Thursday, July 31, 2008

Build up that wall!

If you are progressive and non religious or merely pro separation between Church and State...

For the first time in the history of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Convention will begin with an Interfaith Gathering. This is also the first official event of the 2008 Democratic National Convention and signals an opportunity for all those in the faith-community to unite around the faith and values they share as Democrats.

But what about Democrats who do not have a faith? What will they do at a gathering that DNC Convention CEO Leah Daughtry declared "is a time of celebration of various religious traditions" in the Democratic Party?

The Secular Coalition asks that you and your friends and family in the secular community. TAKE ACTION NOW.

They provide your standard form letter when you click the link. I wrote my own.

Dear Rev. Daughtry,

I am an Atheist. Your decision to hold an Interfaith Gathering as an official DNC event disturbs and alienates me. One of the United States' major enduring errors is the ongoing deterioration of the Founders' ideal of separation between Church and State.

I do not need a Democratic version of Regents University type appointees polluting my government.

The DNC convention is a political event which showcases our representatives in the government. Their political function is secular and associating their public function with religion, at very least, sends the wrong message.

The Interfaith Gathering is non sequitur for the DNC convention. You could have a perfume appreciation gathering at a bookbinders convention and argue that many bookbinders like and appreciate perfume.

You must understand that as perfume does not thematically advance or enhance the bookbinding agenda; Faith does not thematically advance or enhance the Democratic Party's (and by extension the United States') agenda.


Sincerely,

Let 'em know...

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Sent my own. If faith becomes an integral part of their politics, it makes that Libertarian guy Bob Carr look more and more appealing.

Sleeperwithheavyeyes said...

Some people believe in God some people don't. As long as they it doesn't affect policy, I don't see why you care if the people who do believe in God get together and talk or not. In fact as long as the people who have faith still act the way that you want policy wise, why do you care what the do?

HeyShae! said...

I don't have a problem with faith being integrated, many of the politicians could use a little more faith these days. As long as the decisions are not based on church policies then I don't have an issue with praying politicians.

Unknown said...

I have to disagree with the two comments above. Faith can be used as both a political tool and a control mechanism.

This country is founded on the idea of no state religion. If the intermingling of politics and faith continues, that value will be sublimated to the point of no return.

In addition, the use of words of faith should be removed. We do need a separation of church and state. Much of the impetus behind the wars we are waging right now are faith based (and oil based, but often faith and greed go hand in hand on the higher levels).

If politicians want to keep their faith to themselves, I have no issue (I believe the bible mentions something on humility). But when it is dragged out into public in a "look how faithful I am, vote for me" kind of, I loss faith in their ability to separate their personal faith and the job they need to do.

Bush says his hand is guided by god on all policy decisions. I'd prefer he use intelligence and information.

Anonymous said...

The Democrats have to cater to the religious people. Usually theres no backlash but some people dont want to.

Anonymous said...

The Democrats have to cater to the religious people. Usually theres no backlash but some people dont want to.