TELE-PRESS CONFERENCE: New Online Database Documents Resurgence of Progressive Faith Organizing
Google Maps Technology Powers Database of 3,000 Groups Nationwide
**PRESS TELECONFERENCE THURSDAY, 11:00 AM EST**
Monday, June 18, 2007
Amidst a political season riddled with religious references, Faith in Public Life and religious leaders from across the country will launch Mapping Faith -- a new online database documenting a nationwide resurgence in progressive faith organizing.
This Google Maps-powered database identifies and locates 3,000 groups organizing around more than a dozen causes, including poverty, the environment, human rights and peace, race, and immigration.
Searchable by issue focus, state, and zip code, Mapping Faith puts to rest those who would doubt the vitality of progressive faith organizing. A report accompanying the Mapping Faith database finds:
• A diverse faith community: 631 Interfaith, 554 Catholic, 499 Mainline Protestant, 263 Jewish and 100 Evangelical groups organizing around progressive causes.
• No red state-blue state divide: 1573 groups in red states; 1331 in blue.
• A broad values agenda: 46% of groups nationwide prioritize poverty; 40% peace and human rights; 20% health care/AIDS; and 10% environment.
WHO: Local Organizers from across the Nation Identified on the Map:
Rev. Mark Diemer, Convener, We Believe Ohio – Columbus, Ohio
Allen Johnson, Founder, Christians for the Mountains – Dunmore,
West Virginia
Boo Tyson, Director, MAINStream Coalition of Kansas – Prairie
Village, Kansas
Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Founding Director, Just Congregations –
Boston, Massachusetts
Plus, Faith in Public Life’s David Buckley, principle author of Mapping Faith report.
DATE: Thursday, June 21
TIME: 11:00 AM Eastern
CALL-IN: 1-800-658-0035
PASS CODE: FAITH
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Faith in Public Life is a communications and organizing resource center dedicated to increasing the strength and visibility of faith leaders dedicated to justice and the common good. Faith in Public Life is a not-for-profit nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization.
CONTACT: Katie Barge 202.481-8147 / 202-243-8289 or kbarge@faithinpubliclife.org
