Howard Dean evidently thinks the Democrat Party doesn’t have any Christians. At least that’s the impression I get from his interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network. The chairman of the Democrat Party told CBN News that “one of the misconceptions about the Democratic Party is that we’re godless and that we don’t have any values.”
“The truth is, we have an enormous amount in common with the Christian community, and particularly with the evangelical Christian community,” Dean said. “And one of the biggest things that Democrats worry about is the materialism of our country, what’s on television that our kids are seeing, and the lack of spirituality. And that’s something we have in common.”
Apart from the blatant falsehood of this statement is the general impression it leaves. The first thing I thought when I read this was: “Howard Dean sees Democrats as distinct from Christianity.” If you read this, the impression Dean gives is that Democrats have a lot in common with Christianity (true or not), whereas if you were to hear, say, George Bush speak on the topic, he would talk about being a Christian. There’s a big difference.
As for the Democrat Party’s values, the only ones I can see are “anger,” “abortion,” and “contrariness.” Not my cup of tea.
Technorati Tags: Dean, Democrats, liberalism, politics
You see, Fr. Philip, you should have been a Franciscan. First of all, Diet Coke would be viewed as a frivolous luxury, sparing you the expense of spewing brown spots all over your habit.
And had you done so anyway, your habit would already be brown
I on a regular basis read a very negative democrat’s blog, every other post is anti-christian (with use of profanity) or a sarcastic post about Bush. One of her post was arguing that it is a misrepresentation that democrats are not pro-family, this was a few post after giving praise to Planned Parenthood.
I’m actually registering as a democrat for the gubernatorial primary. I don’t know if I will vote, but there is a massachusetts democrats for life organization in the state and they have a web site.
Nothing against Franciscans, csprague, but Dominicans and Franciscans don’t usually want to trade places. It’s a matter of differing temperaments. The two orders even became theological rivals in the Middle Ages.
As for Dean, his relation to religion has already been chronicled, including the story of how he quit one denomination in a political dispute over a bike path. Also, he’s apparently said, “[I] don’t go to church very often. My religion doesn’t inform my public policy.” It seems the key thing he likes about the UCC is that in it individuals are free to believe whatever the heck they want, leaving Dean free to put his political values first.
Sometimes people treat politics like it was a religious belief. I realize I’m generalizing here, but I do associate myself with some very well mannered secular non-religious liberals.
If you were to say “Merry Christmas”, they would be offended that you were imposing your beliefs on them rather then simply understaning you were giving them well wishes in the name of your joy.
Despite having non-religious evidence, such as life begins at conception (just pick up any pre-natal pregnancy book) all because it coincides with our religious beliefs it them becomes an issue of “seperation of Church and State” not and issue of natural law being grounds for sound legislation and education of women’s bodies.
Many non-religious liberals have this great fear that our country will be run by people who “are forcing the Bible down thier throats”. The motivation is reactionary, and it puts Christians on the defensive when it comes to politics.
A democrat candidate might have better legislation for myself on a personal level, but if they disregard my religious beliefs and not address life issues based on natural law well then I’m not going to ignore that.