A) Introduction

I believe that Christians are called to take an active role in political, social and justice issues.  The American cultural dictum "separation of church and state" has attempted to domesticate Christianity and so take out its social justice sting.  Christian political action is action in favour of God's justice and is distinct from evangelism.  Often, Christian political action is equated with conservative politics but this is unfortunate.  The liberal individualism of the American constitution is not a Christian philosophy, and those American Christian conservatives who would equate American constitutional values with Christianity are in serious error.  Religious liberals who would domesticate Christianity to serve their liberal political agenda of individualistic moral anarchy are equally mistaken.

B) Consistent Life Ethic - Affirming Human Life

The consistent life ethic is one that opposes all facets of a culture of death.  It opposes capital punishment, abortion, poverty, access to guns, and any other thing that kills or threatens human life.  I feel strongly that Christianity requires the adoption of a consistent life ethic.  The Seamless Garment network is the leading site on arguing for a consistent Christian ethic towards life.  The American Seamless Garment network has its own site.  Two other very interesting and excellent sites committed to a consistent life ethic are Leftout - A Haven for Progressive Pro-Lifers and Activism: Making a Difference.  These sites provide many links to social justice organizations.  The Catholic Pax Christi site includes links and position statements on many issues.

I have listed here sites from various "life ethic" perspectives.  I strongly believe that society must set the value of human life and must extend protection to the youngest, most vulnerable human beings - the unborn.  The "pro-choice" position on abortion really means privatizing the value of human life (each person can "choose" whether they value a human being enough not to kill it) - an absolutely abhorrent position when one thinks about it.  Abortion is harmful to women, deadly to unborn children, and is a brutal answer to the problem of unwanted pregnancies. Pro-life sites include the National Right to Life Committee, Feminists for Life and Libertarians for Life.

Capital punishment is a blight on civilized society.  Statistics demonstrate that it is not a deterrent and it is really quite obvious that public support for capital punishment stems from a desire for revenge.  The state's killing of people to satisfy public bloodlust is nothing short of disgusting.  There are many sites opposing the death penalty, including the Death Penalty Information Center, the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and the Derechos Human Rights organization's death penalty page.  There is also a Quaker Declaration for people to sign requesting that the death penalty not be administered to anyone convicted of their murder.

I am a strong advocate of strong gun control laws.  I think it absolutely bizarre and very foolish to allow everybody and anybody to arm themselves.  There is no need for it and it only guarantees a high degree of murder and mayhem.  Using NRA logic, the world would be a safer place if we armed every nation in the world with nuclear weapons.  Arming everyone with guns leads to MAD - Mutually Assured Destruction.  Sites advocating sensible gun laws include GunFree, the Handgun Control page, and the Violence Policy Center.

Although there are some problems with a universal government health care system, I have lived under both the Canadian and American systems.  Although Canada's system of health care has serious problems which the various levels government in Canada are not addressing, I believe that there is much good in universal health care.  Poor people should not go without health care.  The Physicians for a National Health Program advocates a sound and reasonable national health care system for the United States.

The El Centro por los Trabajadores organization, led by a true modern day saint, provides support for migrant workers in central Illinois.  This is a good example of practical social justice outreach.  The Evangelicals for Social Action site describes the social justice efforts of American evangelicals.  World Vision International - and see the World Vision USA and World Vision Canada sites also - is an excellent Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to help people in developing nations.  The Mennonite Central Committee is the Mennonite's international humanitarian organization.

C) Culture of Death: Devaluing Human Life

Opposite of the consistent life ethic are groups which advocate the "pro-choice" positions on abortion and guns, and the pro-death penalty viewpoint.  In other words, individuals can choose whether to respect human life.  The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is a pro-choice group of religious clergy.  I am at a complete loss at how they can reconcile God's love for the weakest children with this advocacy for the brutal death and mutilation of unborn children.  The National Abortion Rights Action League is the major American pro-abortion group as is the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League in Canada.  Wesley Lowe's Pro Capital Punishment page and the Pro-Death Penalty page are representative pro-capital punishment sites.  The National Rifle Association is the leading pro-gun organization in America.