The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Minneapolis has approved a resolution opposing a proposed
constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Minnesota,
ABC
affiliate KAAL reported.
Voting members of 160 churches debated
the resolution Friday night.
“Our daughter came out as a lesbian
12 years ago,” Karen Johnson, one of 700 voting members, told
colleagues. “There was shock, fear for her safety, questions with
no answers, silent grief.”
Johnson said she devoted herself to
learn as much as possible about “my daughter's world.”
“Jesus has no barriers in loving his
children. Education brings knowledge and knowledge brings healing.
I'm passionate in the knowledge that his love is for all our
children.”
The resolution overwhelmingly passed.
But the synod is not expected to campaign against the measure.
“We are encouraging the civil rights
of all citizens of the state and are against being signaled out or
targeted by a particular constitutional amendment or legislative
action,” said Pastor Brad Froslee of Calvary Lutheran Church. (A
video report is embedded in the right panel of this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
Minnesota voters will decide on the
measure in November.