The Bishop, Scott Jones, emphasized in a church circular that the church has been unified on the matter of health care actually being a human right for a long long timefor centuriesalthought, the Church had made this specifically clear in 1999.
Read the full statement circulated in churches last weekend (below).
KAS
Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones released the following statement March 22, 2010 regarding the United Methodist Church's role in the passage of health care reform over the weekend. Please feel free to share these remarks.
Bishop Scott Jones' statement:
The United Methodist Church has had a concern for health care for more than 250 years. We have founded medical clinics, hospitals and medical schools. We have delivered health care to the poor. We have a long history of advocating for public health practices such as reducing use of tobacco and alcohol. We believe that God seeks the best for all people, including their health.
Many current health care issues are complicated, and yet we have a
consistent position seeking care for all. The Social Principles urges
all persons to pursue a healthy lifestyle. It also says that "Health
care is a basic human right" and "We believe it is a governmental
responsibility to provide all citizens with health care." In 2008 the
General Conference adopted Resolution 3201 "Health Care for All in the
United States"
(http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlne/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2954191&ct=8104619¬oc=1).
Based on this resolution, the General Board of Church and Society
worked for health care reform without endorsing any particular bill. I
believe that the General Board worked for the principles contained in
our church's teaching.
Many faithful and loyal United Methodists disagree with this particular
legislation. While believing that health care for all is important,
they think there are better ways of achieving that important goal than
the ones contained in this legislation. Some of our United Methodist
members of Congress voted against this legislation while others voted
for it. It is quite appropriate that we have a diversity of opinion
about the best ways to achieve a better society for all God's children.
Two related issues are important here.
One should remember that George W. Bush, George McGovern, Robert Dole
and Hillary Clinton have all been faithful United Methodist Christians
who served their country in the political arena. At various times,
different parts of our church have been angry with different ones of
these persons, but I am proud to serve a church that includes such
great leaders as these.
Second, we are people of the extreme center who should resist polarizing
and demonizing influences in our culture. We should be talking about
issues faithfully and carefully with mutual respect for those who
disagree with us. God expects us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and
the way we carry out our political activities should reflect that kind
of love for all.
