The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

Each year the UUA selects initiatives for study or action at its annual General Assembly. These are chosen from balloting by member congregations voting for those they feel are most important to the Association as its agenda for the coming year. Those adopted at the 2004 GA will form the basis for a Statement of Conscience to be adopted in 2006. A brief summary of the four proposals is below. Full text of these measures may be viewed on line at www.uua.org/ga/business/ and are also available in Hanneman Hall. You will find a ballot in your March 28 order of service, to be marked and filed after our regular service on that day. You may vote "yes" for one, more than one, or even all of the issues below. . Please review them; come prepared to vote your choices. 

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

S-1 Civil Marriage Equality.

Issue: What can Unitarian Universalists do to promote the understanding of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples?

• Why do couples form relationships and does this differ for same-sex and opposite-sex couples?
• What are the rights, benefits, and protections of marriage and should anyone be denied those rights?
• What is the status of legislation related to this issue in your state?
• How do Unitarian Universalist principles of justice and equity apply to civil marriage equality?

• Study the issue and educate yourself, your congregation, community and political leaders
• Join or start a local coalition working on civil marriage equality

Related Prior UUA Actions: www.uua.org/news/2004/freedomtomarry summarizes the30-year history of UUA support for civil marriage

Issue: How can Unitarian Universalists work to end the injustices perpetuated against women around the world?

• What has happened since the Beijing Accords created at the U.N. Fourth World Conference on the Status of Women? What can U Us do to ensure implementation of these accords?
• Is "cultural relativism" an adequate defense of oppressive practices in other cultures and religions? How can we dismantle current cultural and religious practices so women’s human rights to get basic and equal education and health care may be recognized and respected throughout the world?
• How does American foreign policy pepetuate the curtailment of women’s rights in other parts of the world?

• Collaborate with the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, the UUA Service Committee, Amnesty International and other organizations advocating women’s rights
• Lobby members of congress to develop responsible foreign policy to prevent the oppression of women

Prior Social Witness Statements: Population and Development (1996 Gen); Human Rights Conventions (1965 Gen)

Issue: How can we slow the massive extinction of other species and ensure the continuation of life on earth?

• How does the American lifestyle -what we eat, where we work, etc.- impact the survival of other species?
• What steps can be taken to preserve natural habitat, including rainforest, coral reefs, and other regions rich in biodiversity: How does our petroleum-based economy affect the Earth’s ability to support life?
• Can UUs provide a spiritual vision that will motivate people to cherish other living creatures and protect the continuum of life on earth?

• Partner environmental organizations to develop service/learning opportunities for youth and adults
• Work to strengthen the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Prior Social Witness Statements: Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative (SOC 2001) Unitarian Universalist Statement on Survival and Population Control (Gen 1970)

Issue: What can Unitarian Universalists do to promote individual and collective changes in the way we live and work in order to slow and ultimately reverse global warming?

• Do we know enough to be confident that the earth’s climate is in fact changing in ways that are likely to severely impact life if it continues? What is the point at which global warming becomes irreversible? How does science answer those who dispute the increasing evidence of global warming?
• How realistic are the prospects that fundamentally new technologies, such as energy from hydrogen or the sun will bring the problem under control and enable us to maintain the life style we have become accustomed to?
• What are the economic and political forces in our society that for reasons of self-interest don’t want the question of global warming to be taken seriously? Why is there so little public concern about what is going on?
• What are other faith traditions doing nationally and/or locally to take action on this issue? Are there opportunities for joining forces with them?
• Should a centralized leadership effort focus on climate changes be established in the UUA?

• Adopt socially responsible investing practices that consider environmental impacts
• Engage other faith communities, environmental groups, and other community organizations to advocate for government programs and policies that reduce reliance upon fossil fuels

Prior Social Witness Statements: Responsible Consumption is a Moral Imperative (SOC 2001) Protecting the Biosphere (1989 Gen)