This full-page ad ran in nine West Virginia newspapers right before the election (eight on Oct. 30 and one on Oct. 31).  Several clergy who felt "the right wing crowd is running over us" met in late September or early October.  In what Rev. Jim Lewis described as "an amazing piece of organizing" 600 West Virginians signed on and they raised $20,000 through word-of-mouth and e-mail.  In addition to Lewis, key people in organizing the effort includedThe Reverend Jack Lipphardt of House of the Carpenter in Wheeling and Bishop William Boyd Grove D.Min. of The United Methodist Church in Charleston.

People of Faith for Kerry
“Ye shall know them by their fruits”  Matthew 7:16

As people of faith, we question the authority that President Bush and the religious right have assumed in the name of God.

·        President Bush says he had conversations with God before he took the nation to war with Iraq.

·        President Bush says his domestic agenda is based on Christian principles.

·        Campaign literature (distributed by the Republican National Committee) claims that John Kerry will ban the Bible.

·        President Bush makes frequent references to his faith in speeches and interviews.

Talking the talk is not enough. Faith is about walking the talk. Faith works.

And how has Mr. Bush’s faith worked for our nation?

Jesus and the Hebrew Prophets warned folks about those who looked like a sound tree but produced no good fruit.

The real test of faith is known by what kind of fruit a person and nation bear. Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16)

 

As people of faith we ask:

What kind of fruit has President Bush and his Administration produced?

 
WAR—The war in Iraq was preemptive, misdirected, unjustified, and without a clear plan for peace. The world is less safe because the President has squandered the good will of other nations after 9/11 and because his rush to war has spawned countless new terror cells around the world.

“Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

 
STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT—The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act have been stripped of their power to protect God’s earth and God’s people. Global warming and a new energy policy have not been addressed.

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

 
JOBS & THE POOR—Under the Bush Administration, many jobs have been lost and others have been shipped overseas. More and more people have fallen into unemployment and poverty. Tax breaks for the rich abound, while the middle class and poor get poorer.

“He has sent me to bring good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:2)

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”


HEALTH CARE—Mr. Bush has pandered to the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance lobby and failed to provide adequate health care for children, the elderly and those without health insurance.

We believe our nation should embody the virtues of the Good Samaritan who cared for
the injured man on the side of the road. (Luke 10:33)

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

 
            We are voting for John Kerry for President.