MyDD :: Democrats are Christians Too!

Democrats are Christians Too!

by TruthMatters, Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 10:51:36 AM EST

SO Sen. Obama will give his faith based speech today, and in the past I have seen some progressive sites roll their eyes at what they consider pandering to the Right.

but I think its time for progressive to realize that they are the wing of the democratic party so to with atheists and those of other faiths and realize that the majority of this country does see themselves as Christians and thus "pandering" as they would say to people of faith is not pandering ot the right, its pandering to a majority of americans.

follow me after the jump.

"Now, make no mistake, as someone who used to teach constitutional law, I believe deeply in the separation of church and state, but I don't believe this partnership will endanger that idea - so long as we follow a few basic principles. First, if you get a federal grant, you can't use that grant money to proselytize to the people you help and you can't discriminate against them - or against the people you hire - on the basis of their religion. Second, federal dollars that go directly to churches, temples, and mosques can only be used on secular programs. And we'll also ensure that taxpayer dollars only go to those programs that actually work."

I see alot of people just jump at horror as what they see is Obama moving to the right, but me I just saw Obama and me agreeing on something else.

and reading people reactions at other blogs, I am reminded of a thought I have had previously, that espeically on progessive blogs its almost a taboo to be both a Christian and a Democrat.

or sure everyone just takes for granted that a democratic politican will say they believe in god, but usually from Democrats we don't get much more that something we would expect from the Right. well my friends, there are alot more Christian Democrats then progressives might realize,

and when Obama says stuff like this, he is not just appealing to the south, but alot of people in the North too. as a Christian I never had a problem with Bush's faith based programs, and I won't have a problem with them being expanded. as a democrat I don't believe my faith should be forced on others, but I also don't think Democrats or americans should feel forced to hide their faith either, and as a Christian Democrat I can mostly certainly say thats how progressives made moderate Christian democrats feel. I am happy that obama is reaching out to evangelicals because I have always thought they should be democrats.

Needless to say this week with progressive outrage at Obama moving to the center made me wonder, am I more to the center then I thought.

Obama is running to be a President for all people, that means the Right is going to move left, but the left should be under no impressions that under an Obama administration you won't have to move right.

Join us in the center its nice here, then you will be how a Christian can be pro-choice, or how a Christian can be against gay-marriage, but believe the government should only recognize civil unions for all citizens.

I support Obama's move to the center and I hope alot more americans do also.

Tags: Barack Obama (all tags)

Permalink :: 35 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (2.00 / 1)

As long as there isn't any proselytization, I have no problem with these programs. Who knows, some of them might actually be useful.

by rfahey22 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 10:54:08 AM EST

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (2.00 / 1)

When natural disasters hit, religious organizations are some of the first on the scene. They do tons of work for organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Even missionaries, whose work is NOT entirely secular, go to countries around the world to build infrastructure. I have relatives who taught native tribes in Bolivia how to build wells and cook in a way that didn't fill their homes with smoke, something that they never before had. All this they did with VERY little money while facing constant danger (when Evo Morales came to power, they felt Anti-American sentiment was too strong to stay).

They do a bunch. Funding effective ones is one of the best uses of federal money and a great way to practice bottom-up government from the top-down.

"Tell me about your work ethic." "Well, I don't think ethnics do no work. I mean, that's they problem, really." "Overt racial prejudice. Impressive."

by vcalzone on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:16:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

I say just as long as there is an absolute ban on those creepy fish people put on their cars. A crucifix, a bumper sticker that says "God is my copilot", Rosary beads hanging from the rearview mirror. All ok. The creepy fish. Not ok.

by the mollusk on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:48:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

I AGREE THAT THE CREEPY FISH ARE NOT OK!!!

by rfahey22 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 12:21:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (2.00 / 2)

Yes, like many Obama supporters you are more centrist than you appear. The Democratic party is no more Christian than it is Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist or anything else. We usually follow the example of our country's founders and separate church from state, favoring no religion in our politics.

by souvarine on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 10:58:09 AM EST

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

well maybe its from living in MN, but yes when I see a Christian in here in MN, its NOT a forgone conclusion if they are democrats or republicans.

then again I do know MN is more liberal then other states, heck we elected Jesse Ventura,

but i think maybe the democratic party IS more Christian then people think. but its a taboo to be in the democratic party and talk like the GOP do. because they do hold the corner on the regligious vote, and talking like them loses you the non-religious vote in the democratic party.

but this whole separate church and state, you go ask the majority of americans if they want the words under god removed from the pledge of alliegence, or if they want the in god we trust taken off our money.

