Posted on 06/02/2010 11:18:51 PM PDT by Dengar01
Messages and Statements Statement Regarding the Israeli Military Interception of Gaza Flotilla from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran World Federation, organizations that are deeply engaged with and committed to the Lutheran Christians and all persons living in Palestine and Israel, I express my deep sadness regarding events surrounding the flotilla seeking to deliver humanitarian goods to Gaza. We deeply regret the deaths and injuries that resulted when Israeli forces intercepted the boats. Our thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and the families of those killed or otherwise harmed during this incident. We note that this tragic incident occurred on the first day of the World Council of Churches’ World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel.
This incident raises many questions that must be answered. We therefore call for a full, international, and independent investigation into this matter.
While we condemn all violence in the resolution of political disputes, this incident raises a number of questions related to the just use of force. It is not clear that, in this incident, all alternatives were explored prior to the use of military force. One tenet of the just use of force is proportionality, a principle I raised during my meeting with the chief rabbis of the State of Israel during Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli incursion into Gaza which lasted from December 2008 to January 2009. This incident provides an example of how proportionality is an ongoing concern related to Israeli military action against civilians, both Palestinians and internationals.
The attempt to deliver humanitarian materials to Gaza via the flotilla highlights the ongoing blockade of Gaza with all its consequences for the 1.5 million people living there. Israel’s blockade must be fully lifted, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1860. While some humanitarian aid has been allowed to reach the people of Gaza, the economy, particularly the agricultural and fishing sectors, has been devastated. Basic goods including seeds and seedlings, plastic piping, irrigation supplies, fishing nets, engine spare parts, veterinary drugs and cement are restricted.
The World Health Organization has documented the serious deterioration in Gaza’s health system due to restrictions for patients and medical personnel attempting to travel into or out of Gaza. The welfare of the people of Gaza and the safety of Israelis will be served by opening the monitored border crossings in a secure manner for aid, trade and commerce.
This tragic event demonstrates the urgency of achieving a just peace. One role of religious leaders, including the churches, is to strengthen those voices working for peace, rather than yielding to the clamor of extremism, as we seek a just peace beneficial for all persons in the region.
We urge that this incident not interrupt the proximity talks now being conducted through the Obama administration. Instead, we expect that this incident will intensify on all sides the commitment to serious negotiations that will lead to a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America President, Lutheran World Federation Bishop's Messages
For a complete listing by date of messages and statements made by Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, visit Recent Messages.
Or select a message from the following categories:
* General Messages * Messages to Rostered Leaders * Holy Day Messages * Monthly Column in The Lutheran
For messages from the presiding bishop made prior to 2008, visit Archived Messages, 2001-2007.
Our Faithful Mission Together: As members of the ELCA, we are sent to do God's work with our hands. We are called to engage in difficult conversations that sometimes reveal our differences. Our Faithful Mission Together As members of the ELCA, we are sent to do God's work with our hands. We are called to engage in difficult conversations that sometimes reveal our differences.
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Check out the WELS - www.wels.net
We’ve been members for about 15 years and like it very much.
I tried like 3 ELCA churchs and was completely disappointed to find a solid theme of “social justice”.
My daughters friend invited us to visit the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod church (WELS). Our first visit we knew this was our new home. Completely Bible based church, no politics, no environmental preaching and no social justice. Pure teaching of the Bible.
You would do well to check for one in your area, here is the main web site:
Your exactly right.
But you missed WELS, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. They are aligned with ELCA and ALC also.
I'm compassionate with their position, but I debate them no longer. They remain in support of apostacy, grasping at this straw and that....as if their "staying on" will somehow reverse the tide. At some point, foolishness, obstinacy and fear of change set in and I'm no longer compassionate....only very, very sorry for them.
I'm life-long Missouri Synod, thank God....but if this church is ever taken over by the social re-organizers also, I won't hang around out of misguided sentimentalism. God always points the way....and the way is found in the Word, not in the manifestos of the ELCA.
Leni
I am a former ELCA Lutheran who was received into the Orthodox Church in 2008.
The was after nine years of being associated with a Serbian Orthodox community—I demonstrated with the Serbs against clinton’s war in 1999, and a year or two later began attending Divine Liturgy once a month at the Serbian Orthodox Church. I stayed in the ELCA to fight the horrible liberal changes even though I was basically Orthodox already.
But once the ELCA adopted that horrible “liturgy” that made Father, Son, and Holy Spirit “optional”, and once my Serbian brothers and sisters set me straight that the ELCA was a lost cause, I sought reception into the Orthodox Church. I joined the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) for language reasons, but still go to the Serbian Orthodox Church once a month.
