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UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE: A DIALOGUE WITH THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT

By Peter Wong[1]

1. INTRODUCTION

A "hot button" issue facing this country is "universal health insurance." Many on the Christian Right oppose providing health insurance for the nearly 47 million Americans, now without health insurance. The objections include: (1) I don't want to increase my taxes; (2) it is too costly to insure everyone; (2) it is "socialized medicine;" (4) the quality of medical care will be sacrificed, (5) the uninsured are not hard working and, therefore, deserve their uninsured status, etc. The Example Dialogue below supports providing health insurance for all citizens, and addresses the above objections, as well as others.

Because of the "emotional and political baggage" associated with the term universal health care, we have "framed" the issue here as universal health insurance. (See Kao-Ping Chua, Jack Rutledge Fellow 2005-2006, "Framing Universal Health Care," American Medical Student Association, February 10, 2006, at http://www.amsa.org/uhc/FramingUniversalHealthCare.pdf.) The term universal health insurance is meant to encompass single-payer systems used in Canada, U.K., and Europe, and hybrid private-insurance government-based systems like those enacted in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine, and now being considered in California and Wisconsin, among other states. In our example dialogue below, we are guided by some of the "framing" concepts suggested in the above cited Chua article.

The Example Dialogue is excerpted from the author's syllabus entitled: Let's Dialogue With The Christian Right-A syllabus of strategies, moral values, and Biblical citations (hereafter referred to as "Syllabus"). The Syllabus explains the underlying framework, rationale, and strategy in dialoguing with a member of the Christian Right on "hot button" topics such as abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem cell research, global warming, and immigration.[2] The Syllabus is intended to stimulate discussion and additional research on how to dialogue with the Christian Right, and is suitable for use in workshops and small group discussions. The Syllabus will be available for free downloads from www.micahscall.org in 2008. The anticipated table of contents is in the Appendix.

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2. LANGUAGE OF MORAL VALUES

A rational discussion with our brothers and sisters on the Christian Right on "hot button" topics can be emotionally explosive and damaging to family relationships and friendships, if not approached with the recognition of and sensitivity to the other side's deep religious convictions. This is why we often studiously avoid such discussions with friends and family.

We take the approach here that any such discussion on "hot button" topics must be based on a common set of moral values. Because as Christians we are disciples of Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord, as our Lord, Jesus' teachings must be our supreme moral guide. Jesus' teachings are the "lens" by which we scrutinize our actions and decisions. Accordingly, Jesus' teachings are the backbone of the Example Dialogue below. A more detailed discussion of Jesus' teachings as our supreme moral guide (along with a catalogue of Jesus' teachings) is provided in the Syllabus.

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3. RULES FOR NONCONFRONTATIONAL DIALOGUE

Below is a set of nonconfrontational dialogue rules. They are similar to those rules espoused in marriage counseling sessions to deescalate potentially confrontational dialogue between spouses. Here, we have modified the rules to deescalate a potentially confrontational dialogue with a member of the Christian Right on "hot button" topics. More discussion of these rules is in the Syllabus.

• Rule 1: It Is Not about Winning. Set your expectations at the beginning of the dialogue that it is not about winning.

• Rule 2: Engage in Active Listening. Use an expression like "I understand that you believe _________" to communicate to the other side that you have been attentive to and understand what they are saying about their beliefs and values.

• Rule 3: Use "I" Messages. Respond by using an expression like "I feel (or believe) that ____________," which is a nonaccusatory and nonjudgmental way to express your beliefs and values.

• Rule 4: Listen for Underlying Primal Concerns. Try to understand the other side's primal concerns that perhaps lie beneath the camouflage of rhetoric (e.g., simply citing a Biblical passage as authority, when fear of foreigners is an underlying primal concern). If we can understand the other side's primal concern, we may be able to deal with it and make more progress in the dialogue.

• Rule 5: Establish Common Moral Values. Try to establish a common set of moral values based on Jesus' teachings (e.g., Golden Rule, justice, righteousness, compassion, sharing abundance, mercy, reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance, accepting the outsider, peacemaking, and stewardship) and then pursue the discussion from this common set of moral values.

• Rule 6: Pose Thoughtful Questions. Pose thoughtful questions that flow naturally from the common set of moral values, which may cause the other side to reflect and rethink his/her position. We emphasize thoughtful questions, as opposed to assertions, because they tend to elicit a less defensive response. Thoughtful questions are the agency of conversation and dialogue.

