Religious Leaders Speak Out on Schiavo Case
In a statement released on March 26, 2005 through the Center for American Progress, a group of interfaith religious leaders asked our nation's elected officials to end "selective morality" in Washington as witnessed through the emergency legislation passed in the Terri Schiavo case. The statement, signed by the Rev. William G. Sinkford says, in part, "We, the undersigned religious leaders, hold that compassion and respect for a family's private decision making, respect for the rule of law, and respect for medical expertise are things of great value [and] are in fact moral goods that we jettison only at our peril."
The UUA has long been a voice in support of the role of individual choice in end of life decision-making. In 1988, the UUA General Assembly passed a resolution which provides for the possibility that individuals may make very different choices which should be honored equally: "Unitarian Universalists advocate right to self-determination in dying, and the release from civil or criminal penalties of those who, under proper safeguards, act to honor the right of terminally ill patients to select the time of their own deaths."
Resources: The U.S. Living Will Registry offers resources on developing advance directives for end of life issues  . Make sure that you reference information on this site for your particular state.
Statement from Interfaith Religious Leaders
Signed by the Rev. William G. Sinkford
March 25, 2005
HAVE THEY NO DECENCY?
Religious Leaders Call for an End to Selective Morality in Washington
How does it come to pass in our country that Congress and the President would rush back to Washington on a Palm Sunday evening for the express purpose of trying to overrule the decisions of six courts and nineteen judges over a period of many years regarding the appropriate medical treatment of one individual?
How does it come to pass that elected leaders who are sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution now refuse to accept any court's decision until they find a court that agrees with their position? How does it come to pass that expert medical opinion, along with expert legal opinion, is being cast aside and trodden underfoot in a crass use of piety to usurp judicial prerogatives?
And—most painfully to those of us who work directly with families in crisis—how does it come to pass that a spouse's anguish and a spouse's devotion to the expressed wishes of his loved one can be disparaged and discredited by religious figures acting in league with reckless politicians?
Sadly, we understand all too well how this can come to pass. We see clearly how an excruciating family drama—involving the understandable grief of the parents as well—is being manipulated for narrow partisan advantage.
We, the undersigned religious leaders, hold that compassion and respect for a family's private decision making, respect for the rule of law, and respect for medical expertise are things of great value—are in fact moral goods that we jettison only at our peril.
We therefore call for an end to the selective morality that has been exhibited in connection with the tragic case of Terri Schiavo. We remind the American people that all elected leaders who claim to be fighting for the rights and dignity of the disabled must be judged by the votes they cast day in and day out, and not by any opportunistic rhetoric they may choose to apply to one dramatic case.
Accordingly, we will be watching to see what actions those in Congress who claim to speak for Terri Schiavo will take in respect to funding for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program; funding for expanded supportive housing for the mentally ill and physically disabled; funding for the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition lifeline program; and also what actions they will take in respect to proposed EPA rule changes that will expose children to mercury toxins despite overwhelming evidence of the serious neurological damage caused by such exposure.
By their fruits we shall know them, and we shall know very soon whether these elected leaders' fruits express true respect and concern for human dignity and the right of every child, woman, and man to the fullness of life.
In the meantime, we will continue to pray for Terri Schiavo and her family, recognizing their need for God's love and support in this most painful time.
