On Faith C. Welton Gaddy |
Guide helps candidates fit
religion into campaigns
Getting religion "right" in the context of a campaign is tough. A few candidates seem not to care.
Interfaith Alliance
Members: From more than 75 faith traditions and 47 local alliancesHawaii chapter meetings: 8:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month
Where: 15 Craigside Place, the district headquarters of the United Church of Christ
But most do. They are determined to win but unwilling to appeal to hate and division or to compromise the integrity of religion to do it. They want voters to know who they are and how they make their decisions, and that often includes acknowledging their faith.
This week, the Interfaith Alliance sent copies of its latest publication, "Running for Office in a Multi-Faith Nation," to the Kerry-Edwards and Bush-Cheney campaign offices. The guides have also been sent to all Democratic and Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Democratic and Republican national committees and 100 state party organizations.
The guide is intended to help candidates and their staffs think through some of the difficult issues about how to treat matters of religion in a campaign and to help them avoid some of the bigger pitfalls. It won't -- indeed it cannot -- help candidates determined to use religion as a club. But candidates of good will are likely to find useful guidance and plenty of food for thought in these pages.
The Interfaith Alliance's "Do's and Don'ts on Religion and Politics" are:
>> Recognize the important role of religion in American society.
>> Speak about your religious beliefs as part of your biography when appropriate.
>> Speak inclusively when addressing issues of religion.
>> Seek out values shared by the majority of people of faith and good will, compassion, civility and mutual respect for human dignity.
>> Visit diverse houses of worship in your district, and educate yourself on the needs and concerns of their membership.
>> Consider the message you will send to the public by where and with whom you choose to speak during your campaign.
>> Use candidate forums at a house of worship as an opportunity to educate the public about your policy positions.
At the same time:
>> Don't make your religion a platform issue.
>> Don't claim support from a community just because you share the same faith.
>> Don't sound like you think your religious beliefs are the correct or preferred belief system for society.
>> Don't use divisive and exclusive religious language.
>> Don't use any pulpit as a political platform or turn a nonpartisan invitation to attend a house of worship into an opportunity for partisan political campaigning.
>> Don't allow political policy stances to define religious conviction.
>> Don't contribute to partisan voter "guides" that compromise the integrity of faith.
>> Don't disparage your opponent's religious beliefs.
The text of "Religion and Politics: Running for Office in a Multi-Faith Nation" may be found at www.interfaithalliance.org/candidatesguide.
The Rev. C. Welton Gaddy is national president of the Interfaith Alliance, based in Washington, D.C. It is a nonpartisan, grass-roots organization dedicated to promoting the positive and healing role of religion in the life of the nation.
Religion Calendar
