This is a moment of moral urgency.

Dear Senator Collins:

We, the undersigned faith leaders and people of faith and conscience from around the State of Maine, write to you with a sense of moral urgency about the upcoming Supreme Court decision.

As you know, Supreme Court justices serve lifetime appointments. Whoever is confirmed in the weeks ahead will have the power to make decisions that will impact the future of this country for the next 30 or 40 years.

This is a moment when each of us must ask ourselves: What kind of country do we want to live in? What kind of world do we want to leave to our children and grandchildren? And how do the decisions our leaders are making today help to advance that vision or abandon it to the power of money and greed and self-interest?

These questions lead us to deep and urgent concerns about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

A close examination of Judge Kavanaugh’s record provides extensive and indisputable evidence that his confirmation would pose serious threats to so many things our faith traditions call us to care about:

● Healthcare for all, including coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and those who rely on Medicaid: President Trump explicitly stated that he would advance nominees who are hostile to the Affordable Care Act. Judge Kavanaugh has dissented from rulings upholding the ACA, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable to losing their access to healthcare. We are deeply concerned about how he is likely to vote on healthcare matters that disproportionately impact women, people of color, people with disabilities, and low-income families.

● Marriage equality and hard-won LGBTQ rights that prevent discrimination and ensure equal protection: Judge Kavanaugh is being supported by the socially conservative Heritage Foundation, and his rulings suggest that he is persuaded by anti-LGBTQ “religious freedom” arguments.

● Environmental protections: Judge Kavanaugh has an extensive record of ruling against the EPA, discrediting the authority of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, limiting the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases and to protect waterways, and siding with polluters at the expense of public health; in some cases, the Supreme Court has overturned his rulings on environmental protections.

● Civil rights and voting rights: In case after case, Judge Kavanaugh has interpreted the law in ways that benefit the more powerful party, often at the expense of people of color, Native Americans, and immigrant workers; he has upheld discriminatory voting practices, endorsed the myth of “colorblindedness,” and demonstrated a clear priority to privilege the wealthy and powerful.

● Reproductive rights and a woman’s right to choose: Throughout his campaign, President Trump promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade, and it’s clear that this remains his agenda. Judge Kavanaugh praised Justice Rehnquist’s dissent in Roe v. Wade (1973) and Justice Scalia’s dissent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), where each justice rejected the constitutional right to abortion. In a well-publicized case, Judge Kavanaugh rendered decisions to block an unaccompanied immigrant minor from accessing an abortion.

● Workers’ rights: Judge Kavanaugh has sought to limit union rights and dismantle federal workers’ ability to bargain collectively. His record shows a consistent pattern of siding with corporations at the expense of workers.

● Compassionate immigration: Judge Kavanaugh has demonstrated hostility to the rights of immigrants. He dissented in a 2008 case concerning undocumented workers, arguing they can’t be protected under labor laws. He has been described by a Breitbart writer as someone with an “America First” approach who would “share President Trump’s views on immigration.” Kavanaugh would likely cast a deciding vote in key immigration issues looming before the Supreme Court, such as the fate of DACA and issues related to family separation at the border.

● Public education: Judge Kavanaugh previously helped spearhead school-choice-related outreach efforts for the Federalist Society. He has indicated his support for voucher programs and has praised Supreme Court rulings that have allowed public money to be funneled into religious institutions.

For these reasons and more, we are convinced that Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court would result in serious harm to the health and well-being of American people.

Make no mistake: This vote you are now considering will be as consequential as any you have ever considered. The stakes are high. The urgency of this present moment is real. Please carefully and prayerfully consider the moral and ethical implications of your decision.

As clergy, leaders of Maine’s faith communities, and people of faith and conscience from around the state, we urge you — we implore you — to oppose this nomination.

We are uplifting you with prayer as you deliberate.

