Death Penalty
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations has been on record since 1961 as opposing capital punishment, and has reaffirmed its position four times since. The first and second principles of Unitarian Universalism summarize the basis of our continued opposition to the death penalty:We, the member congregations...covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
Huge racial disparities clearly illustrate the biased manner in which the death penalty is applied, and there is still no evidence that the death penalty is a deterrent. The United States is unique in the Western world for its continued use of this inhumane practice; other nations join millions of concerned U.S. Americans in viewing the death penalty as barbaric and unnecessary. The UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) urges its member congregations to engage actively in efforts to eliminate the death penalty, to work with other organizations in this effort, and to increase efforts to persuade governors to forego capital punishment.
For more information contact la_racialjustice @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
