Democrats open faith-filled church services convention
25 August 2008 by Stardust
I never thought I would see the day with the Democrats transforming the Democratic National Convention into an interfaith church service. I am greatly disappointed.
DENVER - At the first official event Sunday of the Democratic National Convention, a choir belted out a gospel song and was followed by a rabbi reciting a Torah reading about forgiveness and the future.
Helen Prejean, the Catholic nun who wrote “Dead Man Walking,” assailed the death penalty and the use of torture.
Young Muslim women in headscarves sat near older African-American women in their finest Sunday hats.
Four years ago, such a scene would have been unthinkable at a Democratic National Convention. In 2004, there was one interfaith lunch at the Democratic gala in Boston.
But that same year, “values voters” helped re-elect President Bush, giving Democrats of faith the opening they needed to make party leaders listen to them.
The result was on display at Sunday’s interfaith service, staged in a theater inside the Colorado Convention Center, and will be evident throughout the convention agenda and on the sidelines.
There will be four “faith caucus” meetings, blessings to open and close each night, and panels and parties run by Democratic-leaning religious advocacy groups that didn’t even exist in 2004 — not to mention protests from religious groups and leaders opposed to the Democratic platform.
And of course no atheist, agnostic or secular humanist on the list of speakers. If the intention was to show diversity amongst the Democratic party and unity of people from all walks of life, then that should include everyone. Unfortunately, to the believers, Democrats or otherwise, a coalition that supports nontheistic views is not welcome. But those who value the separation of church and state still made their voices heard:
In June, the Madison,Wis.-based Freedom from Religion Foundation, a 12,000-member watchdog group for the separation of church and state, erected a billboard near the Colorado Convention Center that proclaimed “Imagine No Religion.” In early August the sign was changed to “Keep Religion Out of Politics.”
During the convention, the foundation will fund mobile billboards asking for church-state separation and broadcasting its view that religion is divisive.
“Faith does not unite us,” Freedom co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said. “And this is a time when we should be in unity behind our secular government.”
Most liberals here still support Obama and the Democratic party despite the religious mumbo jumbo he believes in and that is interjected into politics from both sides now to pander to the evangelicals, but we must continue to make our voices heard that separation of church and state must be upheld and to keep our secular government from slipping towards a theocracy.
25 August 2008, on 1:34 pm
I’ve been a Democrat for most of my voting life. I’ve never been particularly enamored with the party and I’ve voted all over the place, but I’ve always felt that the party supported working class people and those less fortunate, as well as nominally recognizing godless infidels such as myself. So I’ve kept the D checked on my voter registration. That will be changing this election. I will still vote a Democratic ticket (where else am I going to go?), but I am going to be unchecking the D and going independent as of this election. The Jim Wallises of the world have pushed me out and it doesn’t look like they want me back.
I’ve never been particularly enamored with the United States’ rightward bent. Aside from Dennis Kucinich, I am to the left of all the candidates that were offered up this year for nomination. I didn’t support Kucinich, because of his ties to weirdos like John Hagelin, but just once I’d like to see a real left liberal get the nomination. The Democratic Party no longer cares about the same things I do and Obama, for all his “progressive” talk, isn’t particularly liberal on positions like health care and corporate regulation. Now that atheists are no longer welcome, I see no reason to stay.
25 August 2008, on 1:44 pm
My first reaction to this was to be angry but to me it is more important to get the GOP out of the White House. I don’t see Obama to be a great excluder of those of us who don’t believe (by the time he gets elected, I mean), and the Democrats are probably realizing that they have to pander to the church-goers a little to have a better shot in November. I can’t believe this race is as close as it is.
I think my hatred of Bush/McCain is overriding my “angry atheist” right now :).
25 August 2008, on 1:54 pm
the Democrats are probably realizing that they have to pander to the church-goers a little to have a better shot in November.
It is disgusting when people feel they must put aside their own principles to get elected and use dishonest tactics just like all politicians do. The change talk then is all lies, no change. It’s quite disappointing. They are not pandering “a little”…they are going all out evangelical style. The race wouldn’t probably have gotten to be this close if the Obama campaign would have been offering real change instead of slipping back into politics as usual. Voters are showing their disappointment and disillusionment.
Voters have misgivings about Obama, McCain: polls
25 August 2008, on 2:28 pm
I have to agree with both Robin and Stardust here; as much as all the pandering nauseates me, realism sets in. I am aware that the vast majority of people believe in the faith myth, and if we’re going to get rid of the Bush-huggers this may be the only way to do it. If I were a religious person I’d be even more hosed, though. Note to the religious lurkers: the two parties are using you big time.
I don’t think I can waste my vote by turning it into a protest vote. My GF is always saying that Nader got Bush elected in 2000. Be wary of allowing the same thing to happen again.
25 August 2008, on 4:11 pm
A continuation of Dubya is not an option.
25 August 2008, on 5:51 pm
Barack Obama’s job- The DNC’s job- is to beat John McCain and take back the White House. To do that, they need to keep the religious left sweet and to bring in some religious moderates to the tent. In so doing, they aren’t going to give a speaking voice to a bunch of atheists who will, inevitably(I would), insult even the religious left, which would have to be considered a majority of the party as it stands today. That, in and of itself, gives C-c-Cain the presidency.