Respectfully signed,

Reverend Christina Sillari, Unitarian Universalist, Portland
Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Portland
The Rev. Shantia Wright-Gray, United Church of Christ & United Methodist, Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach
The Rev. Dr. Myke Johnson, Unitarian Universalist, Portland
Rev. Dr. Jodi Cohen Hayashida, Unitarian Universalist, Auburn
Rev. Dr. James Gertmenian, United Church of Christ, Cumberland Foreside
Rev. Dr. Larry R. Kalajainen, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Brunswick
Rev. Deborah Shipp, United Methodist, Wells
Reverend Priscilla Dreyman, United Methodist, South Portland
Rev. Sylvia Stocker, Unitarian Universalist, Brunswick
Rev. Barbara A. Kszystyniak, United Methodist, Wells
Pastor Marilyn Noble, United Methodist, Portland
Rev. Peter T. Richardson, Unitarian Universalist, Rockland
Rev. Donald J. Rudalevige, United Methodist, Cape Elizabeth
Rev. Dr. Anita Farber-Robertson, Unitarian Universalist, Portland
The Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Blackstone, United Methodist, Milbridge
Rev. Lori Whittemore, Interfaith, Saco
Peter Wohl, Zen Buddhist, Unity
Rev. Susan J. Maxwell, United Church of Christ, Whiting
Rev. Pamela Gross, Unitarian Universalist, Brunswick
Pastor Norman Boulay, United Methodist, Kennebunk
Rev. Shindo Jim Nowik, Sensei, Soto Zen Buddhism, Oakland
Rev. Lindy Gifford, Interfaith chaplain, Damariscotta
The Rev. Dr. Nina Ranadive Pooley, Episcopal, Yarmouth
Rev. Patricia Bessey, Unity, Casco
Rev. LeRoy Lowell, Unity, Casco
Rev. Emily C. Goodnow, United Church of Christ, Fryeburg
Rev. Jinwoo Chun, The United Methodist Church, Belfast
Rev Bill Leggett, Unitarian Universalist, Scarborough
Rita Moran, Pagan, Winthrop
Pastor Laura E. Church, United Methodist, Vienna
Rev. Vicki Woods, United Methodist, Newport
Rev. Carleton Gunn, United Church of Christ, Sanford
Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson, American Baptist, Portland
Rev. Dr. Bruce P. Burnham, United Church of Christ, Old Town
Rev. Nancee Campbell, Unitarian Universalist, Augusta
Rev. Dr. Charles E. Ihloff, United Church of Christ, Casco
Rev. Jess Wade, Pagan, Milford
Rev. Mandi Gearhart, Pagan, Bangor
Rev. Alysa Lodewick, United Church of Christ, Portland
Rev. Mary Beth Morris, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Scarborough
The Most Rev. Dr. Rosemary Ananis, Old Catholic, Wells
Rev. James W. Anderson, Reformed, Kennebunk
Rev. Dr. Gwendolynn Purushotham, United Methodist, Wells
Rev. Dr. Marvin M. Ellison, Presbyterian Church (USA), Portland
Rev. Diane E. L. Wendorf, United Church of Christ, Sanford
Rev. Samuel M. Johnson, United Methodist, Wells
Rev. Mair Honan, Christian, Freeport
Rev. Linda Littlefield Grenfell, United Methodist, Wells
Rev. Colleen Myers, Interfaith Minister, Portland
The Rev. Cn. Nancy Moore, Episcopal, Norway
Rev. Sally Poland, United Methodist, Ocean Park
Rev. Theodore Poland, United Methodist, Ocean Park
Rev. Dr. Albert Boyce, Unitarian Universalist, Vassalboro
Rev. Michael Davis, United Methodist, Wells
Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill, United Methodist, Portland
Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, United Methodist, Portland
Pastor Mimi Magee, United Methodist, Kennebunk
