The following text is from Resolution 21.55, introduced at the 2007 Desert Southwest Conference Annual Conference and subsequently passed by the Covenant Council. This text has been distributed to both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Resolution Calling for Civility and Substance in Elections
Whereas: We live in a Democracy where we elect people to represent us and give voice to important national and local issues;
Whereas: We expect that our leaders and elected officials will conduct themselves as representatives of our call to be one people and one nation under a loving God;
Whereas: We must understand the substantive positions of those running for office so that we can see if their solutions represent the greatest good and justice for all people;
Whereas: We recognize that a person's character may be one of the most important aspects governing our vote;
Whereas: How a person conducts themselves during an election may be the most important manifestation of their character.
Whereas: Civility and civilization share the same root, reminding us that it is a genuine sense of respecting others, even in our differences, that creates a healthy civilization.
Whereas: Character assassination and the coarsening of social discourse seem increasingly more prevalent in our elections;
Whereas: We see a United States now being described as two nations with blue states and red states;
Whereas: The disrespectful ways in which elections are conducted often lead us to disrespect and distrust good people with different ideas even to the point of questioning and attacking their patriotism at times;
Whereas: In this climate of disrespect we tragically see a rise in participation of hate groups that now feel free to express their own disrespect for others in their prejudices.
Whereas: We have begun to lose the heart and soul, the compassion and concern for others that made us a great nation;
Therefore be it resolved: That we, as the church, do all in our power to hold those who represent us to a standard of behavior that represents the Great Commandment of loving our neighbors and respecting others as children of God;
Therefore be it resolved: That we, as the church, encourage debate or dialogue between candidates which churches can host that with the merits and strengths of their solutions without disrespecting the integrity of their opponents or resorting to name calling as a response to another's position;
Therefore be it resolved: That we, as the church, encourage that all candidates present solutions in written form to the important issues facing our nation, while not belittling others for their beliefs;
Therefore be it resolved: That we immediately voice our displeasure to the candidate and his or her political party when he or she diminishes other candidates through character assassination;
Therefore be it resolved: We, as the church, make the manner in which candidates conduct themselves a prime basis for whether we vote for them.