Left weighs role of religion in public life

By KATE BLAIN- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

People on the right often struggle to bring their ideas on God and morality to the political debate, but a recent meeting in Albany proved that the left deals with the same issues.

"God, Politics and the Left," a panel discussion sponsored by the Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club, included:

* Rev. Daniel Hahn, director of Lutheran Statewide Advocacy and of Interfaith Impact, a state-wide religious coalition;

* Charles King, co-executive director of Housing Works of New York City, an AIDS activist and an ordained Southern Baptist minister; and

* Anschel Weiss, executive director of Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York and a teacher at The University at Albany.

Terminology

The panelists began by agreeing that religion and politics can and should affect each other, although some balked at labels like "left" and "right."

"We try not to see the world as `left' and `right,' but `up and down and why is it so,'" explained Rev. Hahn. "The role of religion is to remind the powers that be what we're about."

Mr. King noted that it isn't just that religion should affect one's political views, but vice versa. "It is absolutely critical that our faith not only inform our politics, but our politics inform our faith," he stated.

Activism

In the activist's own life, working with AIDS victims and the homeless has been one way to live his faith.

"It obviously influences my day-to-day [activities], but also my political posture, my political involvement," he said. "How do I convince people that if they really do believe in Christ, they're compelled to do the same sorts of things I'm compelled to do?"

Mr. Weiss called politics "one way we can come together as a community to improve the world around us." Judaic tradition, he said, teaches the value of deeds vs. words with the adage: "Do much; talk little; let your actions speak for what you believe in."

He pointed out that part of the struggle between people on the left and right is that "we have joined the fray, trying to outdo the right;" but "we're all created in God's image. Do we want to recognize that together we can enhance the community and do it through our deeds? The challenge is ours. Can we transform politics from this slugfest into something else?"

Promise Keepers

A prime example of this struggle came up during the question-and-answer period. A questioner wanted the panel's ideas on dealing with the Promise Keepers, an organization advocating traditional roles for men and women that plans to hold a gathering at the Pepsi Arena in Albany next year. The questioner characterized the group as "anti-woman and anti-reproductive rights."

"As a person that does advocacy, I find myself uncomfortable attacking people as a religious group," Rev. Hahn responded. "I think telling the truth is the most helpful thing. I think their own actions and words speak for themselves."

Mr. King argued in favor of "challenging [the Promise Keepers'] definition of who God is," but Mr. Weiss noted that "the worst thing you could do is challenge their right to say whatever they want to say. Instead of reacting, we need to pro-act. The best response is to tell everyone from a positive view who you are, where you're coming from."

Media use

Another questioner debated a biblical concept quoted by a panelist: "Perfect love casts out fear." The religious right uses the media to spread its message, the questioner noted; if the religious left doesn't do the same, "can perfect love cast out fear if it doesn't get on TV?"

One panelist argued in favor of the left using marketing strategies, while another noted that working "on a human level is far more powerful than a billion-dollar spin."

Jesus used direct action to get His message across, Mr. King pointed out, adding: "Perfect love gives you the courage you need to get up and fight, to make your own declaration of what justice means."

Common goals

Panel moderator Judith Mazza, first ward leader for the Albany Democratic Party, brought up the idea that the left and right must sometimes work together to accomplish common aims.

"We all have different views of who this God is," she noted. "At different times, we have to be open enough to form unlikely coalitions."

Whether someone has a different view of God shouldn't matter as much as whether the work is getting done, Mr. Weiss said. "Let God worry about God," he concluded. "Our job is to worry about people. The challenge for us is to live up to the best we can be; and God, then, is seen. God appears through the people when they engage in acts of being holy."

Still, Mr. King believed that the left should be as free as the right in making known their beliefs on God. "Other folk are out there defining God every day," he said. "We need to be able to reclaim God."

(06-24-99) [[In-content Ad]]