AN INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCACY IN THE SCRIPTURES

The Virginia Interfaith Center believes that as members of faith we have a moral duty to continuously and fervently work for a more just and humane society, and to be the voice for those that have no voice. God and our sacred scriptures form the foundation upon which we develop our policy positions and carry out our work.

The three Abrahamic faith traditions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – are firmly rooted in justice. Justice means acting in an equitable and honest manner; being fair, ethical, and merciful with each person. The sacred texts of these religions, the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Koran, all call their followers to be just and to look out for the poor, the sick, the widowed, the orphaned, the incarcerated, and others who are marginalized and voiceless in our society.

The following is a compilation of scriptures from the sacred texts. While this compilation is certainly not exhaustive, we hope you will find the scriptures helpful as you formulate your own faith-based positions on policy issues.

The Christian New Testament

Biblically, justice decries cheating people out of a fair price for their grain; exploiting poor people who are unable to pay their debts; bribing judges; overcharging; and paying inadequate wages.

Jesus stood in the prophetic tradition of calling everyone to a life of personal and social righteousness. He announced his ministry in the words of the prophet Isaiah, "I have come to preach freedom to the captives and good news to the poor."

At the end, Jesus was executed for his prophecies pronouncing doom on Jerusalem and the Temple as divine punishment for the collective guilt of his own people.

1 John 3:17-18 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. (NRSV)

James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them .“Go in peace; keep warm and eat you fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily need, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (NRSV)

Matthew 25:34-36 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (NRSV)

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

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