Faith in Democracy

The Why, What and How of Religious Social Action

The Big Questions

Why should people of faith participate in politics and policy?
What aspects of public policy does our faith call us to
address?

How can local congregations become effectively involved in

policy advocacy, and integrate it within the life of the congregation?

The Why of Faith in Democracy?

_____________

Why should people of faith participate in developing public policies?

What does our faith tell us about our role in community?

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 one another 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.

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 by looking 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.

From Taoism:
Regard your neighbors gain as your own gain; 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.

Who is our neighbor?

There are many neighbors that we never see.

In the United States, participating in democracy is one important way we love our neighbors, especially those we never see.

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

The What of Faith in Democracy

_______________ What aspects of public policy in Texas are we called to address as people of faith?

Faith and Policy

Protecting the Most Vulnerable Stewardship of Human and Natural Resources Economic and Racial Injustice Diversity Peace

Religious Policy Concerns

Protecting Those Most Vulnerable Stewardship of Human and Natural Resources Economic and Racial Injustice Diversity Peace

How Are We Guided in Policy Issues?

Basic religious teachings Social justice teachings of denomination or other equivalent body Group study Historical experience Scientific studies Perspectives of experts on issue

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Scripture

Experience

Reason Tradition

Examples of Consensus Justice Issues in Texas

Gambling Healthcare Tax Fairness Air Pollution Wrongful Conviction Campaign Ethics Public School Funding Inmate Rehabilitation

Texas Religious Advocacy Organizations

Texas Impact Baptist Christian Life Commission Texas Catholic Conference American Jewish Committee Freedom and Justice Foundation

The How of Faith in Democracy

__________
How can a congregation effectively influence public policy? How can faith advocacy be integrated within the life of the congregation ?

Faithful Participation in Democracy Means

the issues learn about in the public policy debate participate faith values express your of opinion diversity honortogether with others in your work congregation to be effective advocates

Interacting with the Legislative Process

www.capitol.state.tx.us National model of transparency Just like being therealmost!

People

Bills

Committees

Making Your Voice Count

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

WHO do you need to influence?

Your member Legislative staff Leadership Another influencer An outside group

WHAT do you want from them?

Promise to do something? Vote on specific bill? Talk to someone for you? Pass a resolution, send a letter, sign a postcard, come to an event?

WHEN do you need to get your message out?

Do you want them to file a bill? Do you want them to support a bill or concept? Do you want them to support or oppose specific amendments? Do you want them to try to kill a bill?

WHERE is the best place to communicate with them?

In their district office? At the Capitol? In public? In private?

WHY should they listen to YOU? Constituent Group Member Expert Stakeholder Taxpayer Trusted Voice

First Level Engagement

Emails Petitions Demonstrations/vigils

Impersonal, little effort

Second Level Engagement

Letters Phone calls

Personal, little effort

Third Level Engagement

Letters to the editor Testimony Press conferences

Impersonal, big effort

Fourth Level Engagement

Personal Meetings

Personal, big effort

The Magic Formula

(works with non-legislators, too!)
WERE ALL BUSY, SO.
No creative writing No mystery stories Think elevator speech

1-2-3
1. Who you are, and why they should care 2. What youre concerned about 3. The legislative outcome you want

Inside The Pink Building

Have a successful meeting: Make an appointment, even at the last minute Take one or two leave-behinds Practice your talking points Set your priorities Know your time constraints Know what you want to achieve Love the staff Thank everyone

Have Fun!