Sunday Service First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus March 17, 2019 Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart. Excerpt: Video and Remarks. Video Introduction

Transcription

1 Sunday Service First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus March 17, 2019 Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart Excerpt: Video and Remarks Video Introduction This morning I d like to share with you the video of my testimony at the State House on Dec. 11 th. The occasion was the proposed bill to ban abortions after 6-weeks. I was allotted three minutes, and most of you have heard or read what I said. Usually there are no follow up questions. But after my testimony, there were questions. I want you to hear them. As you watch the video, I d like for you to listen for the underlying framework, belief system, and world view. I believe that regardless of what we say, it is not effective unless we can hear the other person s motivating factors. I invite you to listen deeper VIDEO Full video of hearing: Rev. Marian s testimony begins at 37:53. 1

2 REMARKS Full disclosure: I have never had an abortion and I love children I have a sister and mother who both suffered miscarriages I have friends who have faced dire medical conditions whose lives were saved by abortions I have friends who were victims of incest who needed an abortion I have friends who were raped who needed an abortion Under some state laws today, my mother and sister could have been jailed for murder. Some of these women would not be alive today if they had not had an abortion. Some of these women s lives would have drastically changed if abortion was not an option. Many women left the religion of their childhood feeling shamed. As a minster, I heard stories and counseled women in times of need. Elders tell me about coat hangers, steel blades, and tummies as punching bags. I ve had conversation with women taking bathroom breaks from anit-abortion picket lines, tell me that they ve had abortions but they would lose their community if anyone found out. The issue is complex. We are a religion. And we value all life. How does that show up in our lives? In the video, there were three senators who questioned me. The first, Sen. Peggy Lehner, District 6 from Kettering focused mostly on crime rates since abortion became legal. The Senator placed a cause and effect relationship on abortion and crime. She rocked my sense of sanity, not only because I thought she was purveying mis-information, but I thought crime rates had fallen over recent decades. I could not prove that on the spot. Here are the stats: 2

3 Public Records Search for Crime Rates 1973 population 210m crime 8.7m, 4% 2017 population 326m crime 9m,.027% There are all sorts of things that have happened since Roe v. Wade was decided in Jan In 1973 alone, the ATM machine was patented the first mobile phone was produced the American Psychiatric Association officially declared homosexuality not a mental disorder A few years later, in 1980, the launch of CNN began a cable news frenzy of 24/7 news that gradually became a hungry ghost for sensational journalism. Crime sells ads much better than good news. No wonder we think the world is awful. If you want cause and effect, its complicated. There are lots of places to look. I ll end my reflection for Sen. Lehner with this. If you are comparing 1973 to now, the number of women in the halls of power have drastically increased since women had the freedom to control their own bodies. Madame Senator, this is true in Ohio too. The second line of questioning was from Sen. Charletta Tavares from District 15 in Columbus. She was supportive and talked about addressing poverty and other issues that not only affect children and mothers, but how poverty is perpetuated. Poverty rates in Ohio in 1973 were 8.1% compared to a U.S. rate of 11.1% In 2017, Ohio s poverty rate increased to 14% compared to a U.S. rate of 13.4%. That is a six point difference which translates to a 73% rise in poverty in Ohio! Today, 513,000 children live in poverty in this state. That is one in five children right here

4 Clearly, there is much work to do to address poverty. It is a complex issue. I would argue that increased inequality is much more a factor in worsening these rates than giving women reproductive rights. The final set of questions came from Sen. Jay Hottinger, District 31 in Newark. Right away he launched into baiting me with questions centered one just how late up to the point of delivery that I thought abortion would be OK. That is bizarre. Even Roe v. Wade limits abortion at the point of viability. Over time and with medical improvements, the viability point has shifted. I don t believe his question was designed for anything but an out of context got-cha quote. However, Sen. Hottinger was the closest to bringing up his religious views that supported his position. He declared that he believed life begins at conception. That is a tough belief to argue with if it is based solely on belief, whether religious or personal. Beliefs are complex and we all have them. Where I find it difficult is that a single person s belief can override all women in a state. I also question a belief system, indeed thousands of years of religious history, in lifting up male figures as god, savior, king, and so on. This is not to disparage men. It is a plea for equality. Most interpretations of religion do not offer equality or even respect for both genders as fully capable human beings without pre-determined and detrimental notions of gender and roles. There is a rise against this form of patriarchy at all levels of society, especially religion. I won t even get into male priesthood and the Catholic church situation which is replicated in high numbers in other male-dominated denominations as well. I believe women s cry for reproductive choice is a deep yearning for control not over the world or even religion, but a personal need for control over her own body. Our bodies. What role does religion play in women s rights today? I say it is huge. It is also subject of huge backlash. The numbers of people attending traditional religious services in the U.S. is declining rapidly. Is there a correaltion? I believe people, including women, want freedom and respect. Over the decades, Unitarian Universalist ministers, leaders, and lay people have worked for reproductive justice. We have helped start clinics and healthcare services for women and families. We have lobbied and voted. We have marched and protested. And we have spoken up. 4

5 The heartbeat that I hear is not one that I hear that limits freedom. The heartbeat that I hear is one that supports life. All life. And that means addressing what it means to be human and be treated as such. No one should live in poverty. No one should die while pregnant because lack of legal and safe services. No one should be shamed or jailed for losing an unborn fetus. No one should be raped and made to carry the burden. No one should be subject to gender-based discrimination in any form. And no one should be able to use religion religion that should help us find meaning, lift us up, and give hope as a tool of patriarchy and control. This is Surely, we can do better. I am glad Unitarian Universalism supports freedom for all, including the inherent worth and dignity of every person. To do that however, means we need to listen. Even when we don t agree. Listening not only helps us hear the other person, it makes us understand ourselves better. Blessed be and amen. 5