It's not what you think.
The best evidence that Obama has broken the GOP hold on the meaning of "faith-based" came today from
the organization Interfaith Worker Justice, a "nonprofit, nonpartisan religious organization that educates and mobilizes the religious people of all faiths in the United States on issues important to working people" (wiki).
Their voter guide," Vote Your Values 2008: A Guide for Faith-Based Voters," is organized into sections like "Health Care for All, " "Support the Right of Workers to Organize a Union," "A job Should get you out of Poverty, not Keep You in it," "Voter Registration Tools and Resources for Congregations," "Stop Wage Theft," and "Raise your Voice, Get involved." Zero on gay marriage. Zero on abortion. Beautiful picures of "people of faith" working together for health care reform, workers' rights, and humane immigration policy. The document is signed by IWJ's co-presidents, a Roman Catholic bishop from Los Angeles and a pastor from Faith Community Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.
This is the email I received today from the organization's executive director:
Vote Your Values 2008: A Guide for Faith-Based Voters
As the 2008 elections approach, our economy is in turmoil and workers are struggling more than ever. The next Congress and administration will have to establish policies that not only improve our economy but ensure that workers are not forgotten and their rights are protected.
Interfaith Worker Justice has published an exciting new resource, Vote Your Values 2008: A Guide for Faith-Based Voters, which highlights issues of major importance for working people in this election cycle. The guide frames pressing, national labor concerns so that voters may carefully examine matters such as wage theft, immigration reform, and the right to organize a union, and take them into account when selecting candidates.
We hope you will find this guide helpful. Please share it with your friends, families, and congregations!
Prayerfully yours,
Kim Bobo, Executive Director
Interfaith Worker Justice
If you have trouble linking to the text, go the IWJ'swebsite to download a copy.
Please open it, read it, and pass it on.