Clergy for Choice Central Coast is a coalition of more than 80 faith leaders from Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Unitarian Universalist, and other religious traditions in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. We believe that the intimate and personal decisions around reproductive health belong, not in the hands of politicians, but in the hearts of individuals making choices about their own lives.
Too often, people assume that religious leaders are united in their opposition to abortion and reproductive rights. But, just like an overwhelming majority of Americans, many of us affirm that these complex decisions are best handled in the privacy of a doctor’s office or, if they so choose, in counsel with their own minister, rabbi, priest, or other religious advisor. For example, Catholics for Choice remind us that 68 percent of Catholics did not want Roe overturned.
With Californians having received their ballots, we want to provide resources for voters who see reproductive rights as a top priority. From your local school boards and other local races, we recommend you go to the Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund website for their Voter Guide, www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-central-coast-action-fund/elections
Steering Committee for Clergy for Choice Central Coast,
Rev. Mark Asman, Santa Barbara
Rev. Caroline Hall, Los Osos
Rev. Julia Hamilton, Santa Barbara
Rabbi Micah Hyman, San Luis Obispo
Rabbi Michael Lotker, Camarillo
Rev. David Moore, Santa Barbara
Rev. Betty Stapleford, Thousand Oaks