This post presents the ethical positions of some different Christian denominations on various social issues. This includes Roman Catholic, Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), Presbyterian USA, and United Methodist. Although there is only one official Roman Catholic position on ethical issues, there will be differences in the various denominations of Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, and Methodism. For example, LCMS will differ on many issues when compared to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Presbyterian USA will differ from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. And Methodist USA will differ from the Evangelical Methodist Church. Nevertheless, the denominations considered are very prominent and should provide the reader with a range of perspectives. Although the specific denominational positions may be of interest, the key point is that large and important Christian organizations often come to very different conclusions when theologically examining ethical issues.
Abortion
Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism teaches that life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception. Therefore, both abortion and infanticide are heinous sins. A person known to have had an abortion will be excommunicated.
Lutheran (LCMS). The LCMS teaches that it is contrary to God’s Word and never an acceptable option unless the life of the mother is at stake.
Presbyterian USA. The Presbyterian USA discourages abortions but does not condemn them. It lists possible justifying circumstances as severe physical or mental deformity, conception as a result of rape or incest, or conditions under which the physical or mental health of either woman or child would be gravely threatened.
United Methodist. The United Methodist church states that it is reluctant to condone abortion. It rejects abortion as a method of birth control or gender selection and opposes late-term abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger or there are severe fetal abnormalities. It does not specifically object to early-term abortions, implies that they may be acceptable due to unspecified tragic life situations, and supports the legal availability of abortions.
Climate Change
Roman Catholic. In his second encyclical, Pope Francis highlights the grave situation of a number of environmental issues including pollution, anthropogenic climate change, a lack of clean water, and a loss of biodiversity. He writes, “climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.”[i] He recognizes the tension between low-cost energy in developing nations through fossil fuels and environmental consequences and advises to pursue short-term solutions while making a long-term transition to renewable energy.
Lutheran (LCMS). The LCMS does not have an official position on climate change.
Presbyterian USA. The Presbyterian USA believes that anthropomorphic climate change is threat that Christians have a moral obligation to address. In 1981, the PCUSA acknowledged the importance of transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based economy. In 2006, the PCUSA called on all church members to lower their carbon footprint in order to combat the effects of climate change. A 2008 PCUSA report views the potential impact of climate change as catastrophic and calls for a transition to renewable and away from dependence on fossil fuels.[ii] In 2018, the PCUSA stated its support for comprehensive, mandatory, and aggressive emission reductions and for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants.
United Methodist. The United Methodist church teaches that an increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases over past decades already has resulted in a steady rise in sea levels, growing acidification of the world’s oceans, increased droughts and famines, and the intensification of extreme weather events. It believes that this trend needs to be reversed by through increased investments in the research, development, and distribution of alternatives to fossil fuels, including, but not limited to, solar, wind, geothermal and hydrogen-based energy sources.
Death Penalty
Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism does not object to capital punishment.
Lutheran (LCMS). In its 1980 report on capital punishment, the LCMS states that capital punishment is in accord with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.[iii]
Presbyterian USA. The Presbyterian USA objects to all capital punishment and has called for an immediate moratorium on all executions in all jurisdictions that impose capital punishment.
United Methodist. The United Methodist church objects to all capital punishment.
Divorce and Remarriage
Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism does not permit divorce. Its position is that marriage is indissoluble.[iv] However, canon law allows marriages to be annulled, which is the recognition that there was never a valid marriage in the first place. The determination as to whether a marriage can be annulled is made in the ecclesiastical court. Because Roman Catholicism does not permit divorce, it necessarily does not permit remarriage after divorce. In 2016, Pope Francis published an exhortation that states, “Because of forms of conditioning and mitigating factors, it is possible that in an objective situation of sin … a person can be living in God’s grace, can love and can also grow in the life of grace and charity, while receiving the Church’s help to this end.”[v] This was directed towards people remarried in civil courts but still attend Catholic services and wish to partake in the Eucharist. This document has received much pushback from Catholic theologians and is not part of the official Catholic canon.
Lutheran (LCMS). The LCMS position on this issue is presented in detail in a 1987 report.[vi] It states that a person who divorces his/her spouse for any other cause than sexual unfaithfulness and marries another commits adultery. Additionally, anyone who marries a person so discarding his/her spouse commits adultery. The report says that remarriage for the unoffending spouse is acceptable. It goes on to say that divorce for unscriptural reasons, and remarriage involving such persons, are contrary to God’s will and that it is the duty of Christian pastors to confront the persons involved in such situations with the gravity of their sin.
Presbyterian USA. The Presbyterian USA does not discuss any positions on its website related to either divorce or remarriage. However, in 1952 the PCUSA General Assembly moved to amend sections of the Westminster Confession that broadening the grounds for divorce. Furthermore, the PCUSA Confession of 1967 framed marriage in terms of compassion rather than discipline allowing for compassionate consideration for divorce and remarriage.