• Rule 7: Illuminate a Moral Dilemma. The key is to attempt to illuminate a moral dilemma, based on posing a countervailing set of moral values based on Jesus' teachings, exposing unconsidered facts, exploring unappreciated consequences, probing inconsistencies, and/or dealing with primal concerns.

• Rule 8: Seek Agreement on Sub-Issues: Although we may succeed in illuminating a moral dilemma, very likely that moral dilemma will not be resolved during this one encounter. Rather than pushing for resolution of the moral dilemma, it may be more appropriate to shift gears and try to come to some understanding and agreement on a set of sub-issues.

The above rules can make possible a nonconfrontational framework for dialogue that will leave everyone whole and perhaps cause a person on an opposing side to rethink his/her position, either during the dialogue or after reflection. These rules set the context for the Example Dialogue below.

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4. DIALOGUE ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE

Caveats: The Example Dialogue below is an illustration, not a prescription. The dialogue is in skeletal form and missing after each thoughtful question is the implied admonition to listen to the other side's response, and if the response is not what you expect, to invite further explanation and discussion. To be thoroughly prepared, you should be ready to discuss in greater depth Jesus' teachings and facts presented in the Example Dialogue. Citations to supporting Biblical text and facts are provided. Also, there are more arguments presented here than can be discussed in a single conversation, and you may not feel that all the arguments are equally compelling. Use only the ones that you feel most confident in discussing and that you believe are the most compelling. In addition, consider reordering the Example Dialogue arguments in a manner that makes more sense to you. Of course be prepared to deviate from your plan depending on the other side's response.

Depending on the circumstances, you might consider deviating from the emphasis on thoughtful questions and using a different mix of assertions, explanations, and questions. Furthermore, your dialogue should be supplemented, where appropriate, with your own personal examples, anecdotes, and arguments not covered below. In sum, you will need to customize the Example Dialogue to your personal style and spontaneously adapt your dialogue to the situation.

EXAMPLE DIALOGUE

Active Listening

1. I understand you oppose universal health insurance coverage for all citizens. Is this correct?

2. Is this a subject you feel comfortable in talking about-sharing points of view?

65% Support Universal Health Insurance, Even If It Means Higher Taxes

3. Are you aware that a 2005 PEW Research Center poll found that 65% of Americans favor national health insurance, even if it means higher taxes? (Laura Ungar, Courier News, "Support swells for universal health care: Ky. Panel endorses plan for U.S. system," California Nurses Journal, January 2006, at:

http://www.calnurse.org/media-center/in-thenews/2006/
january/page.jsp?itemID= 27531870.

4. Also, a 2003 Indiana University poll found that 49% of doctors surveyed support government legislation to establish national health insurance-40% were opposed with the remaining 11% undecided. (Ibid.) Does it surprise you that so many doctors support universal health insurance?

5. Moreover, 55% of California's small business owners are willing to pay into a state fund to help their employees get affordable health coverage. (Ilana Debare, "New business coalition takes on health care," San Francisco Chronicle, August 24, 2007, p. C1.)

6. Let's examine why the overwhelming majority of Americans support universal health insurance, even if it means higher taxes, and why doctors and small business owners are also supportive.

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47 Million Americans Are Uninsured

7. Are you aware that 47 million Americans (15.8% of Americans) are without health insurance. (Tom Chorneau and Christopher Heredia, "No Safety Net," San Francisco Chronicle, August 29, 2007, p. A.1)

8. If you got ill, without insurance you would be forced to go to the emergency room, find a free clinic, and/or go deeply into debt. (Ibid.)

9. Do you know anyone who does not have health insurance, or lost their insurance, or had difficulty in obtaining insurance? How would you feel if you were in their situation?

10. Would you agree that not having health insurance is not a position you want for yourself or your loved ones?

11. Would you agree that access to health care is one of the fundamental necessities of life?

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80% Of The Uninsured Come From Working Families

12. Are you aware that 80% of the uninsured are part of working families? ("Health Insurance Coverage, " National Coalition On Health Care, at http://www.nchc.org/facts/coverage.shtml, hereafter referred to as "NCHC".)

13. Moreover, 8.5% of people who have incomes over $75,000 per year lack health insurance. ("The Number Of Uninsured Americans Is At An All-time High," Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, August 29, 2006, at http://www.cbpp.org/8-30-05health.htm, hereafter referred to as "CBPP.")

