I don't know if David Brooks is right that if the Dems took religion more seriously, Kerry would be farther ahead, but I think he reveals something that I'm surprised the media has not picked up on. If you read any newspaper, they will tell you that the Democratic Party is a very secular party where few go to church. Maybe among the elites, but not among the rank and file. My housemate and ex-boyfriend is a die-hard Democrat and a devout Lutheran. My parents are traditional New Deal/Labor Democrats and devout Baptists. I know many people who are Democrats and go to church every Sunday. Heck, I grew up in the Black Church and if you want to talk about a constituency that is very religious and liberal, there it is.
I don't know where the media and some Democratic leaders get off thinking that rank and file Democrats are not religious. They are. I know many devout Christians and Jews who believe that their faith is tied to how the poor and forgotten are treated by our society. And they do vote Democrat.
One thing that has always bothered me is how people seem to make fun of George Bush's talk about his faith. While I can and do criticize how sectarian his faith is, it seems at time that people are faulting that he has a faith. I don't mind if politicians talk about their faith because it is something that is a part of them. What bothers me is when God becomes part of a party's platform.
Kerry and Dems need to at least acknowledge faith (of all religions) because if they don't, it will seem that faith is not important to them and in essence will to seem to voters that their faith is not important to them. Brooks is correct that Bill Clinton knew how to talk about faith without becoming sectarian and exclusive like the GOP has done. Because of Clinton's adherance to his own faith and his respect for other people's faith he connected with voters.
America is still a very religous nation. The mosque, the synogogue and the church still play an important role in people's lives. Without the church, there would be no civil rights movement. The Dems need to be reminded of this and learn to speak with respect to faith in ways that are uplifting and inclusive.
Posted by Dennis at June 22, 2004 01:20 AMAs a non-american, what does world domination
have to do with religion??? ...unless you're right.
Do you want to take that chance ?
Amber,
Lincoln is generally considered to be the founder of the modern day Republican party.
The period from Washington thru Jackson was a very interesting time as far as political parties are concerned.
It was during the time of the Jeffersonian Democracy and the Jacksonian Democracy that the Democratic party was formed. Both are generally allowed to share the title of founders of the Democratic party.
Democrats routinely hold "Jefferson/Jackson" fundraisers - named after the two founders.
The intellectual heirs of Lincoln and Roosevelt haven't abandoned their ideals, they've only forgotten the importance of voting in the primaries.
They are beginning to hear the call to serve.
Be sure to thank them when the time comes to serve together.
Posted by: dorsano at June 30, 2004 11:38 PMRob,
Our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, (Republican)did not profess to be of a particular faith but was a deist, one who believes in God as a concept, but not in a personal God. He wrote his version of the Bible, extracting passages with which he disagreed in principal and philosophy. Because of his deism he had been called an atheist by his detractors. This week's Time magazine is a special issue of Jefferson.
How sad that the GOP has lost so much of the ideologies of Jefferson and Lincoln, and that true Republicans are yearning to regain those basic ideals, just as all of us are clammoring to regain our country from the grasp of those in power presently.
You are all correct. Faith is an important part of our lives. How one shows their conviction is their choice. That is what America is about. The right to choose. The problem begins when our legislators believe their faith and conviction is the choice for everyone. Using your faith to guide you is great. However, when you are establishing the laws of the land, you need to provide everyone the opportunity and freedom to make their own choice. That is why we are suppose to have the seperation of church and state.
Posted by: Bob Faust at June 22, 2004 10:01 AMI don't know where David Brooks gets off saying Kerry isn't speaking out about his faith or showing that he has one. He is reported to be devoutly Catholic, and seems to miss no opportunity to go to Mass on Sundays, even though it often becomes a negative part of the day, with the question of will the priests serve him communion or not.
I can't think of a Democrat or Republican president who wasn't a person of faith. Even Nixon consulted regularly with the Rev. Billy Graham, although I don't think he regularly attended services. I think Reagan was perhaps the least obviously spiritual of the presidents - almost never attending church services (although he may have had services in the white house).
The disgusting thing - the real sin if you believe in sin - is that the right-wing nut Christians have driven thousands to abandon their faith, not just change it but abandon it. If there is a judgement day, I'd expect that god will deal harshly with these smug, sanctimonious idiots.
(And I have to say at present, my personal journey has led me to passive atheism, all the way from being raised a Southern Baptist. I'm not an evangelical atheist - I don't try to convert people. But my search has landed me in a Unitarian church, where they don't mind my current lack in belief in a deity.)
Rob Howard
Dennis, I just wanted to say thank you so much for this blog.
Personally, I have walked away from the Republican Party and will likely not return for a long time, if ever. Sometimes I think such horrible things about the people I left behind.
When I see the spirit of your words and the strength of your convictions, I am reminded of the best of the Republican Party. And I pray for your efforts to rebuild the party. What you've done for Bob Faust is really amazing, and hopefully you know that.
Thank you.
Posted by: James at June 22, 2004 06:08 AM