Faith-Based Organizations and Legislative Advocacy

292 Pages·2016·2.41 MB·English

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Theses and Dissertations Graduate School
2008
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M. Lori Thomas
Virginia Commonwealth University
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Faith-Based Organizations and Legislative Advocacy: A Qualitative Inquiry

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

by

Marye Lorelle (Lori) Thomas
Master of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006
Master of Divinity, Baptist Theological Seminary, 1997
Bachelor of Arts, Carson-Newman College, 1993

Director: F. Ellen Netting, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Social Work

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia
April, 2008
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Acknowledgements

Intellectual milestones are rarely accomplished alone. I owe a perpetual debt of
gratitude to those who have encouraged and sustained me:
To my family whose depth of love and support has provided a foundation for my
adventures and dreams – my gentle brother Benjy who precedes me in all things
intellectual; my dad Taylor who made me take typing and told me I could be anything I
wanted to be; and my mom Ellen whose loving consistency and radical belief in me
made this possible.
To the girls who have become family – Ana, Cathy, Joanna, and Kelly – who with
great encouragement and numerous reality checks have walked through this with me.
To faculty members of programs past who expanded the size of my world and then my
mind and heart – Ms. Carolyn Blevins and Drs. Mark Biddle, Ross Brummett, Don
Garner, and Bob Shurden of the Religion Department at Carson-Newman College, Dr.
Glenn Hinson of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and Dr. Bill Rogers who
gave me Women’s Ways of Knowing, Carol Gilligan, and two semesters of Great Books.
To those faculty members at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social
Work in whose classes and offices I sat becoming a social worker and scholar,
especially Dr. Kia Bentley whose commitment to this doctoral program took my
experience beyond coursework to community.
To the cohort that became my intellectual community and shared this journey, the Black
Swans – Andreas, Carol, Gerry, Monica, Mike, and Sara – I can’t imagine the
experience without you.
To Patty and Jamie McGrath Morris whose generosity, casita, and evening company
elicited one of my most memorable intellectual experiences. I am ready to visit
Gratitude Point.
To my research participants who were candid and generous with their time and
opinions. Their commitment to and belief in their work inspires me.
To my dissertation committee who shared my enthusiasm for a neglected area of
scholarship – Dr. Susan Gooden, your early feedback and key contacts shaped the
process and product; Dr. Njeri Jackson, your participation in my dissertation was
serendipitous and your questions have made my work stronger; Dr. David Fauri, you
brought the political and historical insight I loved in your class to my dissertation
experience; Dr. Mary Katherine O’Connor, my advisor, your compelling instruction
drew me into the doctoral program and your courage has shaped my definition of social
work and scholarship; and, Dr. Ellen Netting, my dissertation chair, you inspired joy
and curiosity on the days I thought I had nothing left. I treasure every kitchen table
conversation. I hope to develop your wisdom.
Thank you all. I am better for sharing a part of my life with you.
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For Poppy
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Table of Contents

