Last week at my Beatitudes Society fellowship at Faith In Public Life , I participated in the unveiling of an online database that is really a first of its kind. FPL has been compiling this list of 3000 religious communities for over a year. The database Mapping Faith is meant to organize religious communities in all fifty states around common good issues: poverty, environment, civil rights, immigration reform, etc.
I had the opportunity to talk to several reporters all over the country last week as we prepared for our Thursday press teleconference regarding the Map. The reporters I spoke to were extremely enthusiastic about one principle fact that our data revealed: there is a resurgence of progressive religious organizing!
In addition, some reporters were pleasantly surprised to know that there were groups organizing in communities outside of those traditionally dubbed “progressive.” The Map reveals that progressive religious organizing transcends the so-called Red State/ Blue State divide. Isn’t this the true meaning of common good issues? The fight against poverty and social injustice speaks to the heart of our basic humanity. These groups are seeking to reconnect with the conscience of America, and FPL is making this work a lot easier. It is a great honor to be a part of such cutting-edge work during my summer fellowship.
If you are interested in grassroots organizing within the church please make use of Mapping Faith and share it with your friends.
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Great news
I spent part of my fellowship mapping six states last summer. Good to see that it's getting media attention, but it's a good resource for coalition building as well.