All Politics Is Religious

by Ross, Dennis S.; Lynn, Barry W.

• ISBN13: 9781594733741
• ISBN10: 1594733740
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-30
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Pub

Summary

Faith grows when we speak of it in the public square and live out its vision for a better world. Here¿s how. On a daily basis, religious forces are turning to schools, health care, media, the economy and more with the agenda of establishing one faith perspective and its restrictions as the rule for everybody. But the times call for a reinvigorated expression of a variety of religious outlooks, and that means more than talk of ¿good faith,¿ ¿strong feelings¿ and ¿the facts.¿ It relies on a working understanding of why we speak, who we speak to, what to say, how to say it and where. All Politics Is Religious provides ideas and strategies for a clear, forceful, positive, effective and renewed religious expression that is all too often overlooked and under-represented. It identifies the religious themes in our great debates¿ immigration, the needs of children and families, church-state separation and reproductive rights, including abortion¿and presents new language and methods for communication. In a voice that is warm, conversational and, at times, playful, it avoids attacking or ridiculing those who disagree. It steers away from the all-too-familiar political jargon¿left, right, liberal, conservative, socialist¿ and instead relies on historical examples, current events and personal stories to illustrate the best ways to communicate the positive role faith can play in personal and public life.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Preface: Preaching to the Choir	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xxi
Introduction: How I Became and Advocate	p. xxiii
How Religion and Policy Mix
Why We Hear So Much from One Side and So Little from the Other	p. 3
Core Faith Values: Protecting the Widow, the Stranger, and the Orphan	p. 11
Core Faith Values: Moral Agency	p. 25
Core Faith Values: Church-State Separation	p. 39
How to Speak about Religious Values
Messaging to the Base	p. 55
Media Relations: First Steps	p. 71
Raising the Controversial Issues	p. 89
Building and Using a Message Triangle	p. 97
Building on the Triangle: The Platform of Faith	p. 109
Religion and Lobbying	p. 133
Epilogue: More Than Tolerance	p. 145
Notes	p. 149
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 155
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