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Faith inDemocracyThe Why, What and How of Religious SocialAction
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The Big Questions
Why should people of faith participate in politics and policy?
What aspects of public policy does our faith call us toaddress?
Howcan local congregations become effectively involved inpolicy advocacy, and integrate it within the 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 ourrole in community?
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From Judaism:Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyselfWhat ishurtful 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 haveloved 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 forhimself.
From Hinduism:A man obtains a proper rule of action by looking on hisneighbor 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. Withall 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 democracy
is one important way we love our neighbors,especially those we never see.
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In a democracy we all share responsibility for the
public policies that structure our lives.
.
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The What ofFaith in Democracy
_______________
Whataspects of public policy in Texas
are we called to address as people of
faith?
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Faith and Policy
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Stewardship of Human and Natural Resources
Economic and Racial Injustice
Diversity Peace
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Religious Policy Concerns
Protecting Those Most
Vulnerable
Stewardship of Human and
Natural Resources Economic and Racial Injustice
Diversity
Peace
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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
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The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
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Scripture
Tradition
Experience
Reason
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Examples of ConsensusJustice Issues in Texas
Gambling
Healthcare Tax Fairness
Air Pollution
Wrongful Conviction
Campaign Ethics Public School Funding
Inmate Rehabilitation
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Texas Religious AdvocacyOrganizations
Texas Impact
Baptist Christian Life Commission Texas Catholic Conference
American Jewish Committee
Freedom and Justice Foundation
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The How of
Faith in Democracy__________
How can a congregation effectively
influence public policy?
How can faith advocacy be integratedwithin the life of the congregation ?
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Faithful Participation inDemocracy Means
learn about the issuesparticipate in the public policy debate
express your faith values
honor diversity of opinionwork together with others in yourcongregation to be effective advocates
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Interacting with the Legislative Process
www.capitol.state.tx.us
National model of transparency
Just like being therealmost!
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People
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Bills
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Committees
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Making Your Voice Count
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
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WHO do you need to influence?
Your member
Legislative staff
Leadership
Another influencer
An outside group
f
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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
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WHEN do you need to get yourmessage out?
Do you want them to file abill?
Do you want them to
support a bill or concept? Do you want them to
support or oppose specificamendments?
Do you want them to try tokill a bill?
WHERE is the best place to
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WHERE is the best place tocommunicate with them?
In their district office?
At the Capitol?
In public?
In private?
s ou ey s en o
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s ou ey s en o
Constituent
Group Member
Expert
StakeholderTaxpayer
Trusted Voice
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First Level Engagement
Emails
Petitions
Demonstrations/vigils
Impersonal, little effort
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Second Level Engagement
Letters Phone calls
Personal, little effort
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Third Level Engagement
Letters to the editor Testimony
Press conferences
Impersonal, big effort
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Fourth Level Engagement
Personal Meetings
Personal, big effort
The Magic Formula
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The Magic Formula(works with non-legislators, too!)
WERE ALL BUSY, SO.
No creative writing
No mystery stories
Think elevator speech
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1-2-31. Who you are, and why they should care
2. What youre concerned about
3. The legislative outcome you want
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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!
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