The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Religion and Politics 2004: Multifaith Resources
| • Religious/Interfaith Organizations |
| • Religious Diversity News/Media |
| • Other Resources |
Religious/Interfaith Organizations:
African-American Ministers Leadership Conference: Sanctified Seven
The voter mobilization program of the African-American Ministers Leadership Conference is called “Sanctified Seven – Victory through Voting,” and is a non-partisan effort to register and mobilize African-Americans to vote. “In addition to registering and pledging to vote, participants promise to register at least seven members of their community every few weeks up to election.”
American Friends Service Committee: Voter Information
This non-partisan site of the American Friends Service Committee provides basic information on candidates’ positions related to foreign policy, with brief quotes and links. Included is a list of proposed questions for candidates with an emphasis on civil rights, pluralism, and equal opportunity. It also provides a “Voting History Timeline,” a “Youth and Student Foreign Policy Voting Guide,” and links to multiple voter registration sites.
American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections
The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections is an umbrella group for numerous Muslim American organizations with a detailed mission and election plan promoting a “Civil Rights Plus” agenda aimed at community building, voter outreach, and integrating American Muslims into the mainstream. This site also provides information on candidates and detailed information on community-building tasks.
B’nai B’rith: Get Out the Vote
The B’nai B’rith nonpartisan “Get out the Vote” site explains the need for voter registration, education, and turnout.
Buddhist Peace Fellowship: What About the Elections?
The Buddhist Peace Fellowship site explains that “...one aspect of socially engaged Buddhism is participation in the electoral process.” The site includes four resources in PDF: “Engagement in the Electoral Process”; a 10-page “Issue Guide” with candidate information from February 14, 2004; and an essay by Hozan Alan Senauke, outlining Buddhist teachings and their relation to the election process.
Catholics in Political Life: Challenges to Faith in Democracy
Catholic Vote’s “Guide to Election 2004” is a project of the non-profit organization Catholics for a Free Choice and “provides information to policymakers and the media interested in unraveling the arguments surrounding the US bishops’ and conservative Catholic attacks on pro-choice lawmakers that will aid in developing authoritative statements on the ‘pro-choice and Catholic’ issue.”
Christian Coalition of America
The “Take America Back” campaign has links to an Issues Page with 15 detailed issues the Christian Coalition is fighting in Congress. The Voter Education page has a letter from President Roberta Combs urging Christians to register and vote. The website also provides a voter scorecard and guide, and an archived Newsletter section.
The Clergy Leadership Network aims to promote progressive policies in domestic and international affairs, and includes over thirty members, primarily from Christian and Jewish faiths. CLN promotes the involvement of religious leaders of diverse faiths in the electoral process through a strategy of “influence, information, involvement, and issues.”
Concerned Women for America’s mission is to “protect and promote Biblical values among all citizens -- first through prayer, then education, and finally by influencing our society -- thereby reversing the decline in moral values in our nation.” The site provides a voter registration link and numerous articles on politics and religion.
Council on American-Islamic Relations: 2004 Election Update
CAIR provides weekly email updates on the 2004 Elections; the site explains that these updates “are designed to promote the political empowerment of the American Muslim community. Updates focus on issues of importance to the American Muslim community and the candidates’ positions on those issues.”
Episcopal Public Policy Network: Election Year Resources
The EPPN site includes the “Episcopal Litany for Social Justice,” developed for use in an election year, and provides links to federal and state voting resources.
The mission of Faithful Democracy is “to increase the number of people casting informed votes that are counted in the 2004 elections; to increase the number of people with a commitment to responsible civic participation that is grounded in their religious values; and, to create or strengthen lasting partnerships between different religious groups, and between the faith community and secular organizations at the local level.” The site provides state-by-state lists of voter action centers and links to “Faith Partner” organizations.
The Family Research Council “promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society.” Their site includes a voter registration page and publications on government, including “Republicanism and Religion” and “The Pro-Life Vote and the 2004 Senate Elections.”
