Text of: 1180-65

The Committee recommends concurrence as amended as follows:

Move the proposed paragraph 1 to be the second paragraph. The entire proposed ¶65.II.M would read:

We believe that suicide is not the way a human life should end. The church has an obligation to see that all persons have access to needed pastoral and medical care and therapy in those circumstances that lead to loss of self-worth, or suicidal despair, and/or the desire to seek physician assisted suicide. We encourage the church to provide education to address the biblical, theological, social and ethical issues related to suicide, including United Methodist theological seminary courses focusing on issues of suicide.

A Christian perspective on suicide begins with an affirmation of faith that nothing, including suicide, separates us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39). Therefore, we deplore the condemnation of people who take their own lives, and we consider unjust the stigma that so often falls on surviving family and friends.

We strongly encourage pastors to address this issue through preaching and teaching. We urge pastors to provide pastoral care to attempters,... remove the oppressive stigma around suicide. The church does not endorse the enlistment of medical providers, who are charged to cure and to care, to assist people in taking their own lives.

Delete the last paragraph.

 

 

 

 

Info About Calendar Item 1180-65

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