Minister’s Column
Yesterday was election day: a very quiet one in Mount Pleasant Michigan with just one local race on the ballot; and an important one in neighboring Ohio where a state-wide abortion rights amendment passed with strong support. I am reflecting on the trends in politics and society in this country through a spiritual lens.
In terms of Unitarian Universalist values, bodily autonomy for women has been a clear value for a long time. Statements of support for abortion care have been issued by our national convention, and therefore stand as official policy statements for this denomination. Taking value-based positions on political issues is recognized as being appropriate for religious congregations and clergy, whereas supporting individual candidates is not. Celebrating the victory of this ballot initiative in Ohio, therefore, is a UU stance. It’s also personal for me, because I lived in that state for 17 years, raised my kids there, and have many loved ones there who will directly and indirectly benefit from this vote.
I follow politics nearly every day on the news and on social media. This habit leads me to a mind-set of winning and losing; to anxiety about the give and take of political parties and the values they represent; and to a desire for politicians who have broken the law to be held accountable by the courts. All of these things are related: political parties; the court cases involving Donald Trump; and the elections last night including the victory to abortion rights. Last night’s results are good news and a win, to be sure. The spiritual task for me is to keep these things in perspective and to remember that deeper things in life are not defined by winning and losing: love and relationships; building community; connecting to the divine within me and beyond me. These things truly transcend politics. Therefore two things are true: I must remain engaged with politics for the rights and dignity and safety of my fellow human beings (especially pregnant women in this case); and I must put all these concerns into perspective with the highest purpose of my life to love and be loved, to serve humanity and all of creation by making the world a better place to the best of my ability.
PRAYER:
May all women and all people enjoy the right to make decisions about their own bodies.
May all those who fight for political freedom and for human rights be blessed.
May all of us be appropriately engaged in politics and public policy, while maintaining a healthy perspective about love and family and our spiritual well-being.
Blessed be.
Rev. Drew Frantz
November 8, 2023