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AS REGARDS MYSELF
AND OTHERS
4. HUMAN RIGHTS
A/330. As a faith community, we believe that human beings are created
in the image of God and therefore have inherent dignity and intrinsic
value. This conviction forms the foundation of our approach to the
principle of human dignity. Human life in any of its stages is sacred
to us as Christians, because of our confidence that life exists
in relation to God. Thus all human life must be valued, respected
and protected through all its stages, whether nascent, mature or
senile.
We affirm the intrinsic value and inherent dignity of every human
being regardless of gender, ethnicity, age or disability. We confess
our sinful human tendency toward prejudice and turn from it. We
call on people everywhere to respect the worth of all persons and
to actively seek justice for all.
5. THE SANCTITY OF
HUMAN LIFE
A/331. Our convictions about the inherent worth of human life form
the foundation of our approach to bioethics. These complex bioethical
issues involve religious and moral values, as well as medical and
legal realities. Therefore, Christians may not determine their rights
and privileges only by the extent of the permissiveness of the law
of the state or the possibilities of safe medical procedures.
A/331.1 Supremacy of God.
God is sovereign: the world and all that is in it belongs to God.
Though God's eternal purposes may never be thwarted by human action,
we are still free and responsible to make God-consistent choices
in matters of life and death. Christians live in the reality that
human beings are created for an eternal purpose. As we attend to
human suffering, we acknowledge that the ability of medical technology
to end human suffering is finite.
Therefore, we accept our responsibility to use this technology with
wisdom and compassion; honoring God, who is ultimately supreme.
A/331.2 Abortion.
The intentional destruction of human life is murder when any degree
of malice or selfishness accompanies the decision and act. Therefore,
induced abortion is morally unjustifiable except when the act has
been decided upon by responsible and competent persons, including
Christian and professional counsel, for the purpose of saving the
life of a pregnant woman.
Abortion, when it serves the ends of population or birth control,
personal preference of convenience, and social or economic security,
must be considered as selfish and malicious. Therefore, the intentional
abortion of nascent life from conception on, except when extreme
circumstances requires termination of a pregnancy to save the life
of the pregnant woman, must be judged to be a violation of God's
command, "You shall not commit murder."
We recommend that Free Methodists offer compassionate alternatives
and long-term care to women considering abortion. We recommend similar
long-term care for all persons impacted by previous abortions. We
also urge continuing support for those involved in parenting and
in the adoption and fostering of children.
While firmly opposed to abortion, we recognize that those whose
views contrary to ours should be treated with respect and dignity
and that God's forgiveness is offered to all. (Back
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A/331.3 Euthanasia.
There is no justification for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.
It is understood that a terminally ill person's request that life
not be sustained by heroic measures, does not constitute euthanasia
or physician-assisted suicide. We recognize that it is permissible
to use painkillers and other medications, which carry the risk of
shortening life so long as the intent is to relieve or otherwise
benefit the patient, rather than to cause death. We further recognize
the responsibility of medical professionals to alleviate pain within
these parameters. Christians must discourage the assumption that
some lives are not worth living. We believe that there is no such
thing as a "useless" life. The value and worth in our
lives rests primarily in our relationship with a God who loves us.
A/331.4 Reproductive Technology.
Reproductive technologies generate a large number of ethical, medical,
legal and theological questions even as they offer hope. The guiding
principle, that all human life must be valued, respected and protected
throughout all its stages must be carefully and consistently applied
to every new development. A Christian theology of family (A/341.1)
must also inform these decisions. Simply because technology makes
a procedure possible and civil law defines it as legal, does not
mean a procedure is morally acceptable.
A/331.5 Other Ethical Dilemmas.
These biblical principles, which guide our approach to bioethics
will need to be applied on an ongoing basis to other ethical dilemmas
rising from advances in medical technology. Such ethical dilemmas
may include but not be limited to: the allocation of finite resources,
organ transplantation, end-of-life concerns, genetic engineering
and testing, gender identity issues and others.