Centrist Democrats just don't have any real voice, as they say, you play to your base in the primaries and move center in the general

and i don't think I am more Centrist really I dunno if the standard for being progressive is agreeing with ALL of the progressive agendas sure, but I truly see myself as a progressive.
I dunno maybe I am a progressive Republican is there such a thing?

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:04:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (2.00 / 1)

I'm a proud Catholic Democrat and I have never had a problem talking like a Catholic or making arguments rooted in Catholicism with other Democrats. There is nothing taboo in the Democratic party about being a person of faith, but using religion to divide or exclude people is not in keeping with Democratic values. Like JFK, I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute. We do not use the instruments of the state to fund any religion.

There are plenty of centrist Democrats who probably agree with you. One symbol of Democratic centrism, the DLC, calls it's think tank the Progressive Policy Institute, centrists are as justified as anyone else in using the term "progressive". And they have a powerful voice, it is just not as visible online.

by souvarine on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:22:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

The Anti religious nature of the Democratic Party is a myth. No one can really be anti religious and be elected in this country. We are one of the most intolerant western country to people who do not subscribe to a faith, let alone the Christian faith.

I actually do not mind Obama pandering to the religious. Hey, someone's got to get their votes. The religious nature of Obama does not impress me. Someone who takes to a religion in such a strong manner as a grown up is actually a negative for me. BUt unlike the religious right who hold lack of enough faith against people like me, I do not do the reverse. If Obama wants to be overly religious, that's his personal issue< i guess. I do not care for it, but it's not my problem.

by Pravin on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 10:59:26 AM EST

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

Dont go over to Kos.

"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"

by Brandon on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:01:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

Ugh... really? I was wondering why there seemed to be this pushback against something that seemed pretty benign. This is why I don't go to Kos.

"Tell me about your work ethic." "Well, I don't think ethnics do no work. I mean, that's they problem, really." "Overt racial prejudice. Impressive."

by vcalzone on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:19:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

yeah, I like Kos for some things, but for ALOT of other things I can't stand it.

there is a reason I consider MyDD as my blog home rather then daily kos, even though I found this site through Daily Kos.

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:27:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

oh I think its works both ways,

just as Obama took hits for "pandering" to the religous right, there would be no hits if there wasn't some anti-religous parts to the democratic party.

I think people just assume the Christian faction of the democratic party is so small because we already SEEM not to vote based on it, when we support pro-choice candidates and what not.

but like minorites I tend to see them as the majority of those numbers religious but they are still also democrats.

then again I can only speak for African Americans and my exposure to them.

p.s. I consider Muslims and people of other face still religious.

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:14:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama to expand Bush's faith based programs (2.00 / 1)

This according to AP:

But Obama's support for letting religious charities that receive federal funding consider religion in employment decisions could invite a storm of protest from those who view such faith requirements as discrimination.

Obama does not support requiring religious tests for recipients of aid nor using federal money to proselytize, according to a campaign fact sheet. He also only supports letting religious institutions hire and fire based on faith in the non-taxypayer funded portions of their activities, said a senior adviser to the campaign, who spoke on condition of anonymity to more freely describe the new policy.

Bush supports broader freedoms for taxpayer-funded religious charities. But he never got Congress to go along so he has conducted the program through administrative actions and executive orders.

David Kuo, a conservative Christian who was deputy director of Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives until 2003 and later became a critic of Bush's commitment to the cause, said Obama's position on hiring has the potential to be a major "Sister Souljah moment" for his campaign.

You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat

by indydem99 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:02:12 AM EST

the diarist quoted Obama directly (none / 0)

rather than the gloss some AP writer put on it.

by JJE on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:11:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Ap has always been favorable to Sen. obama (none / 0)

You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat

by indydem99 on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:21:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

you can read Obama's words yourself (2.00 / 2)

why would you rely on the AP's summary of those same words?

Also, the AP is hundreds of writers and editors with varying degrees of bias and accuracy. "AP has always been favorable to Sen. Obama" is a nonsensical statement.

by JJE on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:48:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

I also don't think Democrats or americans should feel forced to hide their faith either, and as a Christian Democrat I can mostly certainly say thats how progressives made moderate Christian democrats feel.

very true. I've also noticed this. [When did being a person of faith automatically make you a right winger?] its like the right wing hijacked religion as a staple of their party.----

I think he's trying to reach out, which is good, and it shows that he is willingly to sit down at the table with anyone, no matter which walk of life they come from.

by alyssa chaos on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:09:49 AM EST

I am a delighted centrist (none / 0)

I have never claimed to be anything other than a centrist. I believe I am part of the middle that every presidential candidate hopes to gain as they seek election.

I whole heartedly support Obama's return to the middle. As he fought with Hillary, I watched him drift farther to the left, away from where he was when heard him speak and shook his hand several times here in Iowa.

