Congregational Statements of Conscience

Our congregation has issued several statements of conscience which reflect our values on social justice issues.  Statements of conscience must be endorsed by two thirds of the members present at a congregational meeting.

Marriage Equality (2004)

We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, affirm the basic right of same-gender couples to marry and to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitments of civil marriage.

Death Penalty (2007)

WHEREAS, respect for the value of every human life must be incorporated into our laws if it is to be observed by our people; and

WHEREAS, modern justice should concern itself with rehabilitation, not retribution; and WHEREAS, capital punishment is not an effective deterrent to crime; and

WHEREAS, a death sentence is dependent upon the competency and integrity of the prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and jurors involved in the case, and no penalty should be used which cannot be revoked in case of error;

WHEREAS, capital punishment has not always been used impartially among all economic and racial groups in America;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh urges the NC General Assembly to enact legislation to end the Death Penalty; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to all Wake County members of the General Assembly, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the Governor of North Carolina.