Progressive US Christians issue voter values guide
-10/10/06
The Christian Alliance fo
Progressive US Christians issue voter values guide
-10/10/06
The Christian Alliance for Progress in the United States, which is galvanizing Christians to resist the ëpartisan political agendaí of the religious right, has issued a Voter Values Guide for the forthcoming US elections.
But it stresses that it is not campaigning for a particular party, specific candidates or for ëChristian politiciansí. Rather it wants to ask questions of all of them.
CAP says that its aim is a non-partisan approach: ìWe believe that issues raised in this guide can give solid direction to American voters who want decisions about their votes to be grounded in the life and work of Jesus Christ.î
The Alliance goes on: ìNone of us has access to the mind of God, to know with absolute certainty what it is that God wants each of us to do individually or America collectively. We do, however, have the scripture and two millennia of Christian ethical and theological teaching as guides. Having sought the direction of the Spirit as we have reflected on the core texts and traditions of our faith, we have developed some fundamental questions concerning the crucial issues of the day that every voter can ask of candidates who stand for election in their communities.î
It continues: ìThis is not about partisan politics. Nor is it about selecting the ëChristianí candidate, for sometimes the best candidate will be a Jew or Muslim or even a person of no faith tradition whatsoever, for we would prefer an atheist or a Buddhist or a Hindu who cares for the needs of those at the margins of society over someone of our own faith who will ignore them.î
Concludes Christian Alliance for Progress: ìAt issue therefore is not what party a person represents or what religion they profess but rather the ways in which the values each candidate espouses will work to enhance the lives of neighbours near and far, as both testaments of the Christian scriptures demand.î
The guide and its links are as follows:
Christian Voters Values Guide 2006
For the past twenty years, the Christian Right has distorted the meaning of ìChristian valuesî in pursuit of a partisan political agenda. We at the Christian Alliance for Progress have a different vision, one that springs from our deeply held belief in the Gospels as a guide for moral and political behavior.
As progressive Christians, here are some questions to ask your elected officials as you vote in the 2006 elections.
Caring For “The Least of These” – Pursuing Economic Justice
The Jesus of the Gospels calls us to good stewardship, justice, and care for “the least of these.” We call on our nation’s leaders to seek economic justice in the management of the world’s wealth and to enhance efforts to reduce poverty.
Questions: Did your elected official support an increase in the Minimum Wage? Did they oppose estate tax cuts for the super-wealthy and cuts to human services programs?
Forsaking Brute Power – Seeking Peace, Not War
Jesus knew power and he knew it could be used for justice or for conquest. Over and over, Jesus blessed his followers with peace and urged them to peace. Following his example, we call for restraint – not aggression – in the exercise of our nation’s power.
Questions: Does your representative want to develop a strategy to withdraw US troops from Iraq and to provide for a peaceful transition there? Has your representative spoken out against torture and in support of Middle East peace and international law?
Caring for the Earth – Responsible Environmental Stewardship for Today
Jesus urged his followers to be good stewards and to act for good in the world here and now. We respond by caring for God’s created world today, holding our environment in trust for our children.
Questions: Does your elected official support the Kyoto Accord, and an increase in fuel efficiency standards? Did your representative support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative?
Rejecting Bigotry, Embracing Dignity – Equality for All
Jesus taught equality, justice and responsibility. We accept Jesus’ call to love one another and to welcome all God’s children at the table.
Questions: Did your representative support the renewal of the Civil Rights Act? Did they oppose anti-gay civil union and anti-gay marriage efforts? Have they taken a stand against criminalizing immigration policy?
Honoring the Sanctity of Childbearing Decisions
Effective Prevention vs. Criminalizing Abortion
Jesus taught compassion, responsibility, and equality. Following his call, we support responsible, compassionate programs that are genuinely effective in helping prevent unintended pregnancy. We affirm that each woman’s body belongs to herself. No woman should be forced either to bear a child or to terminate a pregnancy.
Questions: Does your representative support science-based sexual health education? Did your representative support immediate access to Emergency Contraception (EC) and requiring that EC be made available to rape victims? Does your representative oppose making abortion a criminal offense?
Extending Healing to All – Health Care for All Americans
Jesus’ insisted on justice, equality, and care for “the least of these.” Acting on his teachings, we claim every American must have access to quality health care.
Questions: Did your representative support health care for all Americans? Does your representative support healing embryonic stem cell research?
