Side Bars – R.L. Dabney on Secular Conservatives – Rethinking Public Schools – The Bible and Private Property – The Bible and Possession Laws – Deuteronomy 4:5-9 – Lord Acton Quote – The Bible and Gambling – Closing Exhortation – Our Obligations – The Purpose of Civil Government

Ballot Recommendations Summary Measure 54 Measure 55 Measure 56 Measure 57 Measure 58 Measure 59 Measure 60 Measure 61 Measure 62 Measure 63 Measure 64 Measure 65 Measure 66 Measure 67

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Measure #58
Requires Issuing Copy Of Original Birth Certificate To Adoptees

Result of “Yes” vote:
"Yes" vote requires issuing copy of original Oregon birth certificate to adult adoptees upon request.

Result of “No” vote:
"No" vote retains confidentiality of original Oregon birth certificate of adoptees unless court orders disclosure.

PEAPAC Explanation:
This Measure would give someone who had been adopted, once they reach the age of 21, the right to ask for and receive the original birth certificate, including the name of the original birth mother. Because it is retroactive, we oppose the Measure, and urge a No vote.

PEAPAC Commentary and Recommendation

On its face, this Measure may seem worthy of support. The Bible stresses the importance of blood lines, as for example, in our Savior’s genealogy. Additionally, one could say that the lack of assurance of anonymity that this Measure would effect tends to increase the sense of personal responsibility for bringing a child into the world.

But there are several factors which bring us to recommend a No vote on this Measure.

First, the Scriptures are clear in their approval of adoption. In fact, adoption is the means whereby Christ has brought us unto right relationship with the Father (Romans 8:15; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5). This Measure may in some small way discourage adoption by taking away the birth parents’ assurance of anonymity.

Second, there is a negative effect on current birth parents of adoptees. They entered into various covenants as they gave up their children for adoption. The legal assurance of anonymity was at least an implied part of these covenants. The Bible takes covenants very, very seriously. Gal. 3:15 tells us it is wrong to change the terms of a covenant unilaterally, that is, by one side imposing new terms on the other. This Measure would do just that. The Legislature should take up this matter next session, and “grandfather out” current birth parents of adoptees.

This voters' guide produced by Parents Education Association, PAC.