A/331.6 Suffering and Sovereignty.
Though God's love is steadfast, he has chosen to not protect us
from suffering. God meets us in our suffering, to comfort us, to
shape a Christ-like character within, and to make us instruments
of his healing. Chronic disease, diminished physical capacity or
ongoing disability do not constitute the end of life and need not
compromise one's trust in God.
For the Christian death is not the end of life, but the transition
into eternity. Therefore, physical death is not the ultimate enemy,
but part of our journey. God's love sustains us in our suffering.
He ministers to us personally and through the healing environment
of Christian community. Divine wisdom in the face of suffering comes
to us through scripture, prayer, godly counsel and the work of the
Holy Spirit. As we are comforted, we are called to extend God's
comfort to those who suffer.
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6. WAR AND PEACE
A/332.
- 1. We recognize the sovereign authority of government and the
duty of all Christians to reverence the power, to obey the law,
and to participate righteously in the administration of lawful
order in the nation under whose protection they reside (Matthew
22:21; Romans 13:1-7). Members of our church should bear the responsibilities
of good citizenship, and they have the right to act in the enforcement
of law and the defense of the peace in accord with the conscience
of each person.
- 2. We believe, however, that military aggression is indefensible
as an instrument of national policy and strategy (Isaiah 2:3-4).
The destruction of life and property, and the deceit and violence
necessary to warfare are contrary to the spirit and mind of Jesus
Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 5:44-45). It is, therefore, the
duty of all Christians to promote peace and goodwill, to foster
the spirit of understanding and mutual trust among all people,
and to work with patience for the renunciation of war as a means
to the settlement of international disputes (Romans 12:18; 14:19).
- 3. It is our firm conviction that none of our people should
be required to enter military training or to bear arms and that
the consciences of our individual members should be respected
(Acts 4:19-20; 5:29). Therefore, we claim exemption from all military
service for those who register officially with the church as conscientious
objectors to war.
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7. CIVIL OATHS
_ A/333. Vain and rash swearing is forbidden by our Lord (Matthew
5:34-37; James 5:12). However, we hold that the Christian religion
does not prohibit the taking of an oath where it is required by
a public official. In every case, the Christian must speak in justice
and in truth (Exodus 20:16; Ephesians 4:25).
8. PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A/334. The Free Methodist Church views the education of its youth
as a parental responsibility (Deuteronomy 6:5-9; Ephesians 6:4).
Part of that responsibility may be delegated to either public or
Christian day schools.
The church gives moral support to the public school system. However,
we reserve the right of our children and youth to be exempted from
participating in dancing, assignments, and other school-related
activities which conflict with the moral and social values held
by the denomination. When such conflicts arise, we ask that the
students' academic standing not be in jeopardy, but when necessary
other suitable assignments be substituted.
The church is concerned that concepts of first origins shall have
completely fair consideration in our public schools. Instructional
materials are available that permit a scientific treatment of the
several concepts of origin, including special creation. We, therefore,
expect that the concept of special creation (that all basic life
forms and life processes were created by a supernatural Creator)
will be presented in, or along with, all courses, textbooks, library
materials, and teaching aids dealing in any way with the subject
of first origins.
We believe that materials used in classrooms should reflect historical
accuracy, as in the description of a country's religious roots.
We reject historical revisionism that repudiates or distorts religious
influences. Accordingly, we will work to promote legislation and
school management policy to encourage history course development
and the selection of materials which present these religious themes
as they occur in reliable historical sources.
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9. DISCIPLINE OF THE
BODY
A/335.
- 1. The Scriptures instruct us to honor the body as the temple
of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). One attribute of the
Spirit's indwelling presence is self-control (Galatians 5:23).
- 2. Christians should be characterized by balance and moderation.
Extreme patterns of conduct must be avoided. They are also to
keep themselves free from addictions or compulsions. For example:
watching television, drinking coffee, and eating sweets are not
evil in themselves, but when used to excess are injurious to one's
health and witness.
