Erosion of Freedom of Religion (1995)

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees the right of all citizens to enjoy and practice religious freedom; and

WHEREAS, representatives of the fundamentalist right have been elected to local government agencies such as school boards, library boards, and town and city councils, and may well use these positions to further their own agenda; and

WHEREAS, that agenda may include imposing their own religious values and practices on the entire population of a community; and

WHEREAS, THE UNITED SYNGAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM deplores the erosion of the principle of separation of church and state in the United States

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNGAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM urges its affiliated Congregations to educate their members to these issues and concerns so that they will be able to act in accordance with their own beliefs and respond appropriately; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNGAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM through its Regions undertakes a campaign to encourage its constituent Congregations to work for an increase in voter registration, and voter participation, and to also consider accepting responsibility to run for office as a means of combating the erosion of religious freedom in our public sector.