List of Tables & Figures............................................................................................viii
Abstract.......................................................................................................................ix
Chapter 1: Rationale for Study......................................................................................1
Definitional Ambiguity.............................................................................................4
Faith-based or Religious?.....................................................................................4
Advocacy Organization or Interest Group?...........................................................7
Why Study Faith-Based Lobbying?...........................................................................9
Historical Relevance.............................................................................................9
Contemporary Relevance....................................................................................10
Why Study Faith-Based Lobbying in the States?.....................................................13
Why Study Virginia?..............................................................................................17
Variation of Religious Organizations..................................................................17
The Tradition of the Separation of Church and State...........................................19
Why Social Work?..................................................................................................20
Vulnerable Populations.......................................................................................20
Historical Precedent...........................................................................................22
Role of Religion in Social Policy.........................................................................23
Chapter 2: Literature Review......................................................................................26
Historical Background............................................................................................26
Abolition.............................................................................................................26
Moral Reconstruction & Prohibition...................................................................28
The Social Gospel Movement..............................................................................34
Civil Rights.........................................................................................................35
The Vietnam War................................................................................................39
The Religious Right.............................................................................................40
Contemporary Studies of Faith-based Lobbying......................................................41
The National Legislative Arena...........................................................................42
The national landscape....................................................................................46
Legislative change strategies and tactics..........................................................52
Religiously-related strategies...........................................................................59
Success and perceived success.........................................................................62
Representation.................................................................................................65
The Local Legislative Arena................................................................................70
The State Legislative Arena.................................................................................75
Limitations..........................................................................................................82
Theoretical Considerations.................................................................................83
Chapter 3: Research Methodology..............................................................................91
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Purpose...................................................................................................................91
Research Paradigm and Theoretical Frame..............................................................91
Epistemology.......................................................................................................91
Theoretical Perspective.......................................................................................94
Research Methodology & Methods......................................................................96
Explication of Process and Methods........................................................................99
Sampling Procedures..........................................................................................99
Data Collection.................................................................................................102
Semi-structured interviews............................................................................102
Organizational documents.............................................................................105
Participant observation..................................................................................106
Data Analysis Procedures.................................................................................107
Coding..........................................................................................................107
Graphic representation...................................................................................109
Memoing.......................................................................................................112
Data Management Procedures..........................................................................113
Study Limitations..................................................................................................114
Chapter 4: Study Findings.........................................................................................117
Sample Selection and Description.........................................................................118
Individual Stakeholders.....................................................................................118
Religious Advocacy Organizations....................................................................121
Group A........................................................................................................122
Group B........................................................................................................124
Group C........................................................................................................128
Group D........................................................................................................130
Group E.........................................................................................................132
Group F.........................................................................................................134
Group G........................................................................................................138
Group H........................................................................................................140
Group I..........................................................................................................141
Overview of Groups..........................................................................................143
Legislative Context...............................................................................................145
Part-time Citizen Legislature............................................................................146
Role of Special Interests....................................................................................148
Receptivity of Legislators..................................................................................149
Religion in the Legislature................................................................................150
Activities of Religious Advocacy Organizations...................................................152
Relational Lobbying..........................................................................................153
Visits.............................................................................................................157
Special events................................................................................................159
Provide information.......................................................................................160
Testimony.....................................................................................................161
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Contribute to legislation................................................................................163
Coalitions......................................................................................................164
Presence........................................................................................................165
Education and Engagement...............................................................................166
Speaking engagements..................................................................................171
Provide information.......................................................................................171
Special events................................................................................................172
Media............................................................................................................173
Facilitate direct lobbying...............................................................................174
Meaning & Advocacy in Religious Lobbying Organizations.................................176
Mandate............................................................................................................177
Decision-Making...............................................................................................183
Determination of policy areas........................................................................184
Policy areas avoided......................................................................................186
Agenda setting...............................................................................................187
Prophetic & pragmatic...................................................................................188
Strategic use of religion.................................................................................191
Strategic use of tactics...................................................................................194
Strategic use of relationships.........................................................................195
Representing.....................................................................................................197
God...............................................................................................................197
Organization members...................................................................................198
Vulnerable populations..................................................................................199
Alternative & minority perspectives..............................................................201
Defining Success...............................................................................................202
Presence & activity........................................................................................203
Legislative success........................................................................................205
Relationships.................................................................................................209
Organizational growth...................................................................................213
Education & engagement...............................................................................214
Religious and Political Expression....................................................................215
Influence...............................................................................................................218
Chapter 5: Discussion and Implications.....................................................................223
Lessons Learned...................................................................................................224
Implications..........................................................................................................242
Research...........................................................................................................243
Social Work.......................................................................................................244
Conclusion............................................................................................................248
References................................................................................................................249
Appendix A: Interview Guides..................................................................................267
Appendix B: Recruitment Plan..................................................................................272
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Appendix C: Research Subject Information and Consent Forms................................273
Appendix D: Organizational Document Form...........................................................279
viii

List of Tables & Figures

Table 2.1: Hofrenning’s Decision-Making Model.......................................................46
Table 2.2: Major Religious Lobbying Groups.............................................................50
Table 4.1: Sample Characteristics.............................................................................121
Table 4.2: Group A Policy Areas & Exemplars.........................................................123
Table 4.3: Group B Policy Areas & Exemplars.........................................................126
Table 4.4: Group C Policy Areas & Exemplars.........................................................129
Table 4.5: Group D Policy Areas & Exemplars.........................................................131
Table 4.6: Group E Policy Area & Exemplars...........................................................133
Table 4.7: Group F Policy Areas & Exemplars..........................................................136
Table 4.8: Group G Policy Areas & Exemplars.........................................................139
Table 4.9: Group H Policy Areas & Exemplars.........................................................141
Table 4:10: Overview of Groups...............................................................................144
Table 4.11: Overview of Relational Lobbying...........................................................166
Table 4.12: Education and Awareness.......................................................................176
Table 4.13: Religious Concepts.................................................................................182
Table 4.14: Policy Areas...........................................................................................184

Figure 3.1: Ontological & Epistemological Assumptions............................................93
Figure 3.2: Inquiry package.........................................................................................98
Figure 4.1: Group & Coalition Network....................................................................145
Figure 4.2: Religious and Political Expression of Faith-Based Advocacy Organizations
in the Commonwealth of Virginia.....................................................................217