Zeitgeist 25.0: Unite! Coalitions of faith do justice

Submitted by Alex Carpenter on May 18, 2007 - 10:56am.

These days it seems that everyone is a part of a faith group coalition for justice. It's exciting to see this level of cooperation and it bodes well for changing the climate of Christian involvement in American public life. Get to know these coalitions, and if I've missed any, drop a note in the comment section.
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(Immigration)

Immigration continues to be a dominate issue in Washington. Both the House and the Senate have crafted comprehensive reform bills, but key differences remain between the two chambers' proposals and several difficult negotiating sessions and tough votes remain before a final package gets sent to the President's desk.

While every conceivable interest group seems to have taken a stand on immigration, the advocacy of faith groups like the The New Sanctuary Movement and Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform was the big story last week and continues to be a key force in moving just legislation forward.

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(Torture)

Several political analysts who caught the GOP debate this week have pointed out the focus on torture. In fact, over at Salon, Tim Grieve calls it the "torture primary." He adds: In response to a Brit Hume hypothetical question, the former New York mayor (on the job, in case you didn't know, on 9/11) cheerfully embraced all means necessary to get information from terrorists. In Rudy World, life is, of course, a replay of Jack Bauer's career. In contrast, John McCain, who personally knows something about harsh interrogation methods, bravely stuck to his guns in denying that torture is an effective way of getting information in an emergency -- and a continuing affront to American values.

In January 2006, More than 100 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders and thinkers met at Princeton Theological Seminary to try to take a more public and more vigorous lead in the debate on U.S. use of torture in the war on terrorism. Since then the National Religious Campaign Against Torture has continued to gain attention and raise the moral voice faith support for human rights.

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(Climate Change)

(CA-Sen. Barbara Boxer speaks with Reverend Sally Bingham, Director of Interfaith Power and Light, and Rabbi Stephen Pearce of Congregation Emanu-El about the faith-based community's efforts to reduce global warming)

An Interfaith Declaration on the Moral Responsibility of the U.S. Government to Address Global Warming

Today we stand together as a religious force for change. We have seen the truth and must declare it. Global warming is
real, it is human-induced, and we have the responsibility to act. We will work together in an historic effort to pave the way
for a cultural change in America. And while recognizing our differences, we agree on a call to action. We stand together
with a shared purpose: a reverence for life.

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(Water)

The United Methodist Church is one of 9 faith communities with 140 churches and temples who are members of the Earth Keeper Initiative in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The following video news story from the United Methodist Communications office.

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(You)

It's great to see Christian leaders speaking up on the moral issues of our day. And getting attention. One reason is that they are working together. As anyone with a family knows, coordinating with people is always tricky. As they say, those who pray for progress together. . .unite for good.

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