United Methodist. The United Methodist church discourages divorce but allows divorced people to participate in lay and church leadership, including clergy. Remarriage after divorce is viewed as acceptable.
Euthanasia and Suicide
Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism is categorically opposed to all forms of euthanasia and suicide. In the early eighties, the Roman Catholic Church removed suicide from its list of mortal sins, but still considers it a grave matter that wrongly asserts dominion over God’s creation.
Lutheran. The LCMM teaches objects to medical personnel having any part in actively inducing death, even at the patient’s request or at the request of the family. It does not have an official position regarding the eternal state of individuals who have committed suicide.
Presbyterian USA. The Presbyterian USA does not discuss any positions on its website related to either euthanasia or suicide. However, a paper adopted by the 121st General Assembly (1981) states that euthanasia and suicide are extremely difficult to defend morally, but there are certain extreme circumstances when it may be morally defensible.[vii]
United Methodist. The United Methodist church opposes both euthanasia and suicide. However, it points out that final judgment is by God. It therefore rejects attempts to deny the ministries and services of the church to those who die by euthanasia or suicide or to their grieving families and other loved ones.
Gambling
Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism believes that games of chance or wagers are not in themselves sinful but become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others.[viii]
Lutheran (LCMS). A 1996 LCMS report does not characterize gambling as inherently sinful, but that it does have a great potential for abuse.[ix] It recognizes that Scripture does not specifically address gambling but does address about various issues that arise in the context of gambling and the promotion of gambling.
Presbyterian USA. In 2000, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian USA reaffirmed its opposition to organized and institutional forms of gambling,
United Methodist. United Methodists reject the practice of gambling because it focuses society’s attention on the acquisition of monetary goods at the exclusion of all else and enriches a small minority at the expense of the larger majority.
Gun Control
Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism supports the right of individual self-defense, including the use of lethal force when necessary. It does not specifically address firearms but implies that responsible gun ownership is acceptable if this is the best form of self-defense. Despite this, the unofficial opinions of various popes and bishops seem to favor restrictions on firearm ownership. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XV) observes that there is a legitimate diversity of Catholic opinions in this area.
Lutheran (LCMS). The LCMM does not have an official position on gun control.
Presbyterian USA. The Presbyterian USA is in favor of aggressive gun control at the federal, state, and local levels. This includes importation, manufacture, sale, and possession of guns and ammunition by the general public.
United Methodist. The United Methodist church is in favor of gun control legislation at the local and national levels. This includes universal background checks, ensuring that all guns are sold through licensed retailers, and establishing a minimum age of 21 years for a gun purchase or possession, and prohibiting those convicted of violent crimes, those under restraining order due to the threat of violence, and those with serious mental illness that may be a danger to themselves or others from purchasing a gun.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Roman Catholic. The official position of Roman Catholicism is that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered, contrary to the natural law, and under no circumstances can be approved.[x] It therefore opposes both same-sex marriage same-sex civil unions. Roman Catholicism also believes that a person is born with a biological sex. Any gender identity that does not agree with a person’s biological sex is a disorder, but the person should always be treated with compassion and love.
Lutheran (LCMS). The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod believes the Bible teaches homosexual behavior is contrary to God’s Word and will, and the LCMS seeks to minister to those who are struggling with homosexual inclinations. Homosexual acts are understood as inherently sinful and homosexual clergy are not permitted.
Presbyterian USA. The Presbyterian USA recognizes that it has changed it position on sexual orientation and gender identity and is apologetic to its former traditional beliefs. Currently it celebrates LGBTQ church members and also allows for the ordination of openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual clergy.
United Methodist. The United Methodist church enacted a major change in its policy towards homosexuality at its General Conference in 2024. It has removed from the Book of Discipline all language that restricts or singles out non-heterosexual people for disparate treatment, which can now be characterized as neutral in this area. Homosexual clergy are now allowed, and clergy are free to either participate or to not participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies. This said, the Book of Discipline still states, “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”[xi]
[i] Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ Of The Holy Father Francis on Care For Our Common, June 2015.
[ii] The Power to Change: U.S. Energy Policy and Global Warming, General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), 2008.
[iii] Report on Capital Punishment, Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, 1980.
[iv] Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libraria Editrice Vaticana, 1992: ¶1614.
[v] Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), 2016: ¶8.
[vi] Divorce and Remarriage: An Exegetical Study, Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Nov. 1987.
[vii] In Life and in Death We Belong to God: Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and End-of-Life Issues, Congregational Ministries Division, PC-USA, 1995.
[viii] Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libraria Editrice Vaticana, 1992: ¶2413.
[ix] Gambling: A Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Feb. 1996.
[x] Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libraria Editrice Vaticana, 1992: ¶2357.
[xi] The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN: The United Methodist Publishing House, 2016: 113.
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