| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
27 Jul 2005 11:04:15 AM |
| Object: |
10 WAYS TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY |
Recently posted at
HRSepCnS · Hampton Roads SepChurch&State
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HRSepCnS/
Challenging the Religious Right
Challenging the Christian Right The Activist's Handbook
Challenging the Christian Right
The Activist's Handbook
Frederick Clarkson & Skipp Porteous
To go along with the "What others are doing" thread I am offering some
posts from the above workbook.
The workbook is dated a bit since it was published in the 90s but
there would still be worthwhile things in it that I can post that
might trigger some discussions and give others ideas for things they
might do in their own particular areas, as well as give us ideas for
things to try in this area.
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10 WAYS TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY
The following are things you can do which will have an impact on
public policy. These activities apply when you are trying to influence
the actions of elected officials-local, state, or national. Many
ofthese tasks can be done with minimal effort from your own home!
Write a letterto yourrepresentative(s). Use personal experience
or anecdotes to explain why you support or oppose a particular bill
or policy.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Most
letters are printed. This is a good way to alert your community to the
issues.
Call in with your concerns to local radio talk shows. Perhaps
there will be a talk show which focuses on your issue ... or there may
be some "open" lines, when all topics are fair game. This is an
opportunity to raise the awareness of other community members.
Speak to your friends. Persuade a friend to write a letter or
make a call.
Call or visit a public official. Elected officials are your
representatives. Feel free to contact them by telephone or set up a
visit. Explain why you support or oppose a particular issue.
Register to vote and vote! This is the most fundamental way
to influence public policy.
Agree to serve on a citizen's committee that deals with health
or educational issues. Find out what's happening in your neighborhood.
Check with your city council, your state representatives, or your
school board members.
Start a social action committee at your church. Use the
opportunity to bring up the issues that concern you. Educate the
committee members. Develop a plan of action.
Join your political party's local precinct committee.
Attend a public meeting- school board, legislative hearing,
city council meeting - all are open to the public.
This material originally appeared in Empowering Voicesfor Choice,
published by Planned Parenthood ofNorthern and Central Arizona.
THE ACTIVIST'S HANDBOOK 123
**************************************************************
You are invited to check out the following:
The Constitutional Principle: Separation of Church and State
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
[and the discussion group for the above site listed below]
HRSepCnS · Hampton Roads SepChurch&State
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HRSepCnS/
[Its not just Hampton Roads folks who are members]
For people in Hampton Roads you are also invited to join
NORFOLK/VA. B. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE MEETUP GROUP
http://churchandstate.meetup.com/47/
Virginia Chapter Americans United for Separation of Church and State
http://au-va.org/
***************************************************************
.. . . You can't understand a phrase such as "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion" by syllogistic reasoning. Words
take their meaning from social as well as textual contexts, which is why "a
page of history is worth a volume of logic." New York Trust Co. v. Eisner,
256 U.S. 345, 349, 41 S.Ct. 506, 507, 65 L.Ed. 963 (1921) (Holmes, J.).
Sherman v. Community Consol. Dist. 21, 980 F.2d 437, 445 (7th Cir. 1992)
.. . .
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THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE:
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/index.html
"Dedicated to combatting 'history by sound bite'."
Now including a re-publication of Tom Peters
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE HOME PAGE
and
Audio links to Supreme Court oral arguments and
Speech by civil rights/constitutional lawyer and others.
This site is a member of the following web rings:
Freethought Ring--&--Freethought, Religion & Beliefs Ring
The First Amendment Ring--&--The Church-State Ring
American History WebRing--&--The History Ring
Let Freedom Ring--&--Religious Freedom Ring
Law Issues Ring--&--Legal Research Ring
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