- 3. Christians are to be characterized by a disciplined style
of life. They should not indulge selfishly in the pleasures of
this world. To the contrary, they are to live simply in service
to others, and practice stewardship of health, time, and other
God-given resources.
- 4. The Free Methodist Church is committed to help every Christian
attain such a disciplined life. Although unhealthy habits are
not easily broken, believers need not live in such bondage. They
find help through the work of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the
counsel and support of other Christians.
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10. MISUSE OF DRUGS
A/335.1.
- 1. Christians find that life is full, abundant, and free in
Jesus Christ (John 8:36; 10:10). Therefore, our people abstain
from whatever damages, destroys, or distorts His life in them.
Illicit drugs are prime offenders. Marijuana, cocaine, and heroin,
widely used in our time, cause untold damage to people and relationships.
Such drugs restrict personal development, damage the body,and
reinforce an unrealistic view of life.
- 2. Our people abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages (Mark
12:30-31) because Christ admonishes us to love God with all our
being and our neighbor as ourselves. Alcohol, a legalized drug,
is damaging to individuals, families, and society. It is unpredictably
addictive and its destructive effects cannot be fully measured.
Where it is used, it leaves a trail of broken marriages, family
violence, crime, industrial loss, ill health, injury, and death.
As concerned Christians, our people practice abstinence for the
sake of health, family, and neighbors. Moreover, we see the adverse
social consequences as so pervasive that we seek by abstaining
to make a united social witness to the freedom Christ gives.
- 3. Our people refrain from the use of tobacco because Christians
are to treat their bodies as sacred trusts. It is a major cause
of a variety of cancers and other diseases, as well as an expensive
and offensive addiction. Free Methodists take seriously the words
of Paul, the apostle, "Do you not know that your body is
a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received
from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore
honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- 4. We caution our people against indiscriminate use of prescription
and over-the-counter drugs because drug dependency of any kind
inhibits fullness of life in Christ. Though the therapeutic value
of such substances may be great, their potency, proliferation,
and easy accessibility require that Christians be vigilant against
their misuse.
- 5. We counsel our congregations to be understanding and supportive
toward those who come to Christ with problems of addiction. We
believe in Christ's power to deliver (Romans 6:13; Galatians 6:2).
But we urge our people to recognize fully the addictive power
of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and to give whatever helps
and support are needed while new Christians seek full deliverance.
- 6. As a further evidence of an awakened conscience, our people
refrain from the cultivation, manufacture, or sale of any of these
harmful substances.
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11. STEWARDSHIP
OF POSSESSIONS
A/336. The Scriptures teach the privilege and responsibility
of private ownership. Christians hold title to possessions under
civil law, but regard all they have as the property of God entrusted
to them as stewards. Although they may accumulate goods they lay
not up for themselves treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-20; Luke
12:16-21), but give liberally for the needs of others and the ministry
of the church (2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6-13).
12. GAMBLING
A/336.1. Gambling contradicts faith in God who rules all the affairs
of His world not by chance but by His providential care. Gambling
lacks both the dignity of wages earned and the honor of a gift.
It takes substance from the pocket of a neighbor without yielding
a fair exchange. Because it excites greed, it destroys the initiative
of honest toil, and often results in tragic addiction. Government
sponsorship of lotteries only enlarges the problem. Because of the
evils it encourages, we refrain from gambling in all its forms for
conscience sake, and as a witness to the freedom we have in Christ.
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13. ENTERTAINMENT
A/336.2.
- 1. General Guidance.
Many forms of entertainment (television, videos, movies, recorded
music, printed material, electronically distributed media, etc.),
though not inherently evil, may have content that arouses fleshly
impulses, rather than nurturing life in the Spirit.
In an increasingly secular society, Christians must carefully
evaluate every form of entertainment in light of biblical principles
(Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:1-3, Galatians 5:13-26), avoiding
every form of evil, while honoring Christ in everything (Colossians
3:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:22).
- 2. Dancing.
