[uua_l@uua.org: [UUA-L] Letter to UUs on Health Care Debate from UUA President Peter Morales]
wo...@wolves.durham.nc.us
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:01:35 -0400
From: Unitarian Universalist Association <uu...@uua.org>
To: uu...@lists.uua.org
Subject: [UUA-L] Letter to UUs on Health Care Debate from UUA President
Peter Morales
Friends,
The current hysteria and rancor in the debate over health care policy
are profoundly disturbing. The issues here go far beyond normal public
policy debate. Religious principles central to our shared Unitarian
Universalist (UU) faith are involved.
The first religious principle at stake is compassion. We must be a
strong, persistent voice that reminds our nation and our leaders that
compassion is central to all major faith traditions. We must insist that
health care reform protects those without political clout: children, the
poor, the disabled, the elderly. To stand on the side of love is to
stand with those who are on the margins.
The second principle of our faith we must affirm today is our commitment
to the democratic process. We are witnessing cynical demagoguery that
plays on fear in order to defend privilege. There is no place for
intimidation in our public discussion. Demagogues foment fear and panic
that lead to violence. As religious people we must oppose intimidation.
True democracy can only exist where each voice is heard, where debate is
open and civil, where people can disagree without being threatened. Good
people can and do disagree about health care policy. However, we must
all join together to demand open, respectful debate.
As religious people, let us insist on two things: We must create a
health care system that protects the most vulnerable, and we must insist
on a democratic process that is open to all.
Faithfully,
Peter Morales
The complete text of Rev. Morales' letter is at
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/145341.shtml .
Rev. Morales comments on the health care debate:
http://www.uua.org/videos/index.php?movie=peter_morales/0908_peter_healt
h_care_debate.mp4
_______________________________________________
UUA-L mailing list
UU...@lists.uua.org
http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/uua-l
----- End forwarded message -----
--
soc.religion.unitarian-univ is a moderated newsgroup. Please mail messages to
u...@iecc.com, and see http://sruu.iecc.com for the FAQ and posting policy.