What you’ve got to keep in mind, Todd, is that the religion of Obama, of Wallis, of C. Welton Gaddy is a personal and not universal one. Their goal seems to be in using christian teachings to motivate volunteerism, good works, and community action amongst the faithful- who actually have to be motivated to do good, it would seem, funny that- and not to have it replace the Constitution. They don’t conflate biblical gobbledygook with, say, science. This is in direct opposition to the so-called “social conservatives” on the right, who most definitely are out to do both.
Yes, it’s still religion. Yes, it’s still a fairy tale for Peter Pan syndromists. Yes, the proper response to it is John Cleese’s “Stop that, it’s silly!” Yes, it sucks that a majority of Americans still believe it in one form or another. Yes, it sucks that, for that very reason, we don’t get a seat at the table right now. It just seems that it would behoove us- on the left, to differentiate between the Hagee/Robertson strain- which is a pox on our house- and the Obama/Wallis strain- which is more like hay fever. Call it triage. One day, we should all be free of it but, for now, our time is better spent focused on the actual threat- to us, to our form of government, to the world, to themselves, and to their own children than on the merely annoying in our own camp.
Just saying.
25 August 2008, on 6:43 pm
I wish I could agree with you, Raindogzilla, but Wallis has had his hand in the “safe, legal, and rare” abortion wording that’s making its way into the platform. Read Pastor Dan, over at Street Prophets for the ultimate Wallis take down by a fellow Christian. http://www.streetprophets.com/story/2008/8/22/95121/9018 I’ve had my issues with Pastor Dan in the past, but I’d much rather be in his party than Wallis’.
Ultimately, my beef with the Democratic Party is much larger than this petty convention issue, but the religious pandering was the last straw. As Mencken put it so aptly, “Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.”
25 August 2008, on 8:40 pm
Actually, Obama’s numbers were better before the heavy religious pandering. I am afraid that the evangelical crap is chasing many moderates away and those who were hopeful about promises of “change” (which was never really defined). Seems the only thing that will change will be a new president and a few program changes…maybe. The appointing of Supreme Court judges though, is the biggest reason why we need a Democratic president. But as for any real changes other than that, don’t count on it.
Obama’s VP pick: a triumph of no-change politics
25 August 2008, on 9:34 pm
“but we must continue to make our voices heard that separation of church and state must be upheld and to keep our secular government from slipping towards a theocracy.”
Too late.
25 August 2008, on 10:01 pm
Somehow, after reading this Post (and all the wonderful comments), and having watched the opening of the Dem Convention; with the typical pandering BS…
to wit: the newly, overtly religious ass-kissing Howard Dean [I, actually, USED to respect him!]…the flimsy [guilty white man?] attempt at ‘nodding’ to the American Indians as lame looking, flag toting, kiss-ass believers…the TOTALLY delusional and moronic prayer..the stupid, “under Gawd”, hand over heart pledge to a fucking FLAG!…and all the other typically over the top, childish, inane “Hooplas”…made me want to skip the rest of the Convention. [And, almost, to barf!]
[Actually, I quickly decided to take a non-barfing nap!]
I know one thing; I have absolutely no interest in the Rethuglican’s pandering exercise…what!…NEXT week?
Alas…at 68…after watching displays like that…I’m beginning, more and more frequently, to seriously reflect on Nietzsche’s, nihilistic conclusion…you know…
“Existence is Absurd”?
Yeah…”Death” is beginning to look more and more…ummm…”friendly?”…
something, perhaps, like this?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoBTsMJ4jNk
Anyone know the recipe for “Salmon Mousse”? Or maybe…Nazi suicide capsules?
Yeah…I’ll skip (for now) linking the “Christmas in Heaven” scene!
[You'll find that one anyway, I'm pretty sure!]
Good luck, by the way, to all you “young’ns” and your ‘fortunate’ offspring…?
See what too much Politics watching can do to a person?
25 August 2008, on 10:29 pm
the flimsy [guilty white man?] attempt at ‘nodding’ to the American Indians as lame looking, flag toting, kiss-ass believers…the TOTALLY delusional and moronic prayer..the stupid, “under Gawd”, hand over heart pledge to a fucking FLAG!…and all the other typically over the top, childish, inane “Hooplas”…made me want to skip the rest of the Convention. [And, almost, to barf!]
[Actually, I quickly decided to take a non-barfing nap!]
I won’t be watching this big celebrity media event. All these conventions are meant to be are big pep rallies to get the sheeple riled up. I hated pep rallies in school and hate them even more when I see adults participating in them.
25 August 2008, on 11:47 pm
How they can get me to vote for them
I have simple needs and to obtain my vote the Democratic and Republican candidates can easily meet them.
I will vote for Barack Obama if he promises to:
Dismantle all of the faith based creations of his predecessors.
Eliminate “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.
Appoint a substantial number of gays and minorities to leadership posts in our military services and truly integrate our military.