Friends Committee on National Legislation: Build Democracy: Vote 2004
The Friends Committee on National Legislation’s “Build Democracy: Vote 2004” page provides detailed information on the candidates’ positions on the FCNL’s legislative priority issues, a voter registration and mobilization guide, and online brochures entitled “Your Vote Counts” and “Questions to Ask the Candidates.”
The “I Vote Values” website is a resource of Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council that encourages voting, provides information on presidential candidates, and answers to commonly asked questions about voting.
Interfaith Alliance: One Nation, Many Faiths, Vote 2004
The Interfaith Alliance’s extensive resources for Election 2004 include an “Election Year Activist’s Handbook” and an “Election Year Guide for Houses of Worship,” as well as a “Media Roundup” section with a thorough list of recent articles on religion in the election.
Muslim American Society: Voting is Power
The Muslim American Society’s “Voting is Power” page links the importance of voting with political empowerment. The site provides facts about voter registration under the heading “Defending Your Vote” and includes an online voter registration form.
Muslim Public Affairs Council: Presidential Election 2004: A Guide for American Muslims (PDF)
The Muslim Public Affairs Council has created a guide (PDF) for the American Muslim community with “information on the most important Domestic and Foreign Policy issues of concern to Muslims according to our polling information.” The guide details positions of the Kerry/Edwards and Bush/Cheney campaigns on issues such as the Patriot Act and the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
Muslim Students Association: Voter Guide (PDF)
The Muslim Students Association’s detailed voter guide for the Primaries (updated January 2004) outlines candidate positions on various issues including “Abortion,” “Civil Rights,” “Foreign Policy,” and “Environment.” The MSA aims to increase the “political literacy of American Muslim students.”
The founder and president of Muslims for Bush explains that the mission of his organization is “not just about getting President Bush re-elected. This is about getting Americans, and Muslims, more involved and excited about the American political process.” The site includes numerous positive quotes from George W. Bush about Muslims.
Creators of this site explain, “We are American Muslims who are greatly concerned by the direction our nation has taken under the leadership of the Bush administration. We are particularly concerned with issues relating to social justice, inclusion, compassion, and responsible stewardship of America’s economic and military power.” Features include a “Muslims for Kerry” (M4K) blog and a link to the Kerry-Edwards position paper, “Building Bridges with the Muslim American Community” (PDF).
National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice: Faithful Citizenship Project
The Faithful Citizenship Project is an interfaith voter registration campaign of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. The site includes a range of voter registration resources in Spanish and English, including “Faithful Citizenship Bulletin Inserts” (PDF).
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
NETWORK “uses the principles of Catholic social justice tradition as a lens through which to view federal policy and legislation and how it will contribute to a more just and economically sustainable world.” The site provides a list of questionnaires for candidates on various issues and a list of faith-inspired quotes promoting civic participation. The site is available in Spanish and English.
“The Pagan Voting Project is designed to register Earthwise voters nation-wide and to encourage them to vote in the November election. We don’t tell the Earthwise Community how to vote but we do encourage Pagans to be informed and active citizens.” The site includes a list of the “13 Reasons Why Pagans Should Vote.”
People for the American Way: Civic Participation
Under the category of “Civic Participation,” the People for the American Way website features resources on election reform and voter rights and registration. Voter registration efforts include “Arrive With Five,” a “nonpartisan campaign that encourages women, people of color, the elderly, and the disabled to make their voices heard by participating in elections,” and “Mi Familia Vota!” a Hispanic voter registration effort.
Presbyterian Church USA: Christian and Citizen Election Year Resource
The Presbyterian Church web page links to a pamphlet (PDF) called “Christian and Citizen” that outlines election year issues and includes policy statements “based on a Reformed Theological understanding of the biblical message and a belief that God works through the assembled commissioners of the Church.” Other resources include voter registration information, a bibliography of Church/Government texts, and instructional pages titled “Holding a Candidate Forum in Your Church” and “Maybe You Should Run for Office.”
