POSITION PAPER ON NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

WHEREAS:     We as Lutheran Christians are called by Christ to “love your enemies, do well by those who hate you, praise those who curse you, pray for those who revile you” (Luke 6:27-28), and

WHREAS:       The Lutheran Student Movement-USA has resolved to commit ourselves to Peace and Nuclear Disarmament (1982); and

WHEREAS:     The pastoral letter, “The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response” of the U.S. Roman Catholic Bishops is the first major effective church position implemented on the issue; and

WHEREAS:     By supporting the Nuclear Arms Race we place our faith in the capability of violent destructive force to preserve peace and the continued existence of this planet rather than placing our faith in the power of Jesus Christ as Lord and Protector of History and Creation: and

WHEREAS:     Such misplaced faith is idolatrous and such worship of military prowess displaces the central worship of Jesus Christ;

THEREFORE, Be it affirmed that the Lutheran Student Movement-USA go on record as recognizing the Nuclear Arms Race as idolatrous and direct contradiction of all Christian Principles (including but not limited to Article 16 of the Augsburg Confession concerning justifiable war); and

         Be it further affirmed that LSM-USA reaffirm the 1982 position on Nuclear Disarmament; and

         Be it further affirmed that LSM-USA applaud the courage of the Roman Catholic Bishops for taking a stand on disarmament and encourage the writing of letters of affirmation to Roman Catholic and Lutheran Church officials; and

         Be it further affirmed that LSM-USA recognize the right of all groups or persons to engage in acts of non-violent civil disobedience to demonstrate their own personal convictions on the issue.

SPONSORED BY:

         University of So. California

         California State University at Long Beach

         Fullerton College