Braver Faith

Connecting people of faith so that our communities may flourish.

Braver Angels is a civic organization that develops educational tools to build bridges between people divided over politics. We also partner with religious groups who use our tools in the context of their own religious traditions. For people of faith, civil discourse often begins in recognizing the image of God and/or the inherent dignity in our conversation partner. As a result, our approach should involve mutual respect. Respect, not agreement, is an essential key for a healthy discussion.

Questions?

For questions, contact Laura from the Braver Faith Team at braver-faith@braverangels.org

Connecting people of faith so that our communities may flourish

Thanksgiving Invitation Responses

Between Thanksgiving and Inauguration Day we asked for your wisdom through three questions to reflect on all there is to be grateful for about our country, our hopes for our country, and what we can do to realize these hopes. Your responses illuminate and celebrate common values and traits of America that Reds and Blues share gratitude for and what we love about our country across our political differences. Check out some of the highlights below and get inspired to take action toward what we hope for America’s future.

Note: Responses advance automatically. Hover over a response to hold it or swipe to move more quickly.

What are you grateful for about America?

"We can freely speak our minds on politics or religion even if we know there is disagreement. It's not unusual in other countries to be murdered if there is disagreement politically or religiously. My cousin's husband's relative was beheaded several years ago in a country where it was illegal to not follow the state religion. What Freedom we have in America!"

“I am grateful that a person can, usually, be who they are, speak their mind. Everyone can get an education and become whatever they aspire to. People of all ethnicities, religions, etc are treated equally.”

“I am grateful that I am now an old man. I have lived through many variants of presidential and political administrations....from far right to far left and everything in between. And I am grateful to have seen first hand that the republic goes on, we citizens go on, I have gone on...from anti-war, lefty firebrand of the late Sixties to my present Conservatism. This is a fine country, a loving country, we citizens are canted to get along, to appreciate each other, to welcome each other, to embrace each other. As I have said to "despondent" Harris voters, "This too shall pass." because it always does. And I am most grateful that this country is the magnificent place it is...I would never want to live anywhere else. God bless.”

“I am grateful that we are guided by the dreams and wisdom of The Declaration of Independence and that we are free to choose our own paths in life, to organize with others as we think best, and to voice different opinions than the government leaders currently in power.”

"That America was founded upon a set of positive values, such as that God created all people equal with inherent rights and dignity, freedom of religion and conscience, democracy, peaceful coexistence across ideological & identity differences, and optimism that what is flawed can be improved. Whatever difficulties or divisions we face, we always have these founding values to be a source of unity and inspiration for moving forward."

"I am grateful for our complex and rich cultural heritage. I am grateful for the current moment in which we always have the opportunity to navigate gracefully with patience and optimism. I am grateful for our constitution and the important checks and balances it provides for both political parties. I am grateful to the past administration for doing some things quite well. I am grateful for the incoming administration for some of its genuine goals and dreams for peace and stability. I am grateful for the American Spirit, truly a soaring bird! I am grateful for the delicate beauty of our hills, rivers and fragrant blooming meadows. I am grateful for our enduring faith in one another and overall goodwill toward other nations as well."

What is your hope for America as the country moves through the Presidential transition?

“I am beginning to hear people say that they want to understand the other side. I want to see more of this happening. I'm hoping that our system works and that the branches of government work to make sure that there are no excesses in any one branch.”

"I hope that all Americans, no matter who they voted for, will take the time to learn to listen with genuine curiosity and kindness; that we will all finally recognize that, although we are different in perspectives, we have more in common than our differences; that we can lift each other and ourselves up as we work together to bring us closer together as Americans, rather than dividing ourselves into nothing more than self-serving "tribes". I hope that elected officials at every level of government look beyond their own or their party's own self interest to lift up and support all Americans, not just those of greater power and wealth."

"We need to look each other in the eye to see each other’s humanity and listen actively to understand each other’s story. If we can do this, we can, again work together to improve our nation, with our strong spirit and determined heart. This will mean tuning out to messages of hate and polarization, to focus on what really matters."

"My hope for the United States of America is that we decrease the affective polarization, secure our borders, strengthen our military, increase individual economic prosperity, and lower our national debt."

"That we refrain from scapegoating and protect the most vulnerable people in our society"

"I hope that there will be a greater collaboration on the issues of: boosting our economy, assist private entrepreneurial-ship, foreign policy, antiwar stance, aid to the needy, climate change awareness, native-American respect inclusiveness, liberty and justice for all, non discrimination, no death penalty, care for the elderly, limitation on abortion cases, medical and urgent care for all, less taxes, less property taxes, more equal distribution of wealth, reform of juridical system, reduction of jail time for good conduct, reduction of deficit, free trade and by-partisan laws implementation."

What is one thing you commit to do to help achieve your hope for America?

"To try harder to see the humanity in those with different ideas and opinions."

"Being informed and making my thoughts heard to my congresspeople"

"Stay active volunteering, with organizations, especially Braver Angels who are trying to bring back unity to our country."

"I talk to everyone!!! I cannot stop talking to people lately! I want to know what strangers, friends, and family believe when it comes to issues. I want to know why they think the way they think and I want to maintain enough decorum in a conversation to explain my thoughts and why I think a certain way. It has been a practice years in the making, but for the most part i've been able to maintain healthy relationships and conversations while still being open to hearing opposing views. How can I change anyone's mind if I don't understand where they are coming from?"

"Recognize when I am feeling anger or fear, and extend kindness to myself and the person I'm reacting to."

"Have manners, smile and show blues that libertarian/red is not the enemy - and not to be feared"

Workshops

Looking to sponsor a faith-oriented workshop?

Depolarizing Ourselves

Participants explore why we, as individuals, are polarized and how to address it for two faith traditions: Christian (Catholic and Protestant) and Jewish.

Explore

*More faith traditions are in development

*Any Braver Angels member can volunteer to facilitate this workshop after self-training

Faith-Sponsored

Faith organizations hosting a standard BA workshop lead an opening/closing activity specific to the tradition (faith-based rationale, prayer, or other practices).

*Requires a trained Braver Angels moderator

Discussion Guide: "A Christian Response to Political Polarization"

Want to introduce Braver Angels to your faith community within a Christian context? Try out our discussion guide and learn how Christian teachings of Imago Dei and the Golden Rule can help combat political polarization. This resource includes two files, one for the discussion leader and another for the participants. No training required!

Download the guide

The Faith Caucus

The Faith Caucus provides support and enhances the unique contributions that people of faith bring to the work of Braver Angels.

Find Out More

Partner with Us

Join Braver Network and connect with over 50 organizations in the Religion/Spirituality Sector to develop your skills and contribute to the movement for civic renewal.

Our Team

The Braver Faith Leadership Team is equally red and blue, and represents several faith traditions including Catholic, Episcopal, Evangelical, Jewish, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Methodist, Muslim and Presbyterian.