Putting God Back in Politics

[El Supremo]

I would assume that this was posted here before. But I think that it is very important to review again. Soon after this was published, Howard Dean made the unfortunate statement that his favorite book in the Bible was Job - in the New Testament. Are we Democrats going forfeit religious belief to the Republican Fundalmentalists?



Putting God Back in Politics
by Jim Wallis

As the Democratic candidates for president attend religious
services for the holidays, their celebrations may be tempered by
an uncomfortable fact: churchgoing Americans tend to vote
Republican.

An overwhelming majority of Americans consider themselves to be
religious. Yet according to the Pew Research Center for the
People and the Press, people who attend church more than once a
week vote Republican by 63 percent to 37 percent; people who
seldom or never attend vote Democratic by 62 percent to 38
percent.

This disparity should concern Democrats - if not as a matter of
faith then as a matter of politics. More important, it should
concern anyone who cares about the role of religion in public
life. By failing to engage Republicans in this debate, the
Democrats impoverish us all.

President Bush and the Republicans clearly have an advantage
with people of faith as an election year approaches. Republicans
are more comfortable talking about religious values and issues,
and they are quick to promise that their faith will affect their
policies (even if, like their Democratic counterparts, they
don't always follow through on their campaign promises).

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[unblock]

1. democrats should talk about government INTERFERING with faith

we should be criticizing the government TAKEOVER of religion. governmnet CO-OPTING religious charity. government INTRUDING on religious freedom.

democratic candidates can play it safe by first proclaiming their own faith and religiosity, and then saying that they personally resent the government interfering with his private faith and family religion.

[DeadHead67]

2. Putting God back in politics. . . .

For some of us God was never out of politics, but is rather our motivation. I'm a practicing Episcopalian and recovering Republican. MANY Anglicans in this country are progressive largely due to a real compassion(as opposed to what I laughingly refer to as compassionate conservatism) which comes from our understanding of the Gospel. By the same token, I agree that government should make no law or rule establishing ANY religion . . . . 'nuf said

[2Design]

3. biggest abusers of wife and children are the most religious

I have also read several books that cite that the biggest abusers of children are usually highly religious......and we have seen that...on the news....the women who have killed their children...the priest who have defiled children......

yes I really take notice of this warnings from the pious......They are the ones who are to be feared....

Even all those pious who went after clinton because he couldn't keep his zipper closed......how many went down in flames for pursuing him...... wasn't newt the biggest liar.....and yet the most pious...

clinton may have had a zipper problem but he had that long before he got to the white house and yet the repubs wasted so much time and taxpayer money on the issue....

they did not let him lead and take care of the real problems....

I can get on a soap box about these supposive religious types....

[pop goes the weasel]

4. There's an easy way to do this

Just say, simply and clearly, that Democrats refuse to let government hijack God for its own purposes.

The Republicans spin is that religion should be in government. The Democratic spin needs to be that government is using religion the same way that Caesar used it--to give governmental action the imprimature of divinity.

Oh, and here's one for those Bush worshippers who tell you W has been chosen by God: God chose Judas, too.

[Design8edGrouch]

5. God chose Judas, too.

Great comeback. Unfortunately when I steal it--you will receive no credit for it.
I couldn't agree more that the Dem's need to talk about religious faith and they should also point out the high-jacking of religion, by the repugs, for less than holy reasons. This nation actively participates in Emperor worship. We will get the exact same results that the Roman Empire got for its deification of the Caesars. Rich men feasting while the common man was brutalized and savagely killed in the arena.

[pop goes the weasel]

6. "This nation actively participates in Emperor worship"

Yes! Yes! We have seen in our lifetimes the loss of the concept of governments deriving "their just powers from the consent of the governed" and the success of government based on divine right. Without an active campaign to reaffirm our traditional values, democracy itself is in peril.