Democrats strike back on faith issue [View All]

[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.

<SNIP>