Statement on Morality and the Family
Social breakdown in families, and hence in the basic structure of community, is one of our great concerns We see breakdown as the result of traditional Christian ethics and morality being replaced by a secular based ethic.
Based on a supposition that morality is merely a reflection of a particular society at a particular time, and that individuals within our society should be guided by their own desires and ordinary experience toward attaining personal fulfilment, individuals are permitted and encouraged to assert their "just" rights without any necessary acknowledgment of attendant responsibilities to their family, to their society or to God.
They are taught that right and wrong are merely subjective feelings without any fixed standards, and sin merely an outmoded notion.
In this atmosphere of permissiveness, in which traditional Christian Morality is set aside and there is no anchor except in personal desire, we see:
- The pursuit of personal fulfilment leading more often to personal tragedy;
- A rising tide of promiscuity, teenage pregnancies, adultery, marriages broken by separation and divorce;
- An increasing proportion of children growing up without the security and guidance of a mother and a father;
- More and more reports of child abuse, of sexual abuse of children and adults, and of violence in general;
- An epidemic of venereal diseases, even amongst the teenage population.
We believe the traditional family is the necessary foundation of a sound society. We endorse the report entitled "Toward a Christian Understanding of Sex, Love and Marriage" that was given general approval by the General Council of The United Church of Canada in 1960.
This report, based on the wisdom of the Bible, defines marriage as a God-blessed loving union between a woman and a man, a union that gives them "completion, fulfilment and fellowship"
It calls for faithfulness in marriage and for chastity in singleness. The self discipline and restraint it calls for are in harmony with God's will, with the well-being of society and the family, and with the integrity and ultimate happiness of individuals.
It sets a standard of behavior for an individual's well-being at all levels: emotional, physical and spiritual.
Though the 1960 statement of our General Council has not been revoked, and remains as policy of the Church, it has been forgotten by recent Councils and has been eroded by some of' their resolutions.
We remind all members of The United Church of Canada, especially its ministers and commissioners to the General Council, of' the following passage in the doctrinal articles of The United Church of Canada's Basis of Union: " We believe that it is our duty as disciples and servants of Christ... to preserve the inviolability of marriage and the sanctity of the family"
STATEMENT CONCERNING MARRIAGE
As members of the National Alliance of Covenanting Congregations within the United Church of Canada, we have affirmed the idea of life-long fidelity in marriage and loving chastity In singleness as set forth in the proceedings of the I 9th General Council, 1960.
As Christians, we know that love of God and each other, the essences of discipleship, fulfils the two great commandments in which all other commandments are fulfilled.
Having been created male and female, we hold Christian marriage to be a formally blessed bond of love between one woman and one man, in which sexual intercourse strengthens the bond and may beget new life to carry or the human race.
Knowing that some persons, because of their sexual preferences or other circumstances, are tempted to enter into relationships that include sexual intercourse outside marriage, we declare that our congregations do not condone such relationships, nor give them formal recognition, sanction or blessing.
While not blessing such relationships, we nevertheless include all people in our pastoral concern, and commend all people and all relationships to the mercy of Christ.
(Adopted at the Annual General Meeting of the National Alliance of Covenanting Congregations on March 27, 1992)
This pamphlet is one of a series prepared as commentaries on issues and topics which are of
interest and concern to individual members of member congregations. They provided with
the intent of stating the traditional Christian Faith and Morality which are upheld by the congregations of NACC
[Printed February 1997].