Religious Leaders Decry Attacks on Religious Liberty
Inherent in Impending Senate 'Nuclear Option' Vote

(May 19, 2005) As the Senate begins debate on the nominations of Janice Rogers Brown and Pricilla Owen, a vote on the so-called nuclear option to cut off filibusters against judicial nominees is expected in the Senate in the next week. The leaders of many religious organizations have expressed deep concern over attacks on religious liberty which underly the legislative impasse which exists in the US Senate.

The Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association said in a statement issued last month , “No one religious group or political party can ever hold a monopoly on spiritual conviction,” said Rev. Sinkford. “In fact, political opinions vary widely even within particular faith communities. Within my own tradition, Unitarian Universalists experience diversity of opinion as a true blessing. Many different theological viewpoints are able to thrive within our congregations because we have agreed that we need not think alike to love alike.”

Sinkford continued, “To claim that minority-party senators and their supporters are acting ‘against people of faith’ because they wish to preserve the Senate filibuster is an affront to millions of devout Americans.”

“Senator Frist has crossed an important line in our American tradition,” concluded Rev. Sinkford. “The Constitution wisely ensures that there are no religious tests for political offices. While private groups, including churches, have a guaranteed right to speak out on social issues, a democracy's highest elected leaders must hold themselves accountable to all of ‘we, the people.' I believe that Senator Frist has a moral responsibility to declare unequivocally that the political views of the American people do not define the depth or quality of their faith. Our nation was founded on this inspired principle, and we imperil the precious freedoms of all our citizens when we cease to honor and protect the separation of church and state.”

The impasse in the Senate, and its wide-reaching implication for restricting diversity of opinion and religious beliefs from being heard and valued, provides an opportunity for Unitarian Univeralists to speak publicly on this issue.

Sign a petition to oppose the Nuclear Option TODAY!

For further information:

• Action Alert from the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy - Download Action Alert Flyer
• Talking Points for People of Faith from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
• Talking Points from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

Opinions:

• Frist & Delay: Insulting Our Religions - And Outlawing Their Practice by Rabbi Arthur Waskow
• Sermon: "The Real Nuclear Option: Justice Sunday is Anything But" by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Meadville/Lombard Theological School - Chicago, IL
• Commentary in the media on the importance of maintaining Senate rules that permit the filibuster option from earthjustice.org

Correspondence:

• UUA Letter Opposing Suppression of Filibusters (May 17)
• UUA Letter Opposing Nomination of Judge Rogers Brown (May 18)
• UUA Letter Opposing Nomination of Judge Owen (May 18)
• Leadership Conference on Civil Rights from the African American Ministers in Action (May 10)
• Letter to Sen. Frist and Sen. Reid from the African American Ministers in Action (May 6)
• Press Release from the National Council of Churches (May 6)
• Letter from Pennsylvania religious leaders to Sen. Arlen Specter (May 10)
• Letter to Sens. Frist and Reid from 142 religious and civic organizations (April 12)

Additional Resources:

• Petition from People For the American Way - available for signatures
• Facts from Saveourcourts.org on the most controversial court nominees
• Media Watch database on Saveourcourts.org with interactive map searching
• Visit your senators this week alert

Write to your Senator today! (Sample Letter )

If you are a member of the clergy or lay leader interested in playing a key role in the fight to preserve the filibuster, please contact Megan Joiner in the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy at mjoiner@uua.org or (202) 296-4672, ext. 12."

Unitarian Universalist Association
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