Put the criminals from prior administrations in jail, now!
Restore the personal freedoms of Americans.
I will vote for John McCain if:
There is no other candidate on the ballot.
Someone puts a gun to my head and forces me to vote.
Note to Orzo:
I for one hope that the OTHER party of god, the Democrats, lose this election also. If they lose often enough perhaps they will kick the conservatives out of the party and return to their liberal roots. At the moment, there is at best perhaps only minor differences between the Republican criminals and the Democrat crooks.
26 August 2008, on 7:42 am
Sometimes I think the only reason they still allow elections is for the laughs.
The reslugs must be amused that it takes so little to make the dems jump through hoops.
They’ve framed every topic, every argument and they’ve helped successfully turn the dem convention into a revival tent.
The dems appear to be running on the “We’re reslug lite” platform while the reslugs are running on the “We own diebold so we don’t really give a damn” platform.
I’m with those who would need ballistic motivation to vote for a reslug. Not that the dems are that much better. I realize that cleaning up the government after the boosh minions turned it into their own private mafia is going to be nearly impossible so I don’t expect to see any change no matter who gets elected.
mcstain won’t change a thing. His handlers will just make it worse [I don't expect him to actually do anything. Much like boosh he's a brainless puppet on a stick.]
If Obama succeeds I expect his job will be made a living hell by all the booshy cockroaches covering their own worthless asses. He’ll be stopped dead by the do-nothing congress, blamed for all the dumbya fuck ups by the reslug owned press and spend his four years doing photo-ops with sports teams and thanksgiving turkeys.
The US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackwater and Dubai holdings. Do you really think they’re going to let a bunch of average people pick the next CEO?
26 August 2008, on 7:57 am
Don’t forget that it’s not just the president. He may set the tone, but if you vote straight ticket your presidential choice will drag in a gaggle of other party beings who are the ones who really do things in your state, good or bad. Think about this before you pull, punch, chad, or black mark in November. If you must “send a message”, then do it at the top and carefully consider the other offices individually. Oh, and we need uniform election modes, too.
26 August 2008, on 9:30 am
I gave up on the Democrats when they lied to get elected to Congress and the proceeded to do nothing when they got there. I gave up on the Democrats when it became obvious that Pelosi was protecting the Bush cabal.
I gave up on the Democrats when their presidential candidate, a Constitutional scholar, voted against the 4th Amendment, planned on continuing to go against the 1st Amendment and has plans against the 2nd.
I’m pretty much done.
27 August 2008, on 12:04 am
Well, their “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em tactics don’t appear to be working. Here’s from Americans United:
Democrats, Religion And Politics: Religious Right Unimpressed With Party’s Religious Outreach
27 August 2008, on 6:54 pm
Liberal radio pundit Mike Malloy has recently started saying that he hopes McCain wins the Presidency, precisely because he would be so bad for the country. Malloy thinks that if things get so bad in the US under Repug leadership that even the most die-hard righties can’t deny their failure, we’ll have a better chance of winning a vast majority of people over to progressive views, and thus cleaning house and rebuilding the nation in subsequent elections.
I’ve often felt that way myself, but as an immigrant used to looking to the US as a haven in a world gone wild, I don’t think I could wish such a tough lesson on anyone. I’d rather baby steps be taken forward then giant steps backward first.
28 August 2008, on 12:32 pm
Here is an excellent editorial which critiques both party nominees and how the presidency has changed from what George Washington termed “chief magistrate” to a “bloated imperial national guardian and redeemer.”
A president, not a savior
“Investing our lives with hope, uniting us all behind a higher calling, fixing our “broken” souls – none of this is remotely the president’s business. It’s not surprising that presidential contenders cater to our contradictory expectations. That’s the business they’re in. But if we’re unhappy with the results, we ought to recall the wisdom contained in the Pogo Principle: “we have met the enemy and he is us.”
So long as we embrace – or even tolerate – the idea that the president is the guardian of our national soul, we have little right to complain about our burgeoning Imperial Presidency.”
30 August 2008, on 2:00 am
Well, personally, I think it’s silly for us as atheists to carry on about not being invited to an ‘interfaith’ symposium, when basically we’ve been fighting the image of our having any faith. We don’t do faith.
& I’m pretty much w/RDZ on this one: the politicians have to pander to the religious, it’s 86% of the vote, no matter we like it or not.
30 August 2008, on 9:10 am
KA, my beef is that it has gotten to extremes and I don’t remember any other election in my lifetime being so all-around evangelical. If they are doing whatever they need to do to get elected, there is nothing different, it’s playing the political games as usual, nothing is ever going to change because we have to appease those fundies! And that may be why the election is so close. True believers know they are being lied to…OR Obama is really a fundie and not playing a game at all. He is lying to someone and how is that being a candidate of change? He is just another politician so should stop the change bullshit.
30 August 2008, on 9:12 am
Obama may have the advantage now that McCain chose Palin as his running mate “Ms I Think Creationism Being Taught In Schools is Good Idea”…he might have just sealed his loss with choosing her. She definitely won’t get most of the Hillary votes.