Alabama Baptists and other concerned Christians are among the many beginning to get involved and voice their opinion about the current debate over attempts to legalize slot machines in the state.
But recent comments by legislators have some Alabama Baptist leaders concerned.
“It’s important not to attack people,” said Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program. “Attack the issues, not people.”
Godfrey and other leaders have heard reports that some legislators are receiving mean-spirited calls, e-mails and letters from constituents. One legislator also said a Baptist pastor confronted him in person and “told me they didn’t need my type in Montgomery.”
Those types of comments and interactions are not what Godfrey and others calling for action mean by “get involved” and “voice your opinion.”
“As Christians, we represent Christ and must remember to be considerate and respectful to others, even those we disagree with,” Godfrey said. “Be courteous and gracious and not just to legislators but to the secretaries and switchboard operators,” he added. “The secretaries and switchboard operators don’t even have anything to do with the legislation. They are just doing their job and certainly don’t deserve to be abused.”
Godfrey also noted that in some cases a legislator might be wavering on an issue and truly trying to decide which side to take. If a concerned citizen is courteous, then that would carry more weight, he said.
Several senators and representatives also said callers who are informed on the topic at hand are always appreciated. Mass calls from people who really don’t know what they are talking about or are only calling because “my pastor told me to call and tell you to vote no” have little validity.
“We don’t pay any attention to form letters, produced in mass and signed by different people or calls where the person obviously doesn’t understand the issue,” said Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale.
“But if a person calls or visits and legitimately wants to discuss the issue, then we definitely listen.”
Scores of senators and representatives agreed. And several secretaries said they don’t even pass the obvious mass-produced calls, letters, fliers and/or e-mails along to the legislators.
It is important to be informed, Godfrey said, but even without a large knowledge base on an issue, one’s opinion can still carry weight as long as it is delivered appropriately and graciously. “When you call, note that you want to record your opinion about the issue,” he said. “With the current bingo gambling issue, you might say something like, ‘I am against all gambling bills and any procedural votes that might advance the bill through the Legislature.’”
To contact your senator, call 334-242-7800. To contact your representative, call 334-242-7600.
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