* Rev. Valerie Mapstone Ackerman, MSW, MDiv, Red Dog Farm and Retreat Center, Haskell, OK
* Rev. Jory Agate, First Parish in Cambridge, Cambridge, MA
* Rev. Diana Jordan Allende, Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Auburn, AL
* Rev. Curt Anderson, Senior Pastor, First Congregational UCC, Madison, WI
* Mary Andrus-Overley, LCSW, ACSW, District Executive, Heartland District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Indianapolis , IN
* Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson, Parish minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City, Studio City, CA
* Rev. Dr. Randolph W.B. Becker, Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Park Forest, IL
* Rev. Ed Bacon, Rector, All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA
* Rev. Ms. Wendy L. Bell, First Congregational Unitarian Church, Harvard, MA
* Eunice Milton Benton, District Executive, Mid-South District Office, Unitatrian Universalist Association, Oxford, MS
* Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Temple Sinai of Glendale, Glendale, CA
* W. Michael Bikken, Pastor, Santa Fe Methodist Church, Fort Madison, IA
* Rev. Paul Boothby, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula, Newport News, VA
* Rev. Peter C. Boullata, Epiphany Community Church, Unitarian Universalist Fenton, MI
* Rev. Jeff Briere, UU Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga , TN
* Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, Director, Faith Voices for the Common Good, Oakland, CA
* Rev. Elder Lillie Brock, Elder, Metropolitan Community Churches, Dallas, TX
* Rev. Dr. Ken Brown, District Executive, Pacific Southwest District, Unitarian Universalist Association
* Rev. Lynn Brodie, UU Church of the South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA
* Rev. Jack D. Bryant, Minister, Hope Unitarian Church, Tulsa, OK
* Rev. Daniel Budd, First Unitarian Church, Shaker Heights, OH
* Rev. Jim Burklo, author of "Open Christianity," Presbyterian minister in Sausalito, CA
* Rev. Laurie Bushbaum, Michael Servetus Unitarian Church, Fridley, MN
* Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell, Retired United Methodist Minister, Denver, CO
* Rev. Dr. Jan Carlsson-Bull, Minister, First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Cohasset, MA
* Rev. Louis A. Chase, Pastor, Hamilton United Methodist Church, Los Angeles
* Rev. Barbara Child, Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta, Valdosta, GA
* Rev. Kenneth W. Collier, Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
* Rev. Alison Cornish, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bellport, Bellport, NY
* Rev. N. Gordon Cosby and Mary Cosby, founders, Church of the Saviour, Washington, DC
* Joy and William I. Dale, River Road Unitarian Church, Bethesda, MD
* Dan and Sheila Daley, Co-Directors, Call to Action, Chicago, IL
* Denise Taft Davidoff, Chair, The Interfaith Alliance Foundation
* Rev. Sean Parker Dennison, South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, Salt Lake City, UT
* Rev. Jane Dwinell, Unitarian Universalist, Montpelier, VT
* Revs. Janne and Rob Eller-Isaacs, Co-Ministers, Unity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul, MN
* Rev. D. George David Exoo, Exec. Chaplain, Compassionate Chaplaincy Fnd., Beckley, WV
* Rev. Sandra Fees, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church, Harrisburg, PA
* Rev. Duane H. Fickeisen, Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley, Boiling Springs, PA
* Rev. Amy Bowden Freedman, Channing Memorial Church, Unitarian Universalist, Newport, RI
* Rev. Karla Fleshman, Senior Pastor, Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Churches, Glen Mills PA 19342
* Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr., Senior Minister, The Riverside Church, New York, NY
* Rev James I . Ford , Senior Minister, First Unitarian Society, West Newton, MA
* Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy, Interfaith Alliance, Washington, DC
* Rev. James Gertmenian, Senior Minister, Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis, MN
* Rabbi Gail Glicksman, Ph.D., Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, PA
* Rev. Rob Gregson, The First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hunterdon County, Baptistown, NJ
* Rev. Allen Goetcheus, Christ House Community, Washington, DC
* Rev. Beth Graham, Unitarian Universalist Association, Boston, MA
* Rev. Dee Graham, Faith Congregation of Transitions Church, Lealman (St. Petersburg), FL
* The Reverend Robert M. Hardies, Senior Minister, All Souls Church Unitarian, Washington, DC
* Rev. Debra W. Haffner, Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing, Norwalk, CT
* Rev. L. M. Hamby, Retired UU Minister, Athens, GA
* Raymond G. Helmick, S.J., Instructor in Conflict Resolution, Department of Theology, Boston College, MA
* Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski, Associate Professor of Religious Ethics, Meadville Lombard Theological School, Chicago, IL
* Rev. Anita C. Hill, Pastor, St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church/Wingspan Ministry, St. Paul, MN
