National group offers
principles to use to
evaluate potential leaders

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The National Council of Churches USA tried earlier in this election year to inspire politicians, media and church members to rise above the rancorous one-issue morality debate about marriage and address universal issues such as poverty and justice.

In July the coalition of 36 Christian denominations released a list of 10 principles by which to evaluate candidates. They focus on the conduct of campaigns as well as issues, asking candidates to "refrain from using faith-based organizations and institutions for partisan gain" and urging that "the campaigns of political candidates and the coverage of the media in this election season be conducted according to principles of fairness, honesty and integrity."

"We hope the principles will help people enter into dialogue and be 'spirit-filled voters' who don't just get stirred up about emotional hot-button issues, but also keep sight of all the other issues like racism, poverty, peace and justice," said the Rev. Thomas Hoyt Jr., president of the New York-based organization. "We hope churches will post these principles on bulletin boards, include them in the church bulletin and use them in Bible study groups, young people's forums and senior citizen meetings," said Hoyt, bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Shreveport, La.

A number of the principles have roots in ecumenical agreements that date back more than 50 years, said the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, chairman of the Justice and Advocacy Commission, which drafted the list.

For example, the first principle, "War is contrary to the will of God," was affirmed at the World Council of Churches' founding assembly in 1948. "It's not a pacifist position," said Kinnamon, a Disciples of Christ minister and professor at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis.

"But it says 'no' to crusade. It acknowledges that 'while the use of force may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing on the peacemakers.'"

The full text of "Christian Principles in an Election Year" is available on the NCC's Web site at www.ncccusa.org/electionyearprinciplesguide.html. It includes:

>> "God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation. We reject policies that abandon large segments of our inner-city and rural populations to hopelessness. We look for political leaders who will rebuild our communities and bring an end to the cycles of violence and killing."

>> "God calls us to be advocates for those who are most vulnerable in our society. We look for political leaders who yearn for economic justice and who will seek to reduce the growing disparity between rich and poor."

>> "Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite worth. We look for political leaders who actively promote racial justice and equal opportunity for everyone."

>> "The Earth belongs to God and is intrinsically good. We look for political leaders who recognize the earth's goodness, champion environmental justice and uphold our responsibility to be stewards of God's creation."

>> "Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers. We look for political leaders who will pursue fair immigration policies and speak out against xenophobia."

>> "Those who follow Christ are called to heal the sick. We look for political leaders who will support adequate, affordable and accessible health care for all."

>> "Because of the transforming power of God's grace, all humans are called to be in right relationship with each other. We look for political leaders who seek a restorative, not retributive, approach to the criminal justice system and the individuals within it."

>> "Providing enriched learning environments for all of God's children is a moral imperative. We look for political leaders who will advocate for equal educational opportunity and abundant funding for children's services."

>> "Finally, our religious tradition admonishes us not to bear false witness against our neighbor and to love our enemies. We ask that the campaigns of political candidates and the coverage of the media in this election season be conducted according to principles of fairness, honesty and integrity."

Kinnamon said: "This is an important voice in the public conversation about where this nation should be headed.

"There are other issues on which some Justice and Advocacy Commission members wanted to speak and that Roman Catholics and conservative evangelical Christians might add but on which churches aren't united -- among them, abortion and gay marriage.

"For us the issue is how to begin a conversation in the pews. We proclaim with a bold humility that this is where we stand right now, even as we invite others into the conversation."