Beneath all the chaos, clamor, confusion, and endless attempts to tell the American electorate how to vote is the commitment, enshrined in the Constitution, that we have the right to vote. The freedom to vote is the foundation of American democracy, and the exercise of one’s right to vote sustains it. Shortly after he was first elected President, Ronald Reagan referred to voting as the “most sacred right of free men and women”. In that same speech on November 7, 1981, he remarked: “for this nation to remain true to its principles we cannot allow any American’s vote to be denied, diluted or defiled. The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties, and we will not see its luster diminished.”
We sanctify our values and bolster our democracy when we vote. The right to vote confers a power on the electorate. It is the power to choose – freely and fairly. America introduced this power to the world two and a half centuries ago, and it has both transformed the operational dynamics of many other countries and has helped shape a more hopeful future, not just for America but for the entire world. This power cannot be taken for granted. And it needs to be protected.
A growing number of faith-based and civic bridge building organizations are deeply engaged in promoting and preserving that sacred right by championing free, fair and safe elections through a program called Faith in America. This coalition brings together nationally recognized leaders including Braver Angels, Interfaith America, faith250, Paths to Understanding, Listen First and the National Institute for Civil Discourse. Its signature event is coming up on November 1st and it will be an inspiring and joyful celebration of American values, American elections and America’s freedoms including the freedom of religion. Register for the November 1st event right here Praying for America – we’d love to have you join us.
Here are two beautiful comments among so many from a previous Praying for America event “This gathering is helping me feel much more hopeful. And I can now go out with more faith in humanity. I have been close to giving up. And now I won’t!” and “This program has made me want to invite my neighbors of many different faiths to actually go together to vote this week. What a beautiful way to stand in solidarity and love as we perform this important civic duty together.”
While each religious tradition involved in the Faith in America expresses its beliefs differently, we all share a deep love for and faith in America. We also feel an urgent need to express that love and faith in a collaborative way. In addition, we open our arms and hearts to those who are not active members of a faith community – if you care deeply about American democracy as embodied in free, fair and safe elections – you are very much welcome!
The Latin root of the religion is religio, which refers to the practices, symbols and narratives that bind people together. To re – lig , which involves bringing the various ligaments together to produce a web of strength and a witness of hope. We have been blessed with a virtual library of America’s sacred documents and songs, which are some of the ligaments of our democracy. Among them the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Gettysburg Address, and America the Beautiful. These civic treasures help hold us together as a country. We read and sing them. We honor them, and by doing so we renew our commitment to the extraordinary legacy of America.
Voting is a power, a power which not only stands up against more aggressive displays of power but can ultimately transform them. Promoting free, fair and safe elections burnishes the crown jewel of American liberty, and at the same time protects and preserves this sacred trust. Voting is a right, a responsibility and also a call to action. As we prepare for November 3, let us pray for the officials and volunteers who administer our election process, for every voter, for every candidate who has offered themselves for election, and for our neighbors whose ballots differ from our own. While many of us care deeply about who gets elected this November, more important than who wins is that the election is free, fair and safe and thereby honors the will of the American people.