14. If they are working or part of working families why do they not have health insurance?

15. First, one-third of the companies in the U.S. do not offer health insurance coverage. (NCHC)

16. Second, many workers simply cannot afford the increasing insurance premiums. Employee spending on health insurance increased 143% between 2000 and 2006. (NCHC)

17. Would you agree that many uninsured are not "slackers"-they are often uninsured through circumstances beyond their control?

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Uninsured Ranks Are Growing

18. The number of uninsured increased 5.4 million between 2001 and 2005. (CBPP)

19. This growth of 5.4 million uninsured is primarily due to the erosion of employer-based insurance coverage. (CBPP)

20. Specifically, people with employment-based insurance dropped from 70% in 1997 to 59.5% in 2005. (NCHC)

21. Employers are increasingly relying on part-time and contract workers, who are not eligible for health insurance coverage. (NCHC)

22. Would you agree that employment is no guarantee of having health insurance?

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Easy To Fall Into Uninsured Ranks

23. Are you aware that 82 million people-about one-third of the population below the age of 65-spent a portion of 2002 and 2003 without health insurance coverage? (NCHC)

24. Losing a job, or quitting voluntarily, can mean losing affordable insurance coverage. (NCHC)

25. Also, early retirement, a change from full-time to part time work, self-employment, or divorce can leave one without insurance coverage. (NCHC)

26. Having stable health insurance coverage is increasingly difficult in a rapidly changing global economy and job market, where "outsourcing" is becoming an every day occurrence.

27. Moreover, without heath insurance, a serious illness can wipe out family finances and destroy a family.

28. Would you agree that no one should be without health insurance when they need it?

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50 to 64 Year Olds Are Especially Vulnerable Because of Pre-Existing Conditions

29. More than 7 million Americans between 50 to 64 years of age did not have health insurance in 2005. (Victoria Colliver, "Insurance Is At A Premium," San Francisco Chronicle, November 21, 2007, p. C1.)

30. People who are 50 to 64 often have pre-existing conditions that make it difficult to obtain insurance, if they are not covered by an employment group plan. (Ibid.)

31. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that a man who is a lean 6 foot-2 and 190 pounds; has no known medical conditions; and whose blood pressure and cholesterol are low, is having trouble getting health insurance, because he used to smoke, even though he gave up smoking 16 years ago. (Ibid.) Do you know a friend or loved one who fits this profile?

32. The San Francisco Chronicle also reported that a woman who is in perfect health, except for taking blood pressure and cholesterol medications, was rejected by three insurers. (Ibid.) Do you know a friend or loved one who fits this profile?

33. Recently a California Appellate Court which limited abrupt health insurance policy cancellations admonished: "Health insurers can't wait until a policy holder is sick or injured to investigate the person's medical history and then abruptly cancel the policy on the grounds that important information [pre-existing condition] was left out of the original applications." Lawyers for the policyholders allege this practice among health insurers is widespread. (Bob Egelko, "Court limits health insurance policy cancellations," San Francisco Chronicle, December 26, 2007, p. B1.)

34. Would you agree that if you (or a loved one) were in the 50 to 64-age bracket, you (or the loved one) could benefit from universal health insurance?

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50 to 64 Year Olds Are Especially Vulnerable Because Insurance Is Unaffordable

35. Are you aware that after a year long investigation, Consumer Reports concludes that 89 percent of people under 65 who look for individual insurance do not buy it because it is too costly. (Jane Glenn Hass, The Orange County Register, "Do homework before leaving your group health insurance, " Palo Alto Daily News, January 7, 2008, p. 20.)

36. Consumer Reports explained that the nature of health insurance is that the only people profitably to insure are those who are healthy. (Ibid.)

37. Would you agree that there is a paradox here-the people who don't need insurance can easily get it, but the people who need insurance find it difficult to get?

38. Consumer Reports concludes that finding private insurance can be a "daunting" challenge for any adult who hopes to retire early, loses a job, is self-employed, or has an adult child leaving a group plan. (Ibid.)

39. Can you envision yourself (or a loved one) in one of these difficult to insure categories and, thereby, become vulnerable to not finding affordable insurance?

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Universal Health Insurance Is A "Safety Net" For Everyone

40. Would you agree, that with the uncertainties of the employment market (e.g., layoffs, forced early retirement, company bankruptcies, "outsourcing"), anyone can suddenly find themselves without health insurance?

41. Within the context of employment uncertainties, would you agree that universal health insurance can benefit everyone?

