RESOLUTION of the Church Council of University Baptist Church

May 25, 2003

 

The congregation of University Baptist Church determines and resolves as follows:

 

1.         The Church has a sincere and well-established commitment, grounded in the Scriptures, to peacemaking and non-violence.  The presence of firearms on the Church’s real property is inconsistent with the Church’s commitment and would undermine the Church’s traditional role as a sanctuary.

 

2.         The Church hereby prohibits firearms on the Church’s real property, including the church building, the parking lot, and the grounds.  An exception may be made by the pastor for peace officers on law enforcement business.

 

3.         The Church chooses to notify those entering the Church’s property of the prohibition of firearms by placing notices in the bulletins, on the website, and in tenant agreements as follows:  “Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God.’  Therefore, this place of sanctuary is free of violence in all its forms including firearms.” 

 

4.         The Church believes that the signage requirements of the so-called Minnesota Citizens’ Personal Protection Act of 2003 (“the Act”), by requiring the Church to communicate its prohibition of firearms by specific words on a specific form of sign at specific locations, all chosen by the State, violate the Church’s right to use its property to communicate and exercise religious beliefs. 

 

5.         The Church believes that the personal notification requirement of the Act, by requiring the Church to include a demand for compliance, violates the Church’s right to use its property to communicate and exercise religious beliefs.  The Church believes it has the right to welcome worshippers and visitors as the Church sees fit.

 

6.         Accordingly, as the Act conflicts with the Church’s mission and worship practices, the Church hereby declines to comply with the requirements of the Act.

 

7.         The Church will join in the lawsuit commenced by Edina Community Lutheran Church to declare the Act unconstitutional as applied to the Church, on condition that the Church’s liability for legal fees and costs be limited to $1,000.  The Church further invites other religious organizations to join it in the legal action based on their ability to contribute.