Values Exercise
Call to Prayer: Because we are people who believe in God, who trust in the goodness of the individuals who create our society, who have hope for the world, we must be responsible citizens. Following the call of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops tonight we will seek to bring the assets of our faith to the process of electoral discernment by utilizing “a consistent moral framework anchored in the scriptures and expressed in the teaching of the Church.” Making an informed choice is difficult, indeed, “there is no Catholic voting formula, and there is rarely, if ever, a perfect candidate for Catholic voters.” So what is our responsibility as Catholics? It is essential that we examine our individual conscience, scripture, and Church teachings on social responsibility.
Before proceeding a brief word: Discussions of politics, especially when they involve the relationship between politics and religion can become very heated. It is important to recognize that “the Church’s social teaching is neither liberal nor conservative. It seeks simply to be faithful to God’s call.” Therefore, we should “carefully avoid the appearance of being partisan or ideological. The key is to” remain faithful to scripture and the Church’s social teaching. “people of goodwill might see complex social issues differently. Each of us should strive to be faithful to the teachings [of the Church] and respectful of others in discussing issues. The Second Vatican Council taught, “Very often the Christian vision will suggest a certain solution in some given situation. Yet it happens rather frequently, and legitimately so, that some of the faithful, with no less sincerity, will see the problem quite differently…Let [people], then, try to guide each other by sincere dialogue in a spirit of mutual charity and with anxious interest above all in the common good.”
Scripture: Wisdom 7: 7-12
(Leader should invite a participant to read this passage aloud and allow for silent reflection, play some soft, reflective music for about 5 mins. During this time)
Activity: Personal Influences: (Hand one of the following out to each group member, self included, allow time to reflect and fill out; follow up with discussion, using the questions below to lead the conversation)
What Do You Take With You Into the Voting Booth?
Take a moment to reflect on how much or how little each of the following categories influence how you vote, with 1 being no influence, and 5 being strong influence.
When I vote, I am influenced by:
My gender…………….........................1……….2……….3……….4………..5
My race, or ethnic culture.....................1……….2……….3……….4………..5
My economic status…………………..1……….2……….3……….4………...5
My profession………………………....1………2……….3……….4.………..5
My political party affiliation………….1……….2…….....3……….4………...5
My religious beliefs…………………..1……….2.……….3………4…….......5
My values…………………………….1……….2………..3………4………....5
My past experiences………………….1……….2………..3………4…………5
Being a parent (if applicable)………...1………2………...3……….4………...5
Other_______________________......1………2………....3………4…………5
For Discussion:
While many things influence how you vote, which of the factors named above are particularly important to you in making political decisions? Why?
Why is it important in any election to have people of different economic classes voting? Of different ethnic backgrounds? Of the opposite sex?
Go back to the scripture passage, re-read it if necessary:
What does this passage suggest about what our responsibilities are as voters, what does it suggest about the qualities we should expect of our leaders?
What does the scripture passage suggest about the task of forming our conscience; how should this process of formation occur?
Closing Prayer: (Pass around, allowing each person to read a stanza until the prayer is completed)
From Prayer Without Borders, Celebrating Global Wisdom
To have hope
Is to believe that history continues open
To the dream of God and to human creativity.
To have hope
Is to continue affirming
That it is possible to dream a different world,
Without hunger, without injustice,
Without discrimination.
To have hope
Is to be a courier of God
And courier of men and women of good will,
Tearing down walls, destroying borders,
Building bridges.
To have hope
Is to believe in the revolutionary potential of faith,
Is to leave the door open so that
The Spirit can enter and make all things anew.
To have hope
Is to believe that life wins over death.
To have hope
Is to begin again as many times as necessary.
To have hope
Is to believe that hope is not
The last thing that dies.
To have hope
Is to believe that hope cannot die,
That hope no longer dies.
To have hope
Is to live.
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