Money in Politics: In God We Trust

The Christian faith declares that God is the center of our lives, and nothing should encroach. The love of money, called "the root of all evils" (1 Tim 6:10), has constantly threatened dedication to God. Jesus was very clear: "You cannot serve God and wealth" (Mt 6:24), and yet we have made an idol of profit-making in this country. We need to take an honest look at our relationship to corporations and greed while listening to Ex 23:24: "You shall not bow down and serve them."

Many Americans are standing by as corporations grab more power following the Supreme Court case Citizens United, which has increased money's ability to influence elections and fosters favors and legalized bribery. On the opposite side of wealth, there have been efforts in many states to obstruct access to the ballot through voter identification laws, shortened voting periods and restrictions on voter registration efforts. As many as 25% of Africans Americans and 15% of low-income people who are eligible to vote do not have a valid ID. We cannot stand by while the power of money is strengthened for those at the top while the power of voting is weakened for the poor and marginalized.

The following resources address this topic:

Take Action

• Get Training in Creating a Press Event: View Webinar
• Organize an Action: FAN Blueprint for Action
• Write a Letter to the Editor: Tools from the Center for Media Justice
• Break Up with Your Mega-Bank

• Lent 2012: Faith in the Cross vs. Faith in the Dollar Sign

• A 9 min. Video on Corporations Buying Our Democracy
• Report on How the For-Profit Prison Industry is Corrupting Immigration Policies

• email Lonnie Ellis, Director of Organizing, to start a conversation about your ideas.