CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

The following General Resolution was passed by a vote of two thirds or more at the 1961 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

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, it has not been proved that fear of capital punishment is a deterrent to crime; and

WHEREAS, human judgements are not infallible, and no penalty should be used which cannot be revoked in case of error, and

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 Association urges its churches and fellowships in the United States and Canada to exert all reasonableness efforts toward the elimination of capital punishment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution be sent to the Governors of all states in which capital punishment has not yet been eliminated, and to the Canadian Minister of Justice.

The following General Resolution was passed by a vote of two thirds or more at the 1979 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

WHEREAS, General Assemblies to the Unitarian Universalist Association have opposed capital punishment by Resolution in 1961, 1966 and 1974; and

WHEREAS, the aforementioned Resolutions have urged complete abolition of capital punishment as inconsistent with respect for human life; for its retributive, discriminatory, and nondeterrent character; and opposed its restoration or continuance in any form; and

WHEREAS, the State of Florida has declared its intent to proceed with the executions of those under capital sentence in Florida prisons, numbering more than one hundred and having begun with the execution of John Spenkelink on May 25, 1979; and

BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1979 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges the Governor of the state of Florida to commute all existing death sentences; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the General Assembly urges governors of all other states similarly to commute death sentences to prevent the restoration or continuance of capital punishment.

Unitarian Universalist Association

25 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02108