42. Medicare provides a health insurance safety net for those over 65-why shouldn't there be a universal health insurance safety net for the rest of us?

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States Already Enacting Universal Health Insurance

43. Are you aware that three states, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine, have already enacted universal health insurance plans, and a dozen states are looking seriously at enacting some sort of plan, including California and Wisconsin. ("Wisconsin, Other States Consider Universal Health Care," Channel3000.com, February 19, 2007, at http://www.channel3000.com/health/11055754/detail.html.)

44. Do you think the states should wait for the Federal Government to take the lead and act?

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Other Nations Can Afford Universal Health Insurance-Why Can't We?

45. Are you aware that the U.S. is the only developed nation in the world, except for South Africa, that does not provide health care for all its citizens. ("The U.S. Heath Care System: Best in the World, or Just the Most Expensive," University of Maine, Summer 2001, at http://dll.umaine.edu/ble/U.S.%20HCweb.pdf, hereafter referred to as "U. Maine".)

46. Would you agree that because the U.S. is the most wealthy nation in the world, if all the other developed countries in the world can afford to provide health care for all its citizens, we certainly should be able to find a way to afford universal health insurance?

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U.S. Has The Highest Health Care Costs In The World-Why Can't We Insure All Citizens?

47. According to a 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) report of 191 countries, the U.S. has by far the most expensive health care system in the world. (U. Maine)

48. First, U.S. health care costs per patient ($4,178 per capita) are more than twice the median of all 191 countries surveyed ($1,783 per capita), and far more than its closest competitor Switzerland ($2,794 per capita). (U. Maine)

49. Second, U.S. health care costs as a percent of gross domestic product (13.6% of GDP) are far greater than its closest competitors Germany (10.6% of GDP) and Switzerland (10.4% of GDP). (U. Maine)

50. The U.S. spends the most money by far on health care-yet 47 million citizens are not covered. Would you consider this situation intolerable?

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Even Though U.S. Spends The Most Money On Health Care--U.S. Health Care Quality Ranks Poorly Worldwide

51. The most commonly used measures of a population's "well being" are infant mortality and life expectancy. The 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) report ranks the U.S at 26^th among countries surveyed in infant mortality and 28^th in life expectancy. (U. Maine) Are you surprised?

52. Would you consider this scandalous given how much this country spends on health care?

53. The 2000 WHO report also found that only 40% of the people in the U.S. were satisfied with their health care. This is even more disheartening, because the U.K., which has had persistent dissatisfaction problems with its National Health Service, registered a 60% satisfaction rate. (U. Maine)

54. Does the low level of health care satisfaction in the U.S. surprise you?

55. Would you agree that is unbelievable that we can we spend so much money on health care--while excluding 47 million people from health coverage--yet rank so low in infant mortality, life expectancy, and health care satisfaction?

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Quality Health Care Will Not Be Sacrificed

56. I understand you are concerned that the quality of health care in the U.S. will be sacrificed if we offer universal health insurance-is this correct?

57. The aforementioned facts indicate that other developed countries are able to cover all its citizens with quality health care-ranking substantially ahead of the U.S. on the health care quality indicators of infant mortality and life expectancy.

58. Moreover, this quality health care is provided by other countries at significantly less cost than in the U.S.

59. Would you agree that if other countries are able to cover all its citizens with quality health care, then the U.S.--which is spending substantially more money on health care than these other countries--should also be able to do it?

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The Enormous Sums Spent On The Uninsured For Emergency Room Treatment and Avoidable Hospital Stays Do Not Improve Their Long Term Health Outlook

60. The uninsured often go to the emergency room for treatment when their health condition has become urgent. But, emergency room treatment is much more costly than treatment in regular medical practices and outpatient clinics. (NCHC)

61. The uninsured are 30% to 50% more likely than the insured to be hospitalized for an avoidable health condition. But, avoidable hospital stays by the uninsured costs the heath care system an enormous amount of money. (NCHC)

62. In 2001, hospitals provided about $34 billion worth of uncompensated health care for the uninsured. (NCHC)

63. Also, in 2001 another $37 billion was paid by public sector programs and private agencies/free-clinics for health care for the uninsured. (NCHC)

64. The total of these uncompensated health care costs for the uninsured was about $71 billion in 2001-and are very likely much higher today.

65. We pay for uninsured health care-such as it is--through higher insurance premiums, taxes, and charitable contributions.

66. Although large sums are spent on the uninsured, the uninsured are nevertheless without basic wellness and preventive health care-thus, 47 million Americans face a bleak future in maintaining their health.

