CHARIS kai EIRENE

About Xαρις και Eιρηνη

Xαρις και Eιρηνη is a blog written from the perspective of a Lutheran student studying for the pastoral ministry. It's title means Grace and Peace, a common greeting in St. Paul's letters and I think, a two-word summary of what Jesus Christ has won for me.

Ephesians 2:4-5

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Romans 5:1-3

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

Colossians 4:5-6

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Art.XV, 21

The Fathers had these reasons for maintaining the rites, and for these reasons we also judge it to be right that traditions [good customs] be maintained. And we [Lutherans] are greatly surprised that our adversaries, contrary to the entire Scriptures of the Apostles, contrary to the Old and New Testaments contend for another design of traditions, namely, that they may merit the remission of sins, grace, or justification.

2.17.2008

California Lutheran Highschool Case

Say a prayer of thanks that the justice system of California has stood up in defense of the right of Christians to practice their religion. This case, although having recieved very little national attention, was seen as pivitol in providing an example for similar cases, which will undoubtedly arise. The justice system is remarkably, although not universally consistent. The arguement of these girls against CLHS has theoretically been vetoed for good, and nobody can argue anymore that religious schools are merely "businesses," and therefore subject to anti-discrimination laws.
----------------------------
From the WELS Newsletter,
----------------------------
A Superior Court judge in Riverside County, Calif., has thrown out a lawsuit brought against California Lutheran High School (CLHS), Wildomar, Calif., that alleged the school discriminated against two female students by expelling them for their homosexual relationship.
Judge Gloria Trask ruled last month that there was no legal basis for the claim that CLHS—operated by an association of WELS congregations in California—falls under the state's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in business settings.
Through its attorney, John McKay, CLHS argued the school is a private religious institution and can remove students for behavior that contradicts Christian values. "You can't infringe upon the basic rights of a religious group and their right of association by forcing them to accept people who don't believe in their values," McKay told the Riverside Press Enterprise. "How could the school teach that homosexuality is a sin, and at the same time allow these two girls to be students there?"
The two girls were 11th-graders in September 2005. They were questioned by then-principal Rev. Gregory Bork after other students reported the girls had told them they were in a lesbian relationship—something they publicized on their own Web page. The girls then admitted the nature of their relationship to him. Rev. Bork says the school was forced to expel them after he lovingly worked with the families and the girls refused to repent and end their relationship.
The ruling ends, for now, more than two years of legal proceedings; the plaintiffs are expected to appeal. Still, Mr. Steven Rosenbaum, the current principal, is expressing thanks for the ruling. "It's always humbling to step back and watch the Lord's hand at work in his time," he says. "He works everything out for the good of his people."

posted by LutheranStudent @ 12:34

0 Comments: