Faith in Democracy

8/3/2019 Faith in Democracy

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The Big QuestionsWhy should people of faith participate in politicsand policy?

What aspects of public policy does our faith callus to address?

How can local congregations become effectively

involved in policy advocacy, and integrate it withinthe life of the congregation?


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The Why of

Faith in Democracy?_____________

Why should people of faith participate in

developing public policies?


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What does our faith tell us about our

role in community?


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From Judaism:Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyselfWhat is

hurtful to yourself do not to your fellow man. That is

the whole of the Torah and the remainder is but

commentary.

From Christianity:A new commandment I give to you, That you love oneanother even as I have loved you

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this

is the law and the prophets.


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From Islam:No one is a believer until he loves for his

neighbor, and for his brother, what he loves for

himself.

From Hinduism:A man obtains a proper rule of action bylooking on his neighbor as himself.

From Buddhism:Full of love for all things in the world,

practicing virtue in order to benefit others,

this man alone is happy.


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From Taoism:Regard your neighbors gain as your owngain; and regard your neighbors loss as

your own loss, even as though you were in

their place.

From Native American:God is the Father, Earth the Mother. With

all things and in all things, we are relatives.


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Who is our neighbor?


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There are many neighbors that we never see.


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In the United States, participating in democracyis one important way we love our neighbors,

especially those we never see.


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American democracy is less than 250 years old.

The Founding Fathers were deeply inspired by thevision of a society in which people governedthemselves for the greatest good of all.


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The history of American democracy since 1789has been one ofever increasing

inclusiveness, extending the rights and dignityof citizenship to all adults men and women,

whites and blacks, rich and poor.


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This increasing inclusiveness wasnot only a political struggle - it was amoral and spiritual struggle as well.

The movement to free slaves in themid-1800s drew on Christianteachings.

The Civil Rights movement in themid-1900s drew much of its strengthfrom churches.


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We need our spiritual understanding to continue to guideus today in terms of what is acceptable inequality

and what is an ethical use of the earths limited resources.


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In a democracy we all share responsibility for thepublic policies that structure our lives.

.


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I

n the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus told of theSamaritan who went to help a man who had been beatenand robbed on the road to Jericho.

While charity of this kind is an important way to love onesneighbor, Martin Luther King challenged us to go beyond

charity to justice -


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one day we must come to see that the whole Jerichoroad must be transformed so that men and women will not

be constantly beaten and robbed as they make theirjourney on lifes highway.


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True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar;it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an

edifice that produces beggars needs restructuring.


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Biblical prophets spoke often of righteousness,meaning harmonious balance in all relationships,

reflecting Gods intention that we live in peace andjustice.


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In a democratic society, righteousness means that ourpublic policies establish peaceful and just

relationships among us all.


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Thus, people of faith are called to play a role indeveloping policies that build a just and compassionate

society.

We cannot fully respond to Micahs call to "do justice,

love kindness, and walk humbly with God,"without participating in the democratic process, in

the shaping of the policies that structure our

society.


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The What of

Faith in Democracy

_______________

What aspects of public policy in Texasare we called to address as people of

faith?


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Religious Policy Concerns

Protecting Those MostVulnerable

Stewardship of Human and

Natural Resources

Economic and Racial Injustice

Diversity

Peace


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Some Justice/Stewardship

Concerns in Texas 15% of Texans make less than poverty level ($18,000

for family of four) - one of highest rates in U.S.

One out of every three African American men in Texas

is in the control of the criminal justice system. 23% of children under age of 6 live in poverty.

26% of Texans have no health insurance - highest %of any state in the U.S.

Texas industries release more toxic chemicals thanany other state.

Texas leads the nation in global warming emissions.

Texas has the lowest voter turnout of any state.


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How Are We Guided in

Policy Issues?

B

asic religious teachings Social justice teachings of

denomination or other equivalent body

Group study

Historical experience Scientific studies

Perspectives of experts on issue


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Texas Religious Advocacy

Organizations

Texas Impact

Baptist Christian Life Commission

Texas Catholic Conference

American Jewish Committee

Freedom and Justice Foundation


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Hallmarks ofReligious

Advocacy

Collaborative but focused

Rigorous Relational

Pure but Practical


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Examples of Consensus

Justice Issues in Texas

Gambling

Healthcare Tax Fairness

AirPollution

Wrongful Conviction

Campaign Ethics Public School Funding

Inmate Rehabilitation


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The How of

Faith in Democracy__________

How can a congregation effectivelyinfluence public policy?

How can faith advocacy be integratedwithin the life of the congregation ?


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Faithful Participation in

Democracy Means

learn about the issues

participate in the public policy debate

express your faith values

honordiversity of opinion

work togetherwith others in yourcongregation to be effective advocates


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Options for Congregational

Involvement Hold educational events for congregation

Letter-writing (brunches, parties)

Arrange meetings with legislators

Use newsletter to inform congregation about keyissues

Sponsor candidate forums or other public educationevents


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Suggestions for Building Effective

Programs Get strong board support

Create a committee on justice and advocacy

Select a strong committee chair and activemembers

Educate church members onwhy involvement in policy isvital expression of faith


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OtherTips

Make activities fun andsocial as much as possible!

Keep church leaders in the loop

Tie in issue education with other church activities(youth education, special holy days, etc.)

Provide training in advocacy skills

Build a biannual cycle of activities to match the Texas

legislative cycle


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Democracy All Year Long

January, February, MarchPrecinct how-to trainingGet-out-the-vote campaignsCandidate forumsIssue forumsLobby eventsBriefingsIn-district events/legislator access

April, May, June

Candidate forumsIssue forumsRecognizing and celebrating

September, October, November, DecemberVoter registration drivesPrecinct how-toGet-out-the-vote campaignsCandidate forums

July and August

Candidate forumsVoter registration drivesLocal leadership development


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This is an opportunity for us to live our deepest

values, guided by our faith, in a way that builds the

society ourprophets and spiritual leaders

envisioned.


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Human progress never rolls in on wheels ofinevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of

men willing to be co-workers with God, and without

this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the

forces of social stagnation. We must use time

creatively, in the knowledge that the time is alwaysripe to do right.

Martin Luther King


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For more information contact:

Bee Moorhead

Executive Director

Texas Impact512.472.3903

[email protected]

http://www.texasimpact.com

Documents

Faith in Democracy