Since I became Orthodox, the ELCA adopted that “gay” resolution, and my former congregation is going from bad to worst, with “gays”, “transgendereds”, and all sorts of heresy. They suck up to the muslims, too, which I can’t stand!!!!
There are a variety of opinions about Israel in the Orthodox Church, from supporting it to being against it. However, NO Orthodox Church makes political pronouncements or “social statements”. Those are believed to be earthly things, while the Church is all about the Kingdom of God. And NO Orthodox Bishop or church body goes on a rant-fest against Israel, or fawns all over the muslims like Hanson and the Episcopalians do.
And if you are Lutheran, the Orthodox Church—founded by the Apostles—is your true home. Please try to learn about the relationship of the Lutheran and Orthodox Church, and come to Divine Liturgy (in English) at an Orthodox Church to begin learning about it.
Chicagoland is an Orthodox center—lots of good OCA and Serbian churches, among others. You should have no problems finding an English-language Orthodox Church in your area. Attend Divine Liturgy and ask lots of questions after the service at the coffee hour. “Come and see!”
I appreciate the support from all of you and sad to see all of the other horror stories from you who are ex-ELCA.
God makes it pretty clear in the Bible that those who stand with Israel are blessed and those who don't? Well we all know the answer to that.
..joined Presbyterian PCA...
..but from what I know & have seen of Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod....you should be happier there.
Our granddaugher goes to a Missouri synod private school, and we love it there.
The mainline churches are increasingly apostate...
..thus you have PCA Presbyterian birth after leaving mainline Presbyterian USA many many years ago...etc.
I exchanged emails with my pastor and he supports this bum and the anti-Israel agenda of the ELCA. Yeah, this is the last straw.
I didn't join the church because I'm Lutheran I consider myself non-denominational.
I would rather not go to a church than be associated with this garbage.
The saddest thing of all is my church has a member pop. of 5000 give or take. I won't be at church this week but I can bet you 100 bucks that they will "pray" for the "poor hamas victims".
I am gonna have to network with some Chicagoland FReepers.
Oh I tried to email the bishop to tell him off and I couldn't (it kept saying error) I want to call the guy and scream my head off.
When I emailed my pastor I used that Scripture along with the Scripture that says Israel is God's chosen people. His response? "Even God's people need to be held accountable". I want to go absolutely berserk.
This was the ultimate slap in the face for conservative church goers at this church.
I think the fact that my church posted this on its website is what made me sick to my stomach.
It's like the old adage of "be careful who you associate with", well this is that in spades.
“But you missed WELS, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. They are aligned with ELCA and ALC also.”
WELS is in no way aligned with ELCA and ALC.
“ELCA Ecumenical Lutheran Council of America”:
Um...huh?
I think it was defined in the article - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Isn’t this exactly the same release as you pinged yesterday?
But you missed WELS, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. They are aligned with ELCA and ALC also.
____________________________________________________________
As a WELS member, I have not found that to be the case. I am extremely happy with the WELS. If you have info that I don’t, I’d like to know about it. Can you expand on your comment?
You see, personally I could never contribute a dime to a Church with that attitude. I just couldn't support that thinking.
Yes we are suppose to tithe, but we also carry the responsibility of what that money goes for. Does it go to enable the Church to help the poor, or does it help them buy property, gas stations, etc?
I use to belong to a church that became so big, so rich, but can't find the time to baptize anyone. And if you can finally reach the person that is suppose to handle that, you find that baptisms happen in a kiddy pool in the parking lot. After a long search that was my last attempt at finding a home church.
Sorry, did not mean that.
I belong to WELS, would highly recommend.
WELS is NOT aligned with ELCA
Yeah, nice to hear that I am not the only FReeper who has had a horror story dealing with the ELCA. The sad thing is they are systematically brainwashing so many people who aren’t up to date on the news as all of us are.
I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken. WELS is in no way aligned with the ELCA. It is the most conservative of Lutheran synods. Frankly, more conservative in some ways than my LCMS. I was a member of WELS for some years, having been confirmed and my first marriage being in that Synod. The ALC no longer exists post 1988. It was then when the ALC, LCA (Lutheran Church in Amereica) and Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches merged to form the ELCA.
I had no idea that the heads of the ELCA were as left wing psychotic as they are.
I have one more event at church and then I'm outta there!
The event is getting my keyboard back :)
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