I am fascinated by his intent to support and strengthen faith based initiatives. I think his last two commercials have been solid. I look forward to Obama blossoming as a post-primary candidate, and a post-partisan president.

by bekhardt on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:16:23 AM EST

Re: I am a delighted centrist (none / 0)

I came to blogging through progressive sites, and up till now have always completely agreed (cept usually on faith issues)

but when this whole Obama moving to the center thing started, I never really understood, 1) I didn't really see him as moving just having different positions on different issues, and 2) I had no problems with his so called center opinions

but this whole progressive outrage at Obama moving center, espeically when thats where most the country probably is, looks alot like the GOPers who don't consider McCain conservative

its their definiton of progressive or the highway.

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:33:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I am a delighted centrist (none / 0)

I was actually told over at Kos "You are perfectly free to defend Obama's support of FBIs.
But you surrender your claim to the progressive label in doing so."

Its sad, I am starting to see the cartoonish view of some democrats that some Republicans see, and it isn't pleasing.

"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"

by Brandon on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:43:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

As a Clintonista I have to say (1.00 / 2)

that I am enjoying the Obama kids eat their own and turn on each other. Since you all ran off the real centrists and average Dems there is nobody left to defend you from your own kind.

HAHAHAHA!

by LatinoVoter on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 02:34:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Uprated for ratings abuse (none / 0)

Please follow the rules!

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 04:50:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I am a delighted centrist (none / 0)

The word "centrist" makes me shutter. But i think centrists have gotten a bad rep from the DLC and people like Joe Lieberman. When I hear "centrist" I automatically think "scared corporatist". But that's probably not fair. And I think you are absolutely correct that using Faith for the power of good in our society is something Democrats should embrace. The problem I've always had with Bush's Faith Agenda is the same problem I've always had with Bush: I don't believe anything he says and I don't trust him to manage anything. This goes way back to pre-Afghan invasion days. And I believe that my fears about Bush have turned out to be well-founded.

But the idea of a President Obama using Faith to further the ultimate Progressive ideals of equality and egalitarianism is a no-brainer to me. Why not? Obviously the boundaries must be strictly set and followed. But that's where I trust a President Obama infinitely more than a President Bush - who never really believed any of this anyhow.

by the mollusk on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:44:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

Sorry for the crass link to my own diary, but I originally posted this on a pretty slow day and I think it is worth looking at in context of TruthMatters' diary.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/6/20/1525 21/431

by the mollusk on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 11:38:34 AM EST

good democrat suppose to be atheist! (none / 0)

Welcome to a Landslide without white Working class, Latinos, Women, Seniors and holding-on sweeties

by engels on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 12:04:20 PM EST

Re: good democrat suppose to be atheist! (none / 0)

I am going to hope you are kidding on that one.

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 12:19:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: good democrat suppose to be atheist! (none / 0)

That seems to be the kos opinion.

"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"

by Brandon on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 12:39:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: good democrat suppose to be atheist! (none / 0)

i do not care about kos

Welcome to a Landslide without white Working class, Latinos, Women, Seniors and holding-on sweeties

by engels on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 04:07:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

I am torn on this one. On one hand, I've seen what the religious right has done to the republican party (and it ain't good). I've watched Jesus Camp and I have had a few fundies in my life.

however, on the other hand, people like my mother, Pope John Paul II and Bono (yep!!) have shown me that one can be devout without being crazy.

my favorite quote from Pope John Paul II is that when asked about evolution, he simply stated that yes, he believe in evolution and that God created it.

none of this nonsense about the earth being 6000 years old and ID being taught alongside evolution.

by colebiancardi on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 12:56:29 PM EST

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (none / 0)

Pope John Paul II, Bono and your mother don't need our tax dollars to fund their initiatives. The Catholic church has plenty of money, property and devoted members to fund their programs. No church or religious organization needs our tax dollars and a government program in order to do good work for their community.

by LakersFan on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 02:42:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Democrats are Christians Too! (2.00 / 1)

oh, I totally agree.

We should not give $$ to religious organizations if we can't tax them.

by colebiancardi on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 04:48:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Big surprise that you (none / 0)

agree with the pandering that is in line with your religious beliefs.

This is all so very Bushian, right down to pandering to the bible thumpers and giving them more money than Bush.

by LatinoVoter on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 02:33:08 PM EST

Non-Christians are Democrats too! (none / 0)

And we really resent when our party panders to Christians. Pandering to religion is for Republicans. Democratic pandering should be based on economic issues, not religious ones. As a non-Christian who fully supports the 1st Amendment, I don't support any elected official taking tax dollars and giving them to any religious organization for any reason.

by LakersFan on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 02:37:09 PM EST