Third Way, a think tank and advocacy organization with strong ties to centrist Democrats in Congress, is rolling out a new initiative called "Come Let Us Reason Together." The goal is to steer a middle course on some of the tough, divisive issues associated with the culture wars. The group has released a position paper that it will send to Congress and the incoming Obama administration.

Centrist evangelical leaders who signed on to the initiative include Rev. Joel Hunter, a senior pastor at a megachurch in Orlando, Fla., who delivered the closing benediction at the Democratic National Convention this year; Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Ronald Sider, president of Evangelicals for Social Action; and David Gushee, president of Evangelicals for Human Rights.

The position paper advocates middle ground on abortion, gay rights, and immigration reform, and it takes a strong stance renouncing torture. On abortion, for instance, it focuses on preventing unwanted pregnancies through grants for sex education, and advocates expanding tax-credit assistance to promote adoption; on gay rights, instead of addressing same-sex marriage, it supports ending workplace discrimination against gays and lesbians, while providing an exemption for faith-based employers.

Leading the blueprint effort for Third Way is Rachel Laser, the group's culture program director. Laser could have a receptive ear in the Obama administration, as she has been heavily involved in pushing compromises between abortion-rights groups and pro-life Democrats. And President-elect Obama has indicated a willingness to work with evangelical leaders, as was evident when Obama tapped controversial, conservative pastor Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation. You can read the position paper at the link below.

Come Let Us Reason Together Policies.pdf
                                                                                                       
Come Let Us Reason Together Letter.pdf
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