January 29, 2009
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper

The February 2009 issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics (JLE) features discussion papers on the topic of human rights. "Violations of human rights are often violent, so advocating for and supporting human rights vigorously is one important way to help bring about a nonviolent world," the Rev. Ronald W. Duty said.

The papers were presented at a consultation on human rights hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Task Force for the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence. Held in the fall, the consultation served "to celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to encourage the ELCA to continue to be active on human rights issues," said Duty, assistant director for studies, ELCA Church in Society. "The JLE February issue brings together the thoughts and ideas of practitioners in human rights and theologians who think that the church is and should be at the forefront of defending human rights." The consultation was supported by a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The JLE is a free online publication from the ELCA dedicated to promoting awareness, study and conversation about Christian ethics in the Lutheran tradition.

Lutheran ethicists gather annually to talk about mutually agreed upon topics related to Christian ethics and the church's presence in society. At their Jan. 7-9 gathering in Chicago ethicists, pastors, graduate students and others addressed the topic of genetics. The ELCA is developing a social statement on genetics and biotechnology due in 2011. Papers presented at the gathering will be published in the JLE in 2009.

ELCA News Service