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Citizenship

A Statement of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1952

1952: Adopted by Board of Social Missions. Reported in Minutes, 18th Biennial Convention, ULCA, p. 792.

The Christian stewardship of life involves responsibilities as citizens. In a democracy one of the greatest privileges and obligations is that of exercising voting rights.

In the national and state elections of 1952 many important issues relating to foreign policy, civil liberties, international cooperation, economic life, rearmament, and honesty and responsibility in government will be decided. These decisions will affect the freedom, justice, and security of our nation. Christian love as a law of justice and fellowship commands us to act responsibly on these issues n the political campaigns and in our voting.

As a Board of Social Missions we call upon our people and congregations to study these issues and to vote with an understanding that God calls us to faithfulness in this area of life just as in our work, our homes, and our churches.

Please note
The document(s) on this page were voted on by a church body which preceded the founding of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Any such statement has the status of a "historical document." These documents may guide the ELCA and inform the work of the Office of the Presiding Bishop and act as policy when sufficient agreement exists and the ELCA has not adopted another statement on the same subject. However, social statements of predecessor church bodies to not constitute ELCA policy, as they have not been voted on by a Churchwide Assembly. When quoting or referring to these documents, please take care to make the non-binding nature of this relationship clear.

For current social policy of the ELCA, click here.