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 Qur’an:

Zakat- giving to the poor- is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are required to give annually to the poor to purify wealth and make one worthy of God’s gift and grace.

God says in the Qur’an-2-177- “ It is righteousness to believe in God and the Judgement Day, and the Angels, and the Holy Books and the Messengers, to spend your substance, out of love for God, for your kin, for the orphans, for the needy, for the travelers, for those who ask, and the ransom of slaves.”

And in Chapter 93, it is written –
“Did not He find you Orphan and give you shelter?
And He found you wandering and gave you guidance
And He found you in need and gave you wealth.
Therefore, do not treat the orphan with harshness
Nor repulse the person who asks
But, proclaim and share God’s endowment to you.

The Holy Koran, 4:135
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be rich or poor; For God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, God is well acquainted with all the you do.

The Holy Koran, 76:8-9 “…they feed for the love of God the indigent, the orphan and the captive (saying): “We feed you for the sake of God alone. No reward do we desire from you nor thanks.’”

The Holy Koran, Chapter 6:90
God commands justice, the doing of good and giving to kins and forbids all indecent deeds, and evil, and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may remember.

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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