“Redeem the Vote” adapts the model of MTV’s “Rock the Vote” for young evangelical Christians, bringing together Christian musicians to encourage voter registration. Their site explains, “Redeem The Vote wants to motivate the more than 25 million evangelical Christians who are not registered to vote! Our effort seeks to mobilize those in the faith-based community to exercise their rights as citizens and get involved in the political process!”
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism: Get out the Vote 2004
The “Get Out the Vote 2004” voter guide was designed for use by Jewish congregations and communal organizations. It promotes voter registration in the general public and “aims to demystify the registration process, to focus communal energy on the privilege and responsibility of voting, and to provide information to plan a successful voter engagement effort in advance of Election Day.”
Sikh Coalition: Every Voice Counts
The Sikh Coalition’s voter registration effort “Every Voice Counts” is described as “a campaign to empower the Sikh people” and “to help Sikhs announce their presence to schools, city councils, and state and national governments.” The website includes voter registration links and information on launching a voter registration drive at the local gurdwara; in addition to an “Every Voice Counts” flyer (PDF) in English, information about how to register to vote is provided in the Punjabi language.
Sojourners: Faith in Action: Election 2004
Sojourners is “a Christian ministry whose mission is to proclaim and practice the biblical call to integrate spiritual renewal and social justice.” The site features a voter registration page, entitled “Register, Pray, Vote.” Online resources include articles on key topics designed to help readers “make faith-informed election choices.”
Traditional Values Coalition: “Vote for Godly Candidates this November”
The Traditional Values Coalition site features a page related to voting which explains, “Christians are a powerful voting bloc in the U.S. but only if they go to the polls and vote for Godly candidates.” Resources include voter registration links, statistics about the impact of the Christian vote, and commentary on the duty of Christians to vote.
Tricycle: The Buddhist Review: Special Section on Politics
Tricycle provides an online feature on politics, noting that “with the world spinning from crisis to crisis -- and election season fast approaching -- many Americans Buddhists are asking: What can we do to make a difference? How do we work in a flawed but functioning democracy to create a society that reflects our deepest values of compassion and wisdom? And how do we do so without drowning in anger and despair?” The site includes articles such as “The Lotus and the Ballot Box” and features a “Politics Resource Guide.”
Unitarian Universalist Association: Voter Registration
This detailed election site includes a letter from the UU President urging members to vote, and to join with other organizations for civic participation. It provides links to The Interfaith Alliance, Faithful Democracy, and numerous web resources for voting information, as well as links to sites dealing with “poll monitoring and security” and “voter advocacy and education.” It also includes a link to detailed survey article from Christian polling organization The Barna Group entitled “Tight Presidential Race Influenced by People’s Faith.”
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee: Defending Democracy
The “Defending Democracy” program encourages members to participate in democracy forums, offers workcamps that intend to “explore ways to build effective working relationships across race and class moving from voter empowerment to advocacy,” and provides information about election-related issues through “Defending Democracy Issue Briefs.”
United Church of Christ: Our Faith Our Vote
The UCC’s “Our Faith Our Vote” campaign “is designed to provide ideas and resources to help members of the faith community participate in and shape the democratic process.” The site features an “Our Faith Our Vote” Organizers Kit (PDF), which includes guidelines for advocates such as “How to Hold a Candidate Forum” and “Sermon and Worship Resources.” Other resources include “A Christian Vision for the 2004 Election” (PDF) and a page with stories from UCC churches actively engaged in “Our Faith Our Vote” efforts.
USCCB’s Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website notes, “In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation.” Resources on the “Faithful Citizenship” pages include Bishops’ statements, Vatican statements, a PDF “Family Guide to Faithful Citizenship,” and organizational and practical suggestions for parish staffs, councils, and dioceses.
Venerable Thubten Chodron: “Should Buddhists Vote?”
