A Unitarian, a Buddhist, and a Jew

Two religious leaders — a Unitarian and a Buddhist — plan to join a South Florida rabbi in challenging a new Florida law banning abortions after 15 weeks, arguing it violates more than one Section of the Florida Constitution, particularly those which define the rights to privacy and freedom of religion. (While the lawsuits in question don't reference it, Amendment 14 of the United States Constitution also applies in this context.)

The retired Unitarian minister Rev. Harris Riordan, and the Buddhist minister Maya Malay confirmed they will file a lawsuit in state court next week, echoing Rabbi Barry Silver's position. Silver, along with Rabbi Arthur Wascow, the founder and director of the progressive Jewish organization the Shalom Center, intends to file an amended complaint in the same timeframe.

We are excited to expand this lawsuit to include outstanding representatives of the Buddhist and Unitarian traditions, Silver said. Maya Malay and Harris Riordan are wonderful teachers of their own traditions and have dedicated their lives to improving the world for people of all faiths and religions. Then Silver added We look forward to building coalitions with people of all faiths and backgrounds, including atheists and freethinkers, to repair the wall of separation between church and state and to unite the people of the world to protect human rights and save our precious planet.

Silver's synagogue, Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor in Palm Beach County, originally filed a lawsuit over the Florida law before it took effect July 1. In his updated complaint, the rabbi will add his name as an individual plaintiff. In addition, Silver has retained the legal counsel of David Ferleger, a Philadelphia attorney who has argued five times before the U.S. Supreme Court; Ferleger will also represent Riordan and Malay, Ferleger said in a statement. This … abortion law forces Jews to surrender their religious beliefs.

Too bad that some of those who voted for Ron Desantis weren't able to see past his inane Trump-loving campaign videos ...