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Press Releases and Testimony
( 2 Articles )
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Death Penalty
( 12 Articles )
Joint Statement on the Death Penalty New Hampshire Council of Churches
The New Hampshire Council of Churches, an ecumenical Christian body of ten diverse denominations including Protestant, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions, regard the use of capital punishment as problematic and unacceptable. As Christians we believe that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26). In our human condition sin tarnishes this image; nevertheless, we believe that the promise of redemption is offered to all through repentance. Thus, each of us is called to respect the life and dignity of every person, even when that person denies the dignity of others. We must still recognize that their dignity is a gift from God and is not something that is earned or lost through their behavior. Respect for life applies to all, even the perpetrators of terrible acts.
Scripture cautions us: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all” (Romans 12:17). From this Christian perspective we are led to conclude that the death penalty does not provide justice. Instead the death penalty perpetuates inhumane retribution, fosters feelings of revenge, and exacerbates a cycle of violence upon the perpetuators and victims without regard for that which is noble. These responses dehumanize society and blind us to God’s image in all; perpetrators and victims, rich and poor, young and old, Christian and non-Christian, no matter what color their skin may be. The use of capital punishment does not restore a broken society; it perpetuates the violence and injustice instead of condemning such intolerable acts.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, condemn the expansion of capital punishment and call for the abolishment of its use in the State of New Hampshire, asking all to seek that which is noble.
Adopted by the Board of Directors May 20, 2010
Member Denominations:
American Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Friends, Greek Orthodox, Presbyterian Church/USA, Roman Catholic, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Unitarian Universalist
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Gambling Expansion
( 4 Articles )
New Hampshire Council of Churches Statement on Expanded Gambling
“Our faith calls us to work for justice; to serve those in need; to pursue peace; and to defend the life, dignity, and rights of all our sisters and brothers. This is the call of Jesus, the challenge of the prophets, and the living tradition of our Church." [1]
The New Hampshire Council of Churches, comprised of delegates representing member denominations of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, and Roman Catholictraditions in the state of New Hampshire, are united in our opposition to the expansion of gambling in New Hampshire.
Some of us oppose gambling on principle. Some accept the gambling that exists: the state sponsored lottery, non-profit Monte Carlo nights, and church bingo. All of us reject the expansion of gambling that would establish casinos and legalize video lottery (slot) machines, both forms of gambling that studies have shown are particularly addictive and result in social problems and increased criminal activity.
Our faith teaches that the role of government is to maintain order, preserve justice, and promote the common good. In this moment, we believe that the proper role of government is to distinguish between legitimate forms of gambling that serve as amusement, and illegitimate and inappropriate forms of gambling that have been to shown to be particularly addictive and lead to excessive gambling and deprivation of the basic needs of persons, which we believe to be a violation of justice. New Hampshire must continue to promote the values of education, hard work, and dignity of labor and reject the illusion of easy money. Encouraging a “something for nothing” attitude transforms state government from a preserver of the well being of its citizens to an exploiter of its citizens’ weaknesses and addictions.
For all these reasons, we believe that the expansion of gambling is not a responsible solution to our state’s financial problems.2]
Passed NHCC, May 20, 2010
Member Denominations:
American Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Friends, Greek Orthodox, Presbyterian Church/USA, Roman Catholic, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Unitarian Universalist
[1] A Century of Catholic Social Teaching; A Common Heritage, A Continuing Challenge.
[2] Material in this report is drawn from Public Policy Statements of the New Hampshire Council of Churches, the Statement on Expansion of Gambling in New Hampshire by the Diocese of Manchester, the Public Statement of Missouri Religious Leaders Regarding Expansion of State-Sponsored Gambling” dated April 23, 2002. and the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling’s website.
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Anti-Torture
( 3 Articles )
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Human Services Budget
( 2 Articles )
New Hampshire Council of Churches
People of faith strengthening New Hampshire communities!
PO Box 1087, Concord, NH 03302-1087 (603) 224-1352 www.NHChurches.org
Joint Statement on Budgeting
The New Hampshire Council of Churches, an ecumenical Christian body of ten diverse denominations including Protestant, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions, believes that adopting a budget is essentially a moral and value-based process, rather than a strictly fiduciary one. We urge our government to examine closely the budget it proposes to determine whether its provisions are fair and just.
Christian Scripture tells us that, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34) With these words, Jesus reminds us that the choices we make in spending both reflect and reinforce our values. If we are careful to pay attention to issues of morality when planning the state budget, not only can we be confident that our resources will be used wisely, but we can also rest steadfast in the strengthening of our shared future for the common good. However, if we pay closer attention to other matters, such as political gain or personal interest, we become complicit in eroding our social value system.
Any proposed budget, then, should take particular care to adequately provide for those who are dependent on the state for their standard of life. This includes, but is not limited to, the mentally, physically, or developmentally disabled, the impoverished elderly, children, and the unemployed. It is essential that all of God’s children, including the poor and sick, the old and young, are able to receive the providence necessary to maintain quality, meaningful lives. The budget should also take care to protect the environment, which is God’s creation and one of New Hampshire’s greatest resources, and to promote justice and equality by providing for basic human needs in health care, education, housing, etc. It should spread its burden and rewards fairly while not excluding some from our state’s bounty and opportunity.
Our state government’s mandate comes from the people, and ultimately, from the God who calls each person to civic duty. We urge our lawmakers to assess any proposed government budget as a document that reflects New Hampshire’s best moral values, and who we are as children of God.
Adopted by the Board of Directors 02/17/2011
Member Denominations:
American Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Friends, Greek Orthodox, Presbyterian Church/USA, Roman Catholic, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Unitarian Universalist
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Immigration
( 7 Articles )
New Hampshire Council of Churches Public Policy Statement on Immigration
The New Hampshire Council of Churches, an ecumenical Christian body of ten diverse denominations including Protestant, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions, believe that both our religious traditions and our national history point to the necessity of a moral response to the issue of immigration.
With the exception of Native Americans, the United States is a nation of immigrants. Most of our ancestors arrived here from other nations and began their lives in the United States as strangers and sojourners, seeking refuge and opportunity in this land.
Our religious traditions also point us toward care and concern for immigrants. The first books of our Scriptures chronicle the wonderings of the Hebrew people in their search for a land where they might find safety and peace. In the New Testament Jesus taught that the practice of welcoming the stranger is as crucial to a just society as is feeding the hungry (see Matthew 25:35, 43).
Our member denominations have spoken with one voice on this issue, recommending reforms in our national immigration policy which uphold the God-given dignity of every person.
The key principles expressed in our denominations’ statements on immigration include:
- Support measures to address the root causes of migration
- Create a process for undocumented migrants to earn legal status and citizenship
- Uphold family unity as a priority in immigration policies
- Protect workers and provide legal avenues for migrant workers
- Restore due process protections and reform detention policies
- Facilitate immigrant integration
- Provide a process toward naturalization which is navigable and affordable
- Align immigration enforcement with humanitarian values.]
In summary, our national history and our faith-based mandate to welcome the stranger commit us, the member denominations of the NH Council of Churches, to care for and stand with immigrants. While affirming the right and responsibility of our nation to control its borders and to ensure the security of its citizens, we seek reforms in our immigration laws and practices that will more effectively honor and protect the fundamental dignity of all human beings.
Approved May 20, 2010
Member Denominations: American Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Friends, Greek Orthodox, Presbyterian Church/USA, Roman Catholic, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Unitarian Universalist
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