Clergy across state oppose Amendment 1

LEARN MOREPrepare for Election Day by going to www.timesfreepress.com/voterguide for the latest news and opinion about Amendment 1 and other key issues and candidates on the ballot.

We are faith leaders from a variety of religious traditions. Although we hold many different perspectives on the complex moral issues related to parenting and pregnancy, we are united in our opposition to Amendment 1, which would allow the legislature to pass extreme and unlimited restrictions on access to safe and legal abortion.

First, Amendment 1 includes no exceptions for when a woman's health is in danger, or when she has been a victim of rape or incest.

In difficult or tragic circumstances, our religious values affirm that families need compassion, privacy, and respect - not unnecessary barriers to health care.

Second, we know that people hold a variety of beliefs about abortion, both within and across religious traditions. This is both legitimate and to be expected in a country that cherishes freedom of religion. Amendment 1, by contrast, would give the Tennessee legislature unchecked authority to pass laws that represent only one religious perspective on abortion, thus reducing or eliminating options for people with other beliefs.

Third, our religious values call us to care for the poor and marginalized in our communities.

Texts from the Hebrew Bible (If there is among you anyone in need ... do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbor, Deuteronomy 15:7), the Christian Gospels (Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me,' Matthew 25:45) and many other faith traditions affirm that we have a moral obligation to act in the service of others.

Since the negative impact of Amendment 1 would fall most heavily on low-income women and women of color, we must speak out against this injustice.

As people of faith it is our religious and moral duty to take action when policies threaten to make life even harder for those who are already struggling to get by.

As faith leaders committed to showing compassion for those in need, respecting the religious liberty of all people, and caring for the poor and marginalized, we stand united against Amendment 1.

We do not need to agree on abortion to agree that this amendment would harm women and families in Tennessee by taking privacy protections out of the state Constitution.

We, along with more than 100 faith leaders across Tennessee, urge you to join us in voting No on Amendment 1 on November 4.

Rev. Jennie Barber

Rev. Laura Becker

Minister Carl Greene

Rev. Lina Hart

Rev. Carol Howard Merritt

Rev. Robert Stewart

Rev. Tricia Dillon Thomas

Rev. Clay Thomas

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