Clergy: Faith has been hijacked, to seize reproductive freedom. We will pray with our votes.
Rabbi Lindsey Danziger is a senior state organizer at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Rev. Dan Clark is Faith in Public Life Action's Ohio director, and a resident of Licking County. Rev. Raymond E Greene Jr. is the founding executive director of The Freedom BLOC.
Ohio voters made their voices heard August 8 when it defeated a dangerous statewide referendum that would have weakened our democracy.
As Jewish and Christian clergy, our faiths teach us that we love our neighbors by listening to them and the sacred principle of "one person, one vote" is one of the most critical ways we hear the voices and concerns of those around us.
More: Ohio voters reject Issue 1, scoring win for abortion-rights supporters ahead of November
People of faith across the state prayed, organized and voted no on Issue 1 to protect our neighbors and our democracy.
It's no coincidence extreme politicians, lobbyists and special interests attempted to push Issue 1 through as we prepare to vote on a state-wide ballot initiative this fall to secure abortion access.
We all want the freedom to make decisions that impact our lives, and after defeating Issue 1, we can now ensure that the majority of Ohioans will be heard in November.
Rabbis: Abortion 'not only allowed but necessary' under our religious law.
Fighting for our democracy and our freedoms is in the spiritual DNA of our collective and diverse faith traditions.
We have seen throughout history that when people of faith and conscience join together, we can and will protect our communities and hold our leaders accountable.
Across Ohio, we want to create communities that flourish and where everyone can be seen, heard and has what they need to feel whole and be safe.
Defeating Issue 1 is not the end of our work.
Dan Clark: Ohio is part of a shameful trend to erect barriers to voting in America
Dan Clark: Ohio leaders will stain democracy with unloving, undemocratic resolution
Elected officials attempted and failed to undermine our democracy by trying to limit the majority’s power, but together we have shown that Ohioans will not let them take away our freedoms in August nor in November.
Everyone deserves the freedom to make their own reproductive decisions. For too long, faith has been hijacked and used as a weapon to take away pregnant people’s agency and autonomy.
But we know in Ohio, love does not coerce, decide or demand. Love brings choice and empowers us to make our own decisions about what is best for ourselves and our family.
Our faith traditions call for equality and justice so each of us can live compassionate and courageous lives.
We believe that people can be trusted to make their own ethical, moral and faith-informed decisions about their body, family and future.
We also believe that medical providers and patients - not elected officials in the Statehouse - are most equipped to make their own decisions concerning reproductive care, including abortion care.
People of faith prayed with our ballots by voting no on August 8.
Now we are organizing our congregations, communities and neighbors to pray with our ballots again in November to protect reproductive freedom in Ohio.
Vote "yes" to protect abortion access.
Rabbi Lindsey Danziger is a senior state organizer at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. She guides synagogues and clergy across Ohio in their work to organize and mobilize for Jewish values.
Rev. Dan Clark is Faith in Public Life Action's Ohio director, and a resident of Licking County.
Rev. Raymond E Greene Jr. is the founding executive director of The Freedom BLOC, The founding director of The Freedom ROC, and field director for Black Fork Strategies. He has been working as an organizer and electoral operative in Ohio for more than 15 years.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rabbi and reverends: We will fight for Ohio abortion rights in November.
