Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities
The 2020 elections could not be more significant. The outcome will set the course on climate change for years to come. On top of that, we are in the midst of a global pandemic, a major recession, record joblessness, and our nation is in turmoil over police killings that have exposed the deep inequities and racial injustice in our nation.
It’s time for some national soul-searching, and faith communities have an important role to play.
That’s why IPL partnered with Faith in Public Life to create a multi-issue faith voter reflection guide – Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities.
While IPL’s focus is climate change, the guide also addresses other urgent issues in the election, including voting rights, systemic racism in the criminal justice system, healthcare, peace, LGBTQ rights, and immigration. It has been endorsed by prominent faith groups and religious leaders at the national and state level.
We are in a moment of intense national awareness of the deep inequities and racial injustices in our communities and nation. Many are calling for fundamental change in our systems. We need leaders who share our values of loving our neighbors and caring for Creation. We need to address structures of oppression, end environmental injustice, and seriously tackle climate change to secure our children’s future. The guide addresses the urgent moral issues of our time.
If we want a country that reflects our best values, we have to participate thoughtfully. Voting is the central sacrament of our democracy. That’s what this guide is about.
Voter Reflection Guide Resources:
Download the digital faith voter reflection guide
Download the Spanish language version of the faith voter reflection guide– Democracia, Valores y las Electiones de 2020, Una Guia de Reflexion para las Comunidades de Fe
Voter reflection guide slide deck
The guide has been endorsed by the following national leaders and organizations:
National Leaders & Organizations
Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches
David Gushee, Director, Center for Theology and Public Life, Mercer University
Chicago Theological Seminary
Earth Day Network
Franciscan Action Network
Green Chalice
GreenFaith
Green the Church
Islamic Society of North America
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
North Carolina Council of Churches
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Mercy Justice Team
United Church of Christ’s Environmental Justice Ministry
United Methodist Women
Vote Common Good
Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
Wisconsin Council of Churches
Interfaith Power & Light Affiliates
California Interfaith Power & Light
Faith in Place Action Fund/Illinois Interfaith Power & Light
Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
New Hampshire Interfaith Power & Light
New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light
North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light
Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light
Partners
Oxfam America Action Fund
Peace Action Education Fund