In the Psalms, we are encouraged to praise God with songs, clapping,
shouting, instruments, and dance. Christians throughout the ages
have glorified God with bodily motions.
However, many modern forms of dance contribute to the life of
the flesh rather than the life of the Spirit. The music is frequently
designed to arouse sexual excitement, the atmosphere is conducive
to drug and alcohol use, and dance steps and postures may be sexually
provocative. We hold that such activities and their environments
do not honor Christ and are contrary to the admonition of God's
Word to avoid every kind of evil.
3. Evaluate all entertainment.
Questions such as the following should, therefore, be considered
regarding any form of entertainment: Is this activity compatible
with my witness as a Christian? Is it consistent with a conscience
responsive to the Holy Spirit? Will participation or observation
expose me to unnecessary temptation? Are my motives pure?
We expect Free Methodists to evaluate all forms of entertainment
in the light of biblical standards for holy living, and to abstain
from those that do not meet such standards.
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14. PORNOGRAPHY
A/336.3. Pornography awakens lust in the heart. It depicts and encourages
indecent and deviant sexual conduct such as adultery, bestiality,
incest, rape, sodomy, and child molestation. Its effects are a progressive
decay of moral values, beginning with addiction, followed by a desensitizing
of conscience, and tending toward the wanton acting out of illegitimate
or perverted sexual conduct, often victimizing the innocent and
unsuspecting.
For society, pornography is a virulently degenerative force. It
damages and destroys. For Christians, pornography is an abomination
which must be opposed by any legitimate means.
15. SIMPLICITY OF
LIFE
A/337. While customs and man-made standards change from age to age
throughout the world, we recognize that there are certain scriptural
principles which should govern Christians in their attitudes and
conduct. Whatever we buy, use, or wear should help us in winning
others to Christ, edifying the body of Christ, and glorifying Christ
(1 Corinthians 10:31-33).
Those biblical principles which should govern Christians in their
choice and purchase of all possessions include simplicity, modesty,
purity, propriety, humility, and economy. Christians should avoid
extravagance, endeavoring to be clean, tidy, attractive, modest
representatives of Christ (1 Timothy 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:1-5).
The principles of simplicity of life should be considered when we
purchase or build or furnish a home, buy a car, select clothes,
shop for food, and in all other matters.
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16. EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE
A/338.
- 1. All persons have the right to gainful and meaningful employment
irrespective of sex, race, color, national origin, or creed (Romans
10:12).
- 2. We recognize the right of employees to organize for the purpose
of seeking in a proper way their betterment in labor, industry,
and business. Oath-bound secret pacts or acts of violence designed
to violate or defend these rights cannot be condoned.
- 3. We also recognize the right of the individual to remain independent
of organization. It is our firm conviction that none of our people
should be required to become members or fee payers of any labor
union or professional organization whose activities and policies
violate the individual member's religious values and convictions
as expressed in the Book of Discipline of the Free Methodist Church.
Therefore, on the basis of conscience, we claim exemption from
membership or fee paying for those members who find their religious
convictions in conflict with the activities and policies of a
particular labor unior or similar organization.
- 4. In labor relations, justice is an indispensable ingredient
in the Christian's code of ethics. It is a part of God's nature
and of His norm for us. The Christian concern for justice is a
peculiar one; it is primarily a concern to do justice and only
secondarily a concern to obtain justice. this norm is equally
applicable to employer and employee (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians
3:22-4:1).
- 5. The Christian should not view management and labor as ultimately
hostile opponents. Distrust and hostility should not be brought
either to the place of work or to the negotiating table. There
is no place in the Christian ethic for exploitation, for using
people as a means to a selfish end, or for seeing them primarily
as economic units. The adversary system for rigid confrontation
should not be used, but a problem-solving approach is supported
and implemented.
- 6. Our people should endeavor to make their witness effective
where they work, remembering that a Christian workman is responsible
first to God and then to the employer and the organization (Matthew
7:12; Colossians 3:17).
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