Bismarck Area Faith Leaders: We Vote Yes On Measure 1
Out-of-state groups are trying to overturn laws that have been passed by our elected officials in the North Dakota state legislature. In a bipartisan vote, the legislature deemed it appropriate and necessary to adopt an amendment to our constitution to protect the laws that are already on the books. No new laws are enacted.
Elder care experts–including attorneys–have clarified that Measure 1 will not affect end of life decisions but rather strengthen their ability to stop third parties [like insurance companies] from denying the care they need. A few of the 14 experts include: Christopher Dodson, J.D. General Counsel, ND Catholic Conference; David J. Hogue, J.D., North Dakota State Senator, Chair Senate Judiciary Committee; Stephen Mikochik Professor Emeritus, Temple University School of Law, PA; Rodger Wetzel, LSW, Past Chair, ND Matters of Life and Death.
Why not allow our state to set its own laws? This measure will protect that.
The amendment states: “The inalienable right to life of every human being at any state of development must be recognized and protected.” God is the giver of life. We must value life and make common sense laws to protect it. The federal law protects one’s access to abortion. This amendment provides a barrier against lawsuits from out-of-state groups to overturn laws already passed by our ND legislature, such as parental notification and conscience protection for health care workers. It does not ban abortion, impact IVF or advance directives.
This measure will allow North Dakota laws to be set by North Dakotans.
We add our voice to the ND state Legislature, Senator Hoeven, Congressman Cramer, along with a wide range of faith leaders in North Dakota who support it. We vote yes on Measure 1.
Kari Bitz, Director, Cord of 3 Ministries, Bismarck ND
Tim Davidson, Pastor, Word of Faith Church, Bismarck ND
Greg Runyon, Pastor, Antioch Centre, Mandan ND
Sam Saylor, Pastor, Gateway Community Fellowship, Bismarck ND
Curtis Dikoff, Pastor, Child Evangelism Fellowship, SW Chapter, ND
Dan Kent, Pastor, Capital Christian Center, Bismarck ND
Marc P Eidahl, Pastor, New Life Church, Bismarck ND
Morris Conklin, Pastor for Senior Care, Evangel Assembly of God Bismarck ND
Michael Evans, Executive Director, ND Teen Challenge, Mandan ND
Richard Wyatt, Pastor, Living Hope Church of the Nazarene, Bismarck ND
Bob Copenhaver, Director, Healing Rooms of the Northern Plains, Bismarck ND
LaRue Goetz, President, Revival Prayer Fellowship, Bismarck ND
Cecil Stanton, Pastor, Faith Center, Bismarck ND
Greg Carr, Pastor, Prairie Family Church, Bismarck ND
Keith Ritchie, Pastor, Cornerstone Church, Bismarck ND
Matt Thompson, Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Bismarck ND
Kurt Chaffee, Pastor, New Song Community Church, Bismarck ND
Tim Jenks, Pastor, Bethel Lutheran Church, Bismarck ND
Bob Thune, Pastor, First Evangelical Free Church, Bismarck ND
Les Wolfgram, Pastor, Shepherd of the Valley LCMS Church, Bismarck ND
Mark R. Drews, Pastor, Messiah Lutheran Church, Mandan ND
Greg Baker, Pastor, Mandan Nazarene Church, Mandan ND
John Boustead, Pastor, Solomon’s Rest, Bismarck ND
Scott Bauman, Reverend, Bismarck ND
Randy Upgren, Reverend, Bismarck ND
Sam Coleman, Pastor, Bismarck ND
