particular timeliness and relevance, starting with this issue of SBC LIFE, and continuing in the next few issues, we will include a sampling of the resolutions passed at the Southern Baptist Convention.
RESOLUTION NO. 1
ON EDUCATING CHILDREN
WHEREAS, Children have been entrusted to parents by the Lord and represent our nation's future and our spiritual legacy; and
WHEREAS, God has given parents the responsibility for the upbringing and education of our children (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-7); and
WHEREAS, Many negative influences are attempting to transform the moral foundation of the culture by reshaping the core values of our children, undermining historical truth, and promoting promiscuity, violence, and other immoral behaviors; and
WHEREAS, Children are vulnerable to marketing and entertainment campaigns that redefine truth, morality, and family relationships; and
WHEREAS, Homosexual activists and their allies are devoting substantial resources and using political power to promote the acceptance among schoolchildren of homosexuality as a morally legitimate lifestyle; and
WHEREAS, Educational institutions are often an effective gateway to children's hearts and minds; and
WHEREAS, Parents have access to textbooks, curricula, special programs, teachers, and other school personnel, giving them tremendous power to effect change in schools; and
WHEREAS, All citizens have the right and responsibility to participate in local, state, and national elections and to use their influence to effect change; and
WHEREAS, Involved parents are the ultimate influence in the lives of their children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, June 21-22, 2005, urge parents and churches to research and monitor the entertainment and educational influences on children; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge parents and churches to exercise their rights to investigate diligently the curricula, textbooks, and programs in our community schools and to demand discontinuation of offensive material and programs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge our churches to assist and support parents as they investigate community schools and as they train and disciple their own children; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend godly teachers and students who feel called by God to take a stand for Christ in secular schools as a light shining in the darkness; and be it further
RESOLVED, That as citizen Christians we commit to hold accountable schools, institutions, and industries for their moral influence on our children; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we urge Christian parents to fully embrace their responsibility to make prayerful and informed decisions regarding where and how they educate their children, whether they choose public, private, or home schooling, to ensure their physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with a goal of raising godly men and women who are thoroughly equipped to live as fully devoted followers of Christ.
RESOLUTION NO. 2
ON STEM CELL RESEARCH
WHEREAS, The Bible teaches that all human life is sacred (Genesis 1:26-27); and
WHEREAS, Humans have a sacred trust to care for the most vulnerable among us (Matthew 25:31-46); and
WHEREAS, Current trends in stem cell research promise great benefit to some and threaten great peril to others; and
WHEREAS, Stem cell research using non-embryonic stem cells offers tremendous hope for millions of people and has already produced many successful results in humans, such as relieving the symptoms of juvenile diabetes, reversing Parkinson's disease symptoms, regenerating heart tissue, and restoring feeling and mobility to people with spinal cord injuries; and
WHEREAS, Embryonic stem cell research currently requires the destruction of human embryos; and
WHEREAS, Embryo-destructive research has not produced any positive results or cures; and
WHEREAS, Even if it does, it is never morally acceptable to prey on some humans to benefit others; and
WHEREAS, We do not believe that the issue of world competition in embryo-destructive research justifies our nation's entry into this barbaric activity; and
WHEREAS, The United States House of Representatives has voted to provide federal funding for human-destructive research on embryos being stored at fertility clinics; and
WHEREAS, The United States Senate is preparing to vote on this issue; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, June 21-22, 2005, wholeheartedly support efforts to find cures and therapies for human maladies that respect the sanctity of all human life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we strongly support stem cell research that does not require the destruction of human embryos or put them at risk in obtaining human stem cells; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we deplore embryo-destructive research, since it kills human beings in their earliest stages of development; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express our deep disappointment in those members of the United States House of Representatives who voted in favor of embryo-destructive research for their abject failure to protect the lives of these innocent human beings; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend those members of the United States House of Representatives who voted against embryo-destructive research for their courageous stand on behalf of these voiceless human beings; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the United States Senate to reject any legislation that calls for embryo-destructive research, regardless of the origin of the embryos, beyond the cell lines which are currently approved for federally funded research; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend the president for his commitment to veto any bills that call for federal funding of embryo-destructive research beyond the cell lines he has already approved; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptists to consider ways they can become involved in life-affirming activities, including adopting embryos being stored at fertility clinics.