67. Could the $71 Billion-plus-which society now spends on uninsured health care--be better spent on health insurance to keep them healthy and productive citizens in the long term?

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Getting Everyone Insured Saves Lives

68. Are you aware that the lack of insurance compromises the health of the uninsured, because they receive less preventive care, are diagnosed at more advanced disease stages, and once diagnosed tend to receive less therapeutic care and, as a consequence of all these factors, they have higher mortality rates than insured individuals? (NCHC)

69. Studies estimate that the number of "excess" deaths among uninsured adults age 25-64 (as compared to insured adults age 25-64) is about 18,000 a year. (NCHC)

70. This mortality figure is more than the number of deaths from diabetes (17,500 a year) for the same age group. (NCHC)

71. Would you agree that health insurance-allowing access to preventive care and early disease diagnoses-will improve the health of the uninsured?

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It's The Christian Thing To Do

72. I believe that providing health insurance for all citizens is the Christian thing to do. Let me explain.

73. Because Jesus is our Lord, when confronting a complex moral issue, we should ask ourselves: What would Jesus do based on his teachings? Would you agree?

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Jesus Teaches The Golden Rule

74. Do you recall Jesus' teachings on the Golden Rule: We should treat others as we would want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12, adapted modern language.)

75. Jesus taught that the Golden Rule was the essence of all the moral codes and teachings in the Old Testament.

76. If you feel that access to health care is a fundamental necessity for yourself, then it should also be a fundamental necessity for others-would you agree?

77. Applying the Golden Rule: If we would not want to be without health insurance when sick, then treating others as we would want to be treated, implies that we should support health care for others. Would you agree?

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Jesus Teaches The Parable Of The Good Samaritan

78. Are you familiar with Jesus' parable about the Good Samaritan?

79. Recall in the parable, a Priest, Levite, and Samaritan pass by an injured man on the road. Only the Samaritan had the compassion to help the injured man. (Luke 10:29-37.)

80. Jesus holds up the example of the Good Samaritan and commands: "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37, RSV.) There is no equivocation in Jesus' directive to us to do likewise.

81. Do you agree that Jesus expects us to show compassion to others-just like the Good Samaritan?

82. If we allowed 47 million Americans to go without health insurance-would this not be like the Priest and Levite who, lacking compassion, left the injured man to lie uncared for on the road?

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Paul Teaches That Discipleship Without Compassion For Others Is Meaningless

83. The Apostle Paul teaches us that without compassion for others our Christian discipleship and achievements are meaningless.

84. Recall in his first letter to the Corinthians Paul admonishes: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [compassion], I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love [compassion], I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love [compassion], I gain nothing." (1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, RSV.)

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Being A Christian Is About Compassion For Others In Need

85. Recall the 2005 PEW Research Center poll (discussed earlier) found that 65% of Americans favor national health insurance, even if it means higher taxes.

86. Would you agree, that as Christians, both Jesus and Paul make it abundantly clear that we are to be compassionate towards others in need?

87. In the case of health insurance, would you agree--that based on Jesus' and Paul's teachings--we should willing to pay more taxes to see that health insurance is available to all citizens?

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It's Socialized Medicine! (Optional)

88. I understand that you are opposed to universal health insurance, because it is "socialized medicine." Is this correct?

89. By "socialized medicine," are you concerned that the government runs it, not private enterprise?

90. Based on the 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) report, which we discussed earlier, these so called "socialized medicine" systems in Canada, U.K. and Europe out perform our private-enterprise system by a wide margin in terms of cost efficiency, maintaining the "well being" of the population, and health care satisfaction. (Refer to WHO data discussed earlier; see also U. Maine report referenced earlier.)

91. Are you aware that for anyone over 65 years, they are covered by Medicare-a so called "socialized medicine" system?

92. Whether Medicare is "socialized medicine" or not, doesn't' seem to concern those covered by Medicare. Try to reduce Medicare benefits, and the 38 million member AARP will be up in arms!

93. Using the term "socialized medicine" is a clever "sound bite" meant to manipulate negative emotions about government provided services.

94. Would you agree that we should be thinking rationally about the issues-free from manipulation by emotional "sound bites"?

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Need To First Fix The Health Care System Costs? (Optional)

95. I understand that you are worried about "cost containment," given that our current health care system is too expensive and, therefore, we shouldn't bring the uninsured into the system, until we fix the current system costs.

