Statement Voicing Religious Opposition to Overturning Roe v. Wade, Vowing Immediate Action to Protect Abortion Access
Beacon Congregation Voices Religious Opposition to Overturning Roe v. Wade,
Vows Immediate Action to Protect Abortion Access
June 24, 2022 -- Summit, NJ -- The leadership of Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, New Jersey, is expressing their opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade and restricts abortion access. Beacon invites all people who are in moral and faithful opposition to a time of conversation, lament, and mutual support this Sunday, June 26, at 2 PM in the sanctuary of Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, located at 4 Waldron Avenue, Summit, NJ. All participants are asked to wear masks and abide by community guidelines, which will be shared upon arrival.
Beacon will also be providing support to local clinics providing abortions, fundraising for the NJ Abortion Access Fund and continuing its reproductive justice advocacy.
Rev. Emilie Boggis, a member of Beacon’s Lead Ministry Team, has received training from the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity. “Let’s be clear: there is more than one religious voice on abortion. You can be religious and be pro-choice. In fact, advocating for reproductive justice is an act of faith. Let’s also be clear that our sacred texts and stories are being distorted to disadvantage people’s lives, to give power to a few and oppress the majority. As Unitarian Universalists, our faith informs our advocacy,” says Rev. Boggis.
Unitarian Universalism supports reproductive justice including that:
people of all identities and experiences have access to affirming, affordable health care, including reproductive care and abortion;
people of every age can access comprehensive, sex-positive, fact-based sexuality education;
people are empowered and supported to choose when, how, and if they will have children;
our institutions and communities actively work to eradicate sexual violence, abuse, and coercion, and to heal the wounds of such harm;
people are supported to make informed, values-aligned decisions about their sexual and reproductive health throughout their lives.
Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner, a member of Beacon’s Lead Ministry Team, explains, “Banning legal abortions will not decrease the number of abortions. It will increase the death of pregnant people, specifically pregnant people who cannot access safe, legal abortions provided by a healthcare professional. We know that access will be denied disproportionately to poor, LGBTQ and people who are Black or Indigenous and people of color. As a faith affirming equity, life, and human dignity, we are in moral and faithful opposition to this ruling.”
Dr. Tuli Patel, Beacon’s Executive Director and Lead Ministry Team member, and the team lead for youth and children's programs adds, “In our values-based sex education programs, called Our Whole Lives, we work with children and youth to help them understand that they are whole, holy and have bodily autonomy. With this decision from the Supreme Court, we are lying to them.”
In response to the anticipated Supreme Court decision, Beacon created a Reproductive Justice Team, who will be coordinating with local clinics to support increased needs as demand rises for reproductive care in states that maintain its legal status. In addition, Beacon will be collecting donations for abortion funds to support infrastructure in New Jersey and beyond.
Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation is a regional congregation located in Summit, NJ. Beacon’s mission is to be a radically inclusive community that feeds the human spirit and heals the world. In-person and virtual services are offered every Sunday, offering spiritual care and adult community groups, vibrant programs for children and youth, and a deep commitment to social justice. For more information, please visit the website at summitbeacon.org or follow Beacon on Facebook at facebook.com/summitbeacon.org.