* Rev. Robert L. Hill , District Executive, Southwest Unitarian Universalist Conference/Unitarian Universalist Association, Forth Worth, TX
* Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills, Somerville, NJ
* The Reverend James A. Hobart, Interim Minister, The Beverly Unitarian Church, Chicago, IL
* Rev. Olivia Holmes, Unitarian Universalist Minister, Boston, MA
* Revs. Barbara W. and Jaco B. ten Hove, co-ministers, Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, Greenbelt, MD
* Rivka Hozinsky, Rabbinical student, Hebrew Seminary of the Deaf, Skokie, IL
* Mary E. Hunt, Ph.D., Co-director, Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual, Silver Spring, MD
* Michelle Hunt , Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing, Titusville, NJ
* Rev. David Hobart Hunter, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland, Cumberland, MD
* Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs, Temple Kol Tikvah, Woodland Hills, CA
* Rev. Anthony P. (Tony) Johnson, First Unitarian Universlaist Church of Essex County, Orange, NJ
* Rev. Bruce Johnson, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley, Norwich, VT
* Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, Minister, Unitarian Univeralist Community of El Paso, El Paso, TX
* Rev. David Keyes, Unitarian Universalist minister, San Francisco, CA
* Rabbi Paul J. Kipnes, Congregation Or Ami, Calabasas, CA
* Rev. J. Patrick Kelly, Universal Life – Reiki, Sacramento, CA
* Dr. Mellen Kennedy, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stowe, VT
* Rev. Elizabeth "Kit" Ketcham, Consulting Minister to the Unitarian Universalist Congregations of Vashon and Whidbey Islands, Puget Sound, WA
* Dr. Nazir Khaja, Islamic Information Services, Los Angeles, CA
* Rev. Jennifer Kottler, Director of Education and Outreach, Protestants for the Common Good, Chicago, IL
* Rev. Dr. Nana Kratochvil, Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Muskegon, MI
* Mary L. Knight, Ministerial Candidate, Unitarian Universalist Association Pacific Northwest District, Portland, OR
* Rev. Peter Laarman, Executive Director, Progressive Christians Uniting - Los Angeles, CA
* The Rev. Jacqueline C. Lahey, Unitarian Universalist Community Minister, Maplewood, NJ
* Rev. Sarah Lammert, Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ
* Rev. Ken Brooker Langston, Disciples Justice Action Network (Disciples of Christ), Annapolis, MD
* Rev. Ann Larson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, VT
* Bishop R. Vincent Lavieri, American Apostolic Catholic Church Muskegon, MI
* Rev. James M. Lawson , Jr, President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, LA
* Rev. Jone Johnson Lewis, Leader, Northern Virginia Ethical Society, VA
* Tera Little, Pacific Southwest District/Unitarian Universalist Association, Studio City, CA
* Kate Lore, Social Justice Director, First Unitarian Church, Portland, OR
* Rev. Marguerite D. Lovett, Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach Long Beach, CA
* Reverend Jacqueline Luck, Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson, MS and Our Home Universalist Church, Ellisville, MS
* Rev. Judith L. Maynard, Metropolitan Community Church of Albuquerque, NM
* Rev. Art McDonald, PhD, Minister, First Universalist Church of Essex, Essex, MA
* Rev. Elizabeth McMaster, Unitarian Universalist minister, Albuquerque, NM
* Rev. Deborah Mero, Interim Minister, Westminster Unitarian Church, East Greenwich, RI
* Rev. Ralph Mero, Unitarian Universalist Association, Boston, MA
* Rev. Suzanne Meyer, Pastor, First Unitarian Church, St. Louis, MO
* Rev. Judith Meyer, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Santa Monica, CA
* Rev. Mike Morran, First Unitarian Church, Denver, CO
* Rev. Robert Francis Murphy, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Falmouth, MA
* Rev. Dr. G. Penny Nixon, Senior Pastor, MCC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
* Rev. Julie Newhall, Unitarian Universalist Parish Minister, NJ
* Rev. Richard A. Nugent, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, Oakton, VA
* Rabbi Stacy Offner, Shir Tikvah Congregation, Minneapolis, MN
* Rev. Jennifer O'Quill, Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, Chicago, IL
* Rev. Julie Overman, Lake Edge United Church of Christ, Madison, WI
* Rev. Hank Peirce, Unitarian Universalist Church, Medford, MA
* Rev. Brenda Bartella Peterson, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Washington, DC
* Letty Cottin Pogrebin , Bnai Jeshurun synagogue (member), Directors' Council, Harvard Divinity School Women in Religion Program, Cambridge, MA
* Rev. Lisa Presley, Interim Minister, DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church, Naperville, IL
* Dr. Bruce Prescott, Executive Director, Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, Norman, OK
* Fr. Chris Ponnet, St. Camillus Parish, Los Angeles, CA
* Judith Mason Pool, President, Board of Trustees, Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing, NJ
* Rev. Rebecca Quimada-Sienes, Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines
* Rev. Elder Nori J. Rost, Pastor, Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church, Colorado Springs, CO