Progressive US Christians issue voter values guide
-10/10/06
The Christian Alliance for Progress in the United States, which is galvanizing Christians to resist the ëpartisan political agendaí of the religious right, has issued a Voter Values Guide for the forthcoming US elections.
But it stresses that it is not campaigning for a particular party, specific candidates or for ëChristian politiciansí. Rather it wants to ask questions of all of them.
CAP says that its aim is a non-partisan approach: ìWe believe that issues raised in this guide can give solid direction to American voters who want decisions about their votes to be grounded in the life and work of Jesus Christ.î
The Alliance goes on: ìNone of us has access to the mind of God, to know with absolute certainty what it is that God wants each of us to do individually or America collectively. We do, however, have the scripture and two millennia of Christian ethical and theological teaching as guides. Having sought the direction of the Spirit as we have reflected on the core texts and traditions of our faith, we have developed some fundamental questions concerning the crucial issues of the day that every voter can ask of candidates who stand for election in their communities.î
It continues: ìThis is not about partisan politics. Nor is it about selecting the ëChristianí candidate, for sometimes the best candidate will be a Jew or Muslim or even a person of no faith tradition whatsoever, for we would prefer an atheist or a Buddhist or a Hindu who cares for the needs of those at the margins of society over someone of our own faith who will ignore them.î
Concludes Christian Alliance for Progress: ìAt issue therefore is not what party a person represents or what religion they profess but rather the ways in which the values each candidate espouses will work to enhance the lives of neighbours near and far, as both testaments of the Christian scriptures demand.î
The guide and its links are as follows:
Christian Voters Values Guide 2006
For the past twenty years, the Christian Right has distorted the meaning of ìChristian valuesî in pursuit of a partisan political agenda. We at the Christian Alliance for Progress have a different vision, one that springs from our deeply held belief in the Gospels as a guide for moral and political behavior.
As progressive Christians, here are some questions to ask your elected officials as you vote in the 2006 elections.
Caring For “The Least of These” – Pursuing Economic Justice
The Jesus of the Gospels calls us to good stewardship, justice, and care for “the least of these.” We call on our nation’s leaders to seek economic justice in the management of the world’s wealth and to enhance efforts to reduce poverty.
Questions: Did your elected official support an increase in the Minimum Wage? Did they oppose estate tax cuts for the super-wealthy and cuts to human services programs?
Forsaking Brute Power – Seeking Peace, Not War
Jesus knew power and he knew it could be used for justice or for conquest. Over and over, Jesus blessed his followers with peace and urged them to peace. Following his example, we call for restraint – not aggression – in the exercise of our nation’s power.
Questions: Does your representative want to develop a strategy to withdraw US troops from Iraq and to provide for a peaceful transition there? Has your representative spoken out against torture and in support of Middle East peace and international law?
Caring for the Earth – Responsible Environmental Stewardship for Today
Jesus urged his followers to be good stewards and to act for good in the world here and now. We respond by caring for God’s created world today, holding our environment in trust for our children.
Questions: Does your elected official support the Kyoto Accord, and an increase in fuel efficiency standards? Did your representative support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative?
Rejecting Bigotry, Embracing Dignity – Equality for All
Jesus taught equality, justice and responsibility. We accept Jesus’ call to love one another and to welcome all God’s children at the table.
Questions: Did your representative support the renewal of the Civil Rights Act? Did they oppose anti-gay civil union and anti-gay marriage efforts? Have they taken a stand against criminalizing immigration policy?
Honoring the Sanctity of Childbearing Decisions
Effective Prevention vs. Criminalizing Abortion
Jesus taught compassion, responsibility, and equality. Following his call, we support responsible, compassionate programs that are genuinely effective in helping prevent unintended pregnancy. We affirm that each woman’s body belongs to herself. No woman should be forced either to bear a child or to terminate a pregnancy.
Questions: Does your representative support science-based sexual health education? Did your representative support immediate access to Emergency Contraception (EC) and requiring that EC be made available to rape victims? Does your representative oppose making abortion a criminal offense?
Extending Healing to All – Health Care for All Americans
Jesus’ insisted on justice, equality, and care for “the least of these.” Acting on his teachings, we claim every American must have access to quality health care.
Questions: Did your representative support health care for all Americans? Does your representative support healing embryonic stem cell research?