About Faith in Public Life
Faith in Public Life (FPL) has played an important role in changing the narrative about the role of faith in politics, winning major progressive policy victories, and empowering new religious leaders to fight for social justice and the common good. Our media expertise, rapid-response capabilities and strategic campaign development have made us respected commentators in the media and valued partners with a range of religious groups working for economic and social justice.
About Jen
Rev. Jennifer Butler is committed to amplifying the connection between faith and social justice, has the heart of a community organizer, and is an ordained minister. She is the founding Executive Director of Faith in Public Life, which works to change the narrative about the role of faith in politics, wins major policy victories, and empowers religious leaders to fight for the common good.
The Spiritual Practices to Cast Tyrants from their Thrones
Biblical Strategies to Resist Empire
From Who Stole My Bible: Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for Resisting Tyranny
By Rev. Jennifer Butler
Restore Human Dignity: Whenever we see a category of people dehumanized we must move to interrupt: #SayHerName: Breonna Taylor; counter able-ism to ensure everyone can participate; acknowledge the range of sexualities God created; welcome the stranger. (Genesis 1:27)
Keep the Sabbath. God’s gift of Sabbath protects us from imperial economic systems that lead to overwork and numbing ourselves with consumerism and brand seduction. (Deuteronomy 5:12-15)
Know History. The preamble to the law is “Remember you were once slaves and I freed you.” Draw near to the historical perspective of those oppressed. Learn critical race theory. Embrace the 1619 project. (Exodus 20:2)
Pray & Meditate. Prayer clears our mind from the lies told by the propaganda of the empire. Listen to your body: it speaks to you. Where do you feel the pain? What is it telling you? (Luke 5:16)
Build Diverse Coalitions: The midwives, Miriam and Pharoah’s daughter created a multifaith, international, cross race and class resistance movement that brought God into history to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery. Embrace the leadership of women of color and build broad coalitions. (Exodus 1)
Investigate Truth: Pontious Pilate said that truth is defined by the empire (What is truth?). We see through propaganda by studying scripture alongside those experiencing the impact of imperial oppression. Go to them and listen.
Bear Witness to Hope: Hope not a prediction or assurance everything will be ok. It is a commitment to imagine and work for a better future even when empires call our vision naive or impossible. We take heart by walking in a cloud of witnesses– past, present and future. Speak with our ancestors and focus on playing your part. (Hebrews 12:1)