Conscience and Conversation: A Study during the Reconsideration of the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust Survey

2.What activities, discussions, or lessons in the study were especially helpful in understanding how Lutherans can faithfully agree and disagree on moral issues?

3.How well does the section of the social statement on pages 18-21 describe how Lutherans can faithfully disagree with each other on moral issues?

4.How helpful is the Lutheran concept of conscience or "bound conscience" in the social statement in describing how ELCA Lutherans agree and disagree on topics of sexuality?

5.How well did the activities help clarify the Lutheran concept of conscience in the social statement?

6.(Optional) Based on the activities in the study, what would you add to the description of conscience in the social statement?

7.(Optional) Based on the activities in the study, what would you delete from the description of conscience in the social statement?

8.Which of the four positions of conscience described on pages 20-21 of the social statement most accurately reflects your beliefs?

On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that same-gender sexual behavior is sinful, contrary to biblical teaching and their understanding of natural law. They believe same-gender sexual behavior carries the grave danger of unrepentant sin. They therefore conclude that the neighbor and the community are best served by calling people in same-gender sexual relationships to repentance for that behavior and to a celibate lifestyle. Such decisions are intended to be accompanied by pastoral response and community support.

On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that homosexuality and even lifelong, monogamous, homosexual relationships reflect a broken world in which some relationships do not pattern themselves after the creation God intended. While they acknowledge that such relationships may be lived out with mutuality and care, they do not believe that the neighbor or community are best served by publicly recognizing such relationships as traditional marriage.

On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that the scriptural witness does not address the context of sexual orientation and lifelong loving and committed relationships that we experience today. They believe that the neighbor and community are best served when same-gender relationships are honored and held to high standards and public accountability, but they do not equate these relationships with marriage. They do, however, affirm the need for community support and the role of pastoral care and may wish to surround lifelong, monogamous relationships or covenant unions with prayer.

On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that the scriptural witness does not address the context of sexual orientation and committed relationships that we experience today. They believe that the neighbor and community are best served when same-gender relationships are lived out with lifelong and monogamous commitments that are held to the same rigorous standards, sexual ethics, and status as heterosexual marriage. They surround such couples and their lifelong commitments with prayer to live in ways that glorify God, find strength for the challenges that will be faced, and serve others. They believe same-gender couples should avail themselves of social and legal support for themselves, their children, and other dependents and seek the highest legal accountability available for their relationships.

Prefer not to answer

Do not know

None of the above