Democrats strike back on faith issue

[AmyStrange]

Democrats strike back on faith issue

Group launches initiative to stress religious roots of policies as polls show party faces a 'church gap.'

By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

FROM: http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0609/p01s01-uspo.html
WASHINGTON – For much of the 20th century, the language of faith infused politics on the left on issues ranging from civil rights to a living wage for farm workers.
In 1968, for example, labor leader Cesar Chavez ended a three-week fast with prayer and breaking of bread. His speech to 8,000 supporters, read by a minister, ended with the rallying call: "God help us to be men!"

But since the rise of the Christian right in the 1970s, the mantle of faith-toned politics has been ceded largely to Republicans.

Now a group of Democrats is eager to revive the historic role that religion has played in their party. It is launching a multiyear project Wednesday to amplify the religious roots of "progressive" policies, ranging from the economy and environment to social issues.

A key reason: Religion is now the biggest predictor of vote, after party identification.

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[Wwagsthedog]

1. Sorry, but I think I'm going to throw up. nt

[vickie]

2. I'm so very glad to see this.

For far too long - the vicious right has tried to equate being a democrat with 'Godlessnes' and it's time for this to stop. Many, many democrats are God loving, faithful people and we need to make certain other Americans know this.

[UrbScotty]

3. Right on!

I'm proud to be a Christian, and I'm proud to be a Democrat.

[jsw_81]

5. What's wrong with godlessness?

God is a myth.

[jsw_81]

4. As an atheist, I am alarmed by this news

Millions of Americans, myself included, are atheists or agnostics, and we will abandon the party in two seconds if it starts lurching to the right.

[QC]

6. Who said anything about "lurching to the right"?

Christian does not equal Right. Don't fall for the Religious Right's propaganda by equating the two.

[Comrade_Goldstein]

7. I don't see being religious as moving to the right

That's the problem with many liberal atheists and religious conservatives, they frame the view that it is impossible to be on the left and be religious at the same time. I consider myself to be fairly religious and I'm extremely liberal (my girlfriend's nickname for me is 'pinko').

[Scoopie]

8. Why?

Jesus hung out with the poor, the downtrodden, with people of all faiths, people of all genders. He gave comfort, he sacrified. He loved the sinner. He thought the wealthy should help the poor. He thought children should be loved.
Sounds like a Democrat to me.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Wes Clark was TRYING to take that platform

AWAY from the repukes when he was running in the primary. It was part of his stump speech. He was Jewish, raised Baptist and converted to Catholicism when he married Gert. He made a point about the repukes not being the ONLY political party who has religion. Love my Wes! :loveya: