New Online Database Documents Resurgence of Faith Organizing for the Common Good
Google Maps-Powered Database ID’s 3,000 Groups Nationwide
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Mapping Faith Database:
http://faithinpubliclife.org/map/index.html
Mapping Faith Report:
http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/content/feature/upload/2007/06/MappingFaithRp.pdf
(Washington, DC) – Amidst a political season riddled with religious references, Faith in Public Life, joined by religious leaders from across the country, today launched Mapping Faith -- a new online database documenting a nationwide resurgence in faith-based organizing around causes for justice and the common good.
Searchable by issue focus, state, and zip code, 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.
“After a year of research and interviews with faith leaders in all 50 states, Mapping Faith documents the vibrancy of faith-based organizing for justice and the common good nationwide, allows groups across the country to find new allies, and provides reporters with an unprecedented resource for finding local sources,” said Rev. Jennifer Butler, Executive Director of Faith in Public Life.
In a teleconference with reporters today, Rev. Mark Diemer, Co-Convener of We Believe Ohio, noted how Mapping Faith helped his organization grow. “We Believe Ohio began in central Ohio in November of 2005. With Mapping Faith, we have been able to expand statewide, with a sister group in Cleveland and individuals in other parts of the state seeking to start We Believe Ohio chapters in Akron/Canton, Cincinnati, and Dayton.”
A analytical report accompanying the Mapping Faith database finds:
1. A diverse faith community: 631 Interfaith, 554 Catholic, 499 Mainline Protestant, 263 Jewish and 100 Evangelical groups organizing around causes for justice and the common good.
Across the country, American Jews are joining hands with their Christian and Muslim brothers and sisters, and partners across lines of race and class, to build power for justice,” said Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Founding Director of Just Congregations. “Called by our ancient tradition’s demand to ‘do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God’, synagogue leaders are leading their congregations into effective coalitions fighting for issues that reflect our deep faith.”
2. No red state-blue state divide: 1573 groups in red states; 1331 in blue.
Ms. Boo Tyson, Executive Director of the MAINStream Coalition of Kansas noted, “In so many ways, those color-descriptions of “red” and “blue” misunderstand the reality of voters here on the ground,” she said. “People in Kansas are more interested in protecting our democracy and our religious vitality than in promoting one political party to the exclusion of the others.”
3. A broad values agenda: 46% of groups nationwide prioritize poverty; 40% peace and human rights; 20% health care/AIDS; and 10% environment.
The rapid growth in grassroots religious advocacy on behalf of the environment was notable in the Mapping Faith research process. Mr. Allan Johnson, Founder of Christians for the Mountains in Dunmore, West Virginia, elaborated on this trend: “We ourselves are Christians from various denominations, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant. In certain areas we differ from each other, yet we are united together in our advocacy for God's creation. What is especially touching is that a number of battle-worn environmental activists have told us that our bringing in our religious faith stance has given them fresh hope and new energy that the cause will be won."
Faith in Public Life looks forward to building on the launch of Mapping Faith with continued organizing and communications support for faith groups organizing nationwide.
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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