* Rev. Susan Veronica Rak, Unitarian Universlaist Church of Flushing, Flushing, NY
* Rev. Dr. George F. Regas, Founder, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, Los Angeles, CA
* Rev. Meg A. Riley, Director, Advocacy and Witness Programs, Unitarian Universalist Association
* Rev. Kenneth Read-Brown, First Parish in Hingham, Old Ship Church (Unitarian Universalist), Hingham, MA
* Rev. Dana F. Reynolds, III, Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, GA
* Rev. Dr. Anita Farber-Robertson, Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church of Wollaston in Quincy, MA
* Rev. Ron Robinson, Epiphany Church, Turley, OK
* Willard S. Robinson, Murray Unitarian Universalist Church, Attleboro, MA
* Rev. Sarah Daniels Roncolato, United Methodist Clergy, Meadville PA
* Rev. Carol Rosine, First Universalist Society, Franklin, MA
* Rev. Carol S. Rudisill, Unitarian Universalist minister, Sierra Madre, CA
*
Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice - Los Angeles
* Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Minister, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, Walnut Creek, CA
* John L. Saxon, student, Meadville Lombard Theological School, Chicago, IL
* Rev. Stanley Sears, Minister, The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh, NY
* Rev. Thomas R. Schade, Associate Minister, First Unitarian Church, Worcester, MA
* Rev. Elizabeth Scheuerman, Minister, The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ
* Rev. Kathy Schmitz, All Souls Church, Unitarian Universalist, Braintree, MA
* Rev. C. Wayne Shannon, McFarland United Church of Christ, McFarland, WI
* Rev. Julie-Ann Silberman-Bunn, Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport, Stratford, CT
* Rev. William Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Association, Boston, MA
* Rev. Dr. Joanne C. Sizoo, Presbyterian Church, USA, Charlotte, NC
* Rev. Dr. Brent A. Smith, Minister All Souls Community Church, Unitarian Universalist , Grand Rapids, MI
* Rev. Cynthia Ann Snavely, Goodloe Memorial Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Bowie, MD
* Rev. Charles J. Stephens, minister, Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing, Titusville, NJ
* Rabbi Ron Stern, Stephen S. Wise Temple, Los Angeles, CA
* Rev. Norm Stewart, First Unitarian Church, Louisville, KY
* Rev. Abigail Stockman, Unitarian Universalist, Barrington, RI
* Rev. Barry L. Stopfel, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley, Northumberland, PA
* Rev. Richard M. Stower, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate, MA
* Rev. Sandra L. Strauss, Pennsylvania Council of Churches (though not representing the Council ), Harrisburg, PA
* Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff, Minister, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, Costa Mesa, CA
* Fr. John W. Sweeley, D.D., Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch, Baltimore, MD
* Rev. Krista Taves, First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans, New Orleans LA
* Rev. Rachel Tedesco, Unitarian Universalist Minister, First Parish Church in Taunton (UU), Taunton, MA
* Martin Teitel , Ph.D, Executive Director, Cedar Tree Foundation, Boston , MA
* Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, President, Chicago Theological Seminary
* Alan Stuart-Tilley, Student Minister, First Universalist Church of Assinippi, MA
* Rev. Romal J. Tune, Director African American Ministers Programs, Washington, DC
* Rev.Wanda Veldman, First Congregational UCC, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
*
Rabbi Burtoni L. Visotzky, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY
* Joe Volk, Executive Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Washington, DC
* Rev. Dr. Marlene R. Walker, Uncompahgre Unitarian Universalist Church , Grand Junction, CO
* Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center, Philadelphia, PA
* Rev. Maurine C. Waun, East Suburban Unitarian Universalist Church, Pittsburgh, PA
* Rev. Jim VanderWeele, Community Church Unitarian Universalist, New Orleans, LA
* Rev. Judy Welles, Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley, Boiling Springs, CO
* Rev. Dr. John H. Weston, Settlement Director, Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group,
Unitarian Universalist Association, Boston, MA
* Rev. Dr. David L. Wheeler, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los Angeles, CA
* Rev. Sydney K. Wilde, Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, VA
* Reverend Nathan D Wilson, Minister, Clintonville Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Paris, KY
* Rev. Dr. Charles A. Wolfe, Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison, WI
* Rev. Amy Zucker, Parish Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, CA
* Rev. William P. Zelazny, Unitarian Universalist District Executive, Ballou Channing District - Unitarian Universalist Association, North Providence, RI
* Rev. Jacqueline Ziegler, Unitarian Universalist Minister, Longmont, CO
* Cecilia Marie Zondlo, OSF, Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, Detroit, MI
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