Rev. James Young, D,Min., United Methodist, Portland
Rev. Dr. Susan Stonestreet, United Church of Christ, Rockport
Rev. Patricia Dubois, United Church of Christ, Alfred
Rev. Dr. Susan E. Davies, United Church of Christ, Veazie
Rev. Dr. Weeza Matthias, Earth based spirituality, Bangor
Rev. Dr. David L. Grainger, United Methodist, East Machias
Rev. Dr. Margaret Sheffield, United Methodist, Scarborough
Rev. Merle G. Steva, United Church of Christ, Saco
Rev. Jeanette A. Good, Ph.d., United Church of Christ, Falmouth
Rev. Catherine Anglea, Congregational Christian, Biddeford
Rev. Lee Ann Betz, Congregational, United Church of Christ, Lincoln
Rev. Thomas A. Kircher, Interfaith, Biddeford
Molly Brewer, ministerial intern, Unitarian Universalist, Portland
Rev. Annette Mott, United Church of Christ, Bowdoinham
Rev. Airin Wolf , Unity, Standish
Rev. Dale Holden, United Church of Christ, Houlton
Rev. Joseph Chamberland, United Methodist, Gray
Pastor Richard Dorian, United Methodist, Wilton
Rev. Mark Monson Alley, United Methodist Church, Wells
Rev. Christina Cataldo, United Church of Christ, Sidney
Rabbi Erica Asch, Jewish, Hallowell
Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor, Jewish, Bath
Rabbi Darah R. Lerner, Jewish, Bangor
The Rev. Mary Lee Wile, Episcopal, Brunswick
Reverend Lorna Grenfell, Christian, Orono
The Rev. Geoff Parker, The United Church of Christ, Bath
Rev. Merlin Littlefield, Paganism, Glenburn
Rev. Mary Hnottavange-Telleen, Unitarian Universalist, Arrowsic
Rabbi Jared H. Saks, Reform Judaism, Portland
Rev. Mr. Marion L. Hopkins, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Hampden
The Rev. T. Richard Snyder, PhD, Presbyterian, Camden
Rev. Jill Job Saxby, Unitarian Universalist, Cape Elizabeth
Rev. Cindy Maddox, United Church of Christ, South Portland
Rev. Dr. Judith Blanchard, United Church of Christ, Freeport
Rev. Ruth Merriam, United Methodist, Brunswick
Rev. Dr. Wanda Stahl, United Methodist, Westbrook
Rev. Mark W. Wendorf, United Church of Christ, Sanford
Rev. Brad Hirst, United Church of Christ, Kittery Point
Rev. Lynne Josselyn, United Methodist, Lubec
Rev. Patricia J Smith, United Church of Christ, York
Rev. Carie Johnsen, Unitarian Universalist, Augusta
Rev. Dr. Robert Grove-Markwood, United Church of Christ, Portland
Rev. Melissa Yosua-Davis, United Methodist, Chebeague Island
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Wright-Gray, American Baptist, Old Orchard Beach
Rev. Rick McKinley, United Methodist, Skowhegan
Cynthia Grimm, Pagan, Auburn
Rev. Sara Bartlett, United Church of Christ (UCC), Auburn
Rev. Kurt Nelson, United Church of Christ, Waterville
Rev. Dr. Andrea Harvey, United Methodist, Gray
Rev. Susan M. Davenport , United Methodist, Surry
Reverend Keri Stratton Alley, Temple of the Feminine Divine, Bangor
Rev. Sharon Sagat-Stover, United Methodist, Waterville
Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern, United Church of Christ, Portland
Cheryl Stratton, United Methodist, Limestone
Rev. Sharon Lovejoy, United Methodist, Brunswick
Rev. Dr. Wesley Palmer, United Methodist, Berwick
Rev. Robert L. Webster, United Methodist, Portland
Diane Dicranian, Quaker, Bath
Rev. Carolyn Lambert, United Church of Christ, Kennebunk
Rev. Joshua J. Sander, United Church of Christ, Lincoln