Wisconsin Religious Leaders Call For a Season of Civility

I am including this article in its entirety from the Wisconsin Council of Churches. It reflects well the intention of this blog for civil discussion of political and religious issues.

Today 35 religious leaders from throughout Wisconsin call upon the citizens of our state to enter a "Season of Civility" amidst the partisan rancor of the current recall campaigns and the anticipated divisiveness of the fall election cycle.              "As a result of extreme political polarization in Wisconsin, many in our congregations and communities feel marginalized or demonized by their neighbors on account of their economic status, occupation, or political beliefs," the statement says.      Rev. Scott Anderson, executive director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, which represents 14 Christian denominations, commented that "politics is not a zero sum game or a winner-take-all contest.  Rather it is a joint effort to reach a workable consensus on how to advance the common good.  From the perspective of Wisconsin's religious community, the current political environment is unacceptable in our public life."     The "Call for a Season of Civility" statement declares that the "ability to cooperate to solve common problems and achieve shared goals is now undermined by rampant disrespect, disinformation, distrust, and disregard for the interests and ideas of others."  Calling for change, it draws a parallel between the religious values embodied in "the Golden Rule," to treat others as we would like to be treated, with the idea of democracy, which is based on regard for the value of each and every individual.      In the statement, religious leaders commit to model and support respectful and honest conversations on public issues within their congregations, assemblies and forums.       They also call upon candidates to adhere to high standards of civility, integrity and truthfulness in their ads, including those of "third parties," and invite all citizens to be critical consumers of media and advertising.      The initial list of 35 signatories to the Call for a Season of Civility is expected to grow over the next several weeks as more religious leaders are invited to support it.      The public release of this statement marks the launch of a year-long "Season of Civility" project by the Wisconsin Council of Churches, the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and other local partners to provide resources and training opportunities for clergy and other congregational leaders from many denominations and faiths to practice respectful conversations among people of differing political persuasions. The Council of Churches is also encouraging pastors to preach on the topic of civility during the fall election cycle.  Sermons will be posted on its website at www.wichurches.org.      In supporting the Season of Civility effort, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee Executive Director Tom Heinen concluded, "If we embrace our faith traditions' highest values of compassion and mutual respect, we will rediscover ways to distill wisdom from our differences and a healthier, more functional democracy from our discourse."   Read the statement here

We pray and work together for the unity and renewal   of the Church and the healing and reconciliation of the world.