Last Thursday, We Believe Colorado put on the most inspiring display of interfaith and racial unity I have ever seen. The group's introductory meeting brought together Jews and Christians and Muslims, African Americans and whites and Latinos and Arabs. Rev. Andrew Simpson of the AME shouted in agreement as Rabbi Brian Field asked whether America today would welcome Ruth as the Israelites did. Rev. Butch Montoya offered an impassioned amen to Imam Ibrahim Kazerooni's proclamation that liberal and conservative politicians alike need leadership from the faith community. Rev. Janet Forbes inspired spirited applause from all when she admonished young evangelicals to engage in politics.

They weren't there just to join hands and declare unity. We Believe Colorado's coalition members are taking action on common good issues that affect people across their state and the country. Terri McMaster described Lutheran Advocacy Ministry's work to ensure that the state budget meets the needs of the poor. Imam Rahim Ali educated activists about Project Redemption -- his campaign to reform the state's criminal justice system. Peter Sawtell of Eco-Justice Ministries taught clergy to engage their congregations in environmental activism. The energy and expertise on hand were palpable.

On a note that was especially encouraging, the leaders on the stage and the activists in the audience interrupted FPL organizing director Ron Stief with warm applause several times as he spoke of the growing role people of faith are playing in state politics. He prayed that religious leaders across the country would take action for the common good in the public square, and thanks to the committed leaders of We Believe Colorado, We Believe Ohio and emerging state-level faith coalitions across the country, his prayers are being answered.

Posted by Dan at 04:08 PM | Link | del.icio.us | Digg | Comments (1)

The Rev. Anne Howard writes:

The phone doesn't even have to ring. Even the thought of the 3 a.m. phone call makes my pulse quicken.

We all know, even in our new day of ever-present cell phones and little BlackBeasts, that middle-of-the-night phone calls mean crisis, trouble, something that can't wait until morning.

Those calls are scary. And the name for the quickening of the pulse, the sinking sense of dread they give us is fear.

As the candidates --never mind the names-- use the ol' phone trick, (it used to be called the red phone schtick, now it's the 3 a.m. phone call) they play into our middle-of-the night dread. The name for that is fear-mongering.

In my lifetime of watching campaigns, nothing has been more consistent or effective than fear-mongering, as TV ads have rolled out mushroom clouds and Soviet tanks and crumbling Twin Towers, punctuated with a few sinister images of the foreigner moving into the neighborhood, the thief at the door.

And nothing is more enervating, more dis-empowering. Voters forget the wisdom they've gained from their daily lives -- the lessons they've learned in school rooms and church pews, at kitchen tables and back fences -- and they vote out of fear. Their own sense of empowerment evaporates. Fear replaces faith.

I want to hope that voters know how to think, and not just react when their fear buttons get pushed. I want to hope that people act out of conviction and courage and a sense that we can make a difference in our country. I want to hope that we won't see weeks and months of negative campaigning and fear-mongering.

I want to see, for once my life, faith make the difference, not fear.

Posted by Alex Carpenter at 01:24 PM | Link | del.icio.us | Digg | Comments (0)