Bill Text: CA SR68 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relative to the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-09-14 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 37. Noes 1. Page 2921.) [SR68 Detail]
Download: California-2017-SR68-Enrolled.html
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Enrolled
September 15, 2017 |
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Passed
IN
Senate
September 14, 2017 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION
| Senate Resolution | No. 68 |
| Introduced by Senator Moorlach |
September 11, 2017 |
Relative to the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 68, Moorlach.
Digest Key
Bill Text
WHEREAS, October 31, 2017, will mark the 500th anniversary of the posting of the “95 Theses” on the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg, Germany, by scholar and priest Martin Luther; and
WHEREAS, The event in Wittenberg is widely credited as an inflection point in history for the Protestant Reformation and for accelerating the European Renaissance; and
WHEREAS, Luther, an Augustinian monk, was influenced by previous religious scholars, such as John Wycliffe and Jan Huss, who appealed to the authority of the Bible in theological debates and wished scripture to be available to the people in their own vernacular; and
WHEREAS, This phenomenon was not immediately embraced by authorities, and reformers faced punishment from the church and the state for their actions, with some condemned to death; and
WHEREAS, Despite the dangers these reformers faced because of their intellectual curiosity, the Reformation inspired subsequent independent thought and teachings, such as that of Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin who led a complicated reform movement that centered in Geneva; and
WHEREAS, Just decades after the beginning of the Reformation, the Church of England was founded by King Henry VIII. Years later, church reformers known as Puritans became prevalent in English religious and political affairs; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Reformation and Renaissance brought about many political, scientific, academic, military, and technological achievements. Among these achievements were advanced development of the printing press, increased innovation and exploration, and a desire for independence from the control of the church and the state; and
WHEREAS, In 1620, many Puritans left England and formed colonies in the New World that eventually became the basis for the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, Protestant principles of hard work, entrepreneurialism, and education were recognized by scholars lauding the American republican experiment and its cause for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and
WHEREAS, These 500 years later, the actions of Luther and the Reformation have occasioned deeper and more fruitful ecumenical dialogue leading to renewed mutual understanding of common faith in Christ and collaborative expressions of evangelizing others and living in that faith for the common good; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California,That the Senate recognizes the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation; and be it further
Resolved,That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
