RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT 1 TO THE TENNESSEE CONSTITUTION 2014

WHEREAS, a ruling in 2000 by the Tennessee Supreme Court declared that a right to abortion is implicit in the Tennessee Constitution, thereby making enforcement of protective life-affirming legislation unlikely, if not impossible; and

WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution 127 proposes an amendment to the Constitution that will be designated “Amendment 1” on the 2014 Tennessee general election ballot stating, “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion”; and
WHEREAS, the Church of God General Assembly by resolution, based on biblical pronouncements, has affirmed the value of human life, made in God’s image, and has acknowledged that divine law forbids the indiscriminate taking of human life, exacting heavy penalties of those who violate this commandment (Psalm 106:135-138; 2 Kings 17:17-18); and

WHEREAS, the Bible declares that God knows the unborn child while still in its mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13, 15; Psalm 22:10-11; Galatians 1:15), affirms that the fetus (Latin, little one) is a child, and by using the same Hebrew and Greek words to identify both pre-born and infant implies no difference between the two; and

WHEREAS, from the first century the faithful church has opposed abortion as contrary to God’s law, deserving of judgment; and

WHEREAS, the church is called upon by God to stand for social justice, defend the defenseless, and care for the forgotten (Psalm 82:1-4) and should speak on behalf of the unborn who cannot speak for themselves; and
WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee has become an abortion destination from its eight surrounding states because, unlike those states, the practice of abortion in Tennessee is largely unregulated and unrestricted; and
WHEREAS, the people of Tennessee have been granted this historic opportunity to cast an affirmative vote in support of pro‑life Amendment 1;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Church of God Executive Committee, on behalf of the Church of God with International Offices in Tennessee, calls upon Tennessee citizens to support Amendment 1 and work energetically to pass it as an act of protection for life; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all Church of God members be encouraged to pray sincerely for divine intervention in the Tennessee election, courageously speak on behalf of life issues, contribute financially in support of efforts to pass the amendment, and use personal influence to help ensure its passage.
   International Executive Committee Minutes – Dec 5-6, 2013