Monday, June 12, 2006

Legislative Moral Audit and the Language of Values

Jeff Hamilton also showed me the Interfaith Alliance's new publication Religion & Politics which is part of their One Nation, Many Faiths Vote 2006 series.

In this publication is a section titled the language of values. It finishes out with a "Legislative Moral Audit" to use when assessing public policy positions. The following questions are posed for those who would seek to balance their faith and politics:

Does the policy:
  • Protect the Constitutional guarantee of the separation of church and state?
  • Deny the rights or opportunities of citizens, regardlesss of their religious (or non) beliefs?
  • Challenge hatred and bigotry?
  • Create a positive vision of America?
  • Make itself a friend of justice?
  • Treat people equitably?
  • Distribute wealth or concentrate wealth?
  • Enhance life for all people or only for select people?
  • Protect the environment?
  • Aid the creation of jobs?
  • Negatively impact the most vulnerable people in our society?

Hamilton asserts that it is "religious to do the work of politics and government well without ever voicing a religious phrase. In fact it's more religious than constantly using religious language without ever doing the challenging work of guaranteeing liberty and justice for all people in a diverse and pluralistic society."

So what are your favorite examples of policies that "pass" the audit? And who are the candidates who support those policies?


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