The website of Ven. Thubten Chodron offers Buddhist educational resources. A brief article from the author discusses challenges of being an informed voter and wise citizen, urges mindfulness and respect on difficult issues, and states, “Buddhists who are informed citizens should vote. By sharing our knowledge, voting is one way to contribute to the welfare of society.”
Witches’ League for Public Awareness: Bless the Vote
The Witches’ League site was created in 1999 in response to “right wing groups.” It encourages voting, challenges the growing movement of the Christian right, and also provides voter registration information.
Religious Diversity News/Media:
Religious Diversity News: Election 2004
The Pluralism Project’s “Religious Diversity News” features summaries of articles and links to online resources; the news database is searchable and includes cross-references to ongoing stories, such as “Election 2004.”
Other cross-references include:
Media:
Beliefnet: Faith & Politics 2004
Beliefnet is an online religion magazine and multifaith resource featuring “Faith & Politics 2004.” This page includes extensive materials related to religion and the elections, from Steve Waldman’s Convention Blogs and a “Religion & Politics Stats Library” to the tongue-in-cheek “God-o-Meter.” The site also includes a range of articles, updated frequently, and features discussion forums on a range of topics, including “Buddhism & Politics” and “Muslim Politicians.”
NCM Editorial Exchange: The Ethnic Voter
The NCM Editorial Exchange is a national association of ethnic media organizations. A special section on the NCM site, “The Ethnic Voter,” provides descriptions and links to news stories dealing with ethnic communities and the 2004 election.
NOW with Bill Moyers: Election 2004, Religion and Politics
NOW’s Election 2004 coverage includes a “Religion and Politics” feature. The page provides statistics about the fastest-growing faiths in America, resource maps, a “Freedom of Religion Quiz,” and a “Debate” section which discusses church/state separation and faith-based initiatives.
Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life: Religion and Politics
The Pew Forum functions as both a clearinghouse and a town hall. “As a clearinghouse, it gathers and disseminates objective information through polls and reports on topics related to religion and public policy. As a town hall, it provides a neutral venue -- through its various issue roundtables and rapid response events -- for discussions of important issues where religion and politics intersect.”
ReligionLink: Guide to Religion in the 2004 Elections
ReligionLink contains detailed information on religion news sources and includes an archive of numerous articles. In addition to the “Guide to Religion in the 2004 Elections,” archived election coverage includes “Catholics and the White House,” and “Presidential Politics and the Evangelical Movement.” This site also provides a list of polling centers, research organizations, surveys, and other data on religion and politics.
Other:
Brookings Institution Project on Religion and Civil Society
This Governance Studies Project at the Brookings Institution works closely with the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, specifically researching community and national service, faith-based initiatives, religion and citizenship. The Brookings Institution Press also publishes books on these subjects.
Center for American Progress: Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative
“The Faith and Progressive Policy project will educate the American public and the media about core values shared by progressive Americans of all faiths while simultaneously defending the separation of church and state and respecting secular society. The initiative will focus on a broad range of concerns that implicate the central teachings of many faiths and are important to all progressive Americans.”
Heritage Foundation: Issues 04
The Heritage Foundation researches, and publishes articles and data, on conservative issues. The website provides a link to www.townhall.com for election coverage that provides a list of Senate races and commentary on the election.
Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life: Religion and the 2004 Election
The mission of the Leonard E. Greenberg Center is to “advance knowledge and understanding of the varied roles that religious movements, institutions, and ideas play in the contemporary world; to explore challenges posed by religious pluralism and tensions between religious and secular values; and to examine the influence of religion on politics, civic culture, family life, gender roles, and other issues in the United States and elsewhere in the world.”
National Voice provides a database of voter projects that can be searched by the category “Religious Institutions.” A key activity of National Voice is to help local groups incorporate voter education and registration activities into their work. The site also provides a detailed list of organizations with voter projects by state and an online resource library of voting information sites.
Youth Vote is a non-partisan coalition with the goal of increasing voter turnout. The site provides a list of a broad range of organizations and voting sites partnered with Youth Vote including national religious, ethnic, advocacy, and non-profit groups.