Center Co-Sponsors Alternative Political Conversation Online

January 18, 2012

The Center for Public Justice will co-sponsor an "alternative political conversation" hosted online at www.respectfulconversation.net starting Feb. 1, 2012. The conversation aims to provide a "stark contrast to the hyper-partisan and vitriolic political discourse that we anticipate leading up to the 2012 elections," according to project organizer Harold Heie, a former Center for Public Justice trustee.

Beginning with an agreed-upon set of “Basic Christian Principles for Politics and Public Policy,” six commentators will post periodic position papers on announced topics (e.g., immigration, health care, and the economy). Readers can then post comments in a moderated forum. The commentators are:

• Amy Black (Wheaton College)
• Paul Brink (Gordon College)
• David Gushee (Mercer University)
• Lisa Sharon Harper (Sojourners)
• Steve Monsma (Henry Institute, Calvin College)
• Eric Teetsel (American Enterprise Institute)

While these commentators do not speak for their affiliated organizations, they represent a variety of positions all along the political spectrum, and are committed to thoughtful, respectful conversation about their differing positions.

Along with the Center for Public Justice, this project is co-sponsored by the Center for Christian Studies at Gordon College and the Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics at Calvin College.