96. Are you aware that we urgently need to fix the health care system costs now to preserve Medicare, otherwise, Medicare will go bankrupt by the year 2019? That is only 11 years away! (Anthony Gregory, "The Bankruptcy of Medicare," The Independent Institute, April 27, 2004,at http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp? id=1294.)

97. Hence, health care system costs need to be fixed now to preserve Medicare for everyone, whether or not we have universal health insurance.

98. Fixing the health care system cost will require a strong mandate from the electorate-given the strong financial interests of the entrenched "stakeholders" (doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, drug companies, medical equipment makers, etc.) to maintain the status quo and, also, given the lack of political will by our legislators/leaders

99. If we can get citizens "up in arms" about affordable health care, then societal pressure can be brought to bear on the entrenched "stakeholders" and our legislators/leaders to fix the system costs now-not waiting until the 11^th hour when Medicare is in crisis.

100.To add to the chorus of those wanting to fix the system, we need to first bring the 47 million uninsured into the health care system before we undertake the complicated task of fixing the system costs, because the 47 million uninsured will then have a stake in fixing the system costs and will add their advocacy to those already in the system to demand that the systems costs be fixed.

101.In addition, we need to fix the health care system costs within the context of getting everyone insured, because if we fix the system costs, and then add an additional 47 million uninsured to the system, we may destabilize the cost structure that we fixed.

102.The bottomline is: Why should the U.S. pay more for health care, while leaving 47 million people out the system, when other developed nations pay less for quality health care and include all their citizens? The U.S. can do it-if the electorate demands that it be done!

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My Position

103.The teaching of the parable of the Good Samaritan is that Jesus expects us, as his disciples, to have compassion for those in need-in our case to help the uninsured, just as the Good Samaritan helped the injured traveler on the road.

104.The uninsured are hard working just like us; they are uninsured often through circumstances beyond their control; and illnesses can wipe out uninsured families and put them deeply into debt.

105.In a rapidly changing global economy and unstable job market, anyone can lose health insurance--aging workers are particularly at risk. Hence, it is in our own self interest to support universal health care--in the event we lose our health insurance.

106.The U.S. is the only developed nation in the world, except for South Africa, that does not provide health care for all its citizens.

107.The U.S. spends the most money by far on health care. For the money spent, why can't the U.S. do the same as the other developed nations and cover all its citizens?

108.Based on Jesus' teachings-I believe that providing health insurance for everyone is the Christian thing to do.

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APPENDIX

LET'S DIALOGUE WITH THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT

A syllabus of strategies, moral values, and Biblical citations.

By
Peter Wong

*************************

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Personal Story

3. Evangelicals Are Not Monolithic in Belief

4. Understanding the Mindset of the Christian Right

5. Language of Moral Values

6. Rules for Nonconfrontational Dialogue

7. Supremacy of Jesus' Teachings as Moral Values

A. Competing Moral Values

B. Jesus' Teachings as Supreme Moral Values

C. Ethic of Reciprocity as Embodied in the Golden Rule and Second Great Commandment

D. Jesus' Other Teachings

E. Jesus' View of Rigidly Obeying Moral Codes

8. Other Generally Accepted Moral Values

9. Exposing Unconsidered Facts

10. Exploring Unappreciated Consequences

11. Probing Unrealized Inconsistencies

12. Dealing with Primal Concerns

13. Illuminating a Moral Dilemma: Weighing and Balancing

14. Shift to Agreement on Sub-Issue

15. Funneling the Dialogue

16. Abortion: An Example Dialogue

17. Same-Sex Marriage: An Example Dialogue

18. Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An Example Dialogue

19. Global Warming: An Example Dialogue

20. Immigration: An Example Dialogue

21. Universal Health Insurance: An Example Dialogue

22. Concluding Remarks

[1] Copyright 2008 by Peter Wong. Permission is granted to MicahsCall^TM--www.micahscall.org-- permitting free downloads of this article. MicahsCall seeks to build a community of people-locally, nationally, and internationally-who believe in peace, social justice, caring for the environment, tolerance, and compassion, and inclusively welcomes all people of faith and goodwill. Peter Wong is a concerned Christian and an attorney who holds a Ph.D. in engineering. Appreciation is expressed to Carolyn Nicholson who made substantial contributions to its contents and thanks to Sarah Johnson for editorial assistance.

[2] Excerpts from the Syllabus on abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem cell research, global warming, and immigration have been previously posted on MicahsCall^TM--www.micahscall.org.