One Nation: Religion and Politics 2008

Faith in the Democratic Platform

It is interesting at the start of the Democratic Convention to note that the draft platform the delegates are beginning to discuss says more about what a faith initiative will not be than what it will be in an Obama administration.

I bet the GOP platform will be more positive. Not that the Democratic platform is negative. It is just less positive than one would imagine. This contrasts with Obama's rhetoric in July about his plans for a Council of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (as he will call it), though it does track somewhat his well-known 2006 Call to Renewal speech, which sought to show the complexity of faith and policy in America.

Below is the draft section on faith in the Democratic platform. It uses traditional language in praising the place of faith and its importance in solving problems in America. When it comes to specifics, however, the draft Democratic platform wants to make sure any faith-based initiative does not endanger First Amendment protections, does not allow proselytizing, does not allow discrimination (they main issue of controversy in Congressional debates on the issue), and is used on programs that actually work.

All these points are right and important. They show more concern from the Democrats about faith and government than the flowery language they have used in the past or than one would imagine in such a document.

Draft Democratic Platform Statement on Faith

We honor the central place of faith in our lives. Like our Founders, we believe that our nation, our communities, and our lives are made vastly stronger and richer by faith and the countless acts of justice and mercy it inspires. We believe that change comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up, and that few are closer to the people than our churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques. To face today's challenges -- from saving our planet to ending poverty -- we need all hands on deck. Faith-based groups are not a replacement for government or secular non-profit programs; rather, they are yet another sector working to meet the challenges of the 21st century. We will empower grassroots faith-based and community groups to help meet challenges like poverty, ex-offender reentry, and illiteracy. At the same time, we can ensure that these partnerships do not endanger First Amendment protections -- because there is no conflict between supporting faith-based institutions and respecting our Constitution. We will ensure that public funds are not used to proselytize or discriminate. We will also ensure that taxpayer dollars are only used on programs that actually work.

Democratic Outreach to the Religious Left

It is historic that there is a Faith Caucus at the current Democratic National Convention. The interfaith gathering last Sunday (August 24) and the events all week are diverse in terms of representing different religions, but not in terms of ideology, which is progressive across the faiths. The caucus panels are moderated mostly by Obama's director of religious outreach, Joshua Dubois, or by Jim Wallis, a principle architect of the religious left, which became politically active following the 2004 elections and formed Faith in Public Life, among other projects, to engage people of faith for the Democratic Party.

McCain Targets Catholics with Palin ... But Will It Help in New Mexico?

The selection of Sarah Palin as McCain's VP is by any estimate a very interesting pick. Her pro-life background should help McCain with blue collar Catholic voters generally. I'm starting to feel that this election comes down to who wins Colorado and New Mexico. Perhaps McCain flips New Hampshire. Certainly McCain must "hold serve" on more states than Obama to stay even, and that puts more pressure on him. If Obama gets momentum and starts flipping states like Ohio, Virginia, Nevada, or Florida, it's all over. It is less likely that McCain flips Democratic states like Pennsylvania or Michigan, but it is possible. I think it comes down to Colorado and New Mexico. Can two Westerners keep these GOP states? Can Palin's Catholic roots (she is reportedly a baptized Catholic) help with Hispanic voters in New Mexico? We'll see.

Who is Sarah Palin's Pastor?

With all the focus during the primary campaign season on the words of the candidates' ministers, whether it was Jeremiah Wright for Barack Obama or John Hagee for John McCain, one has to wonder when the press will start focusing on Sarah Palin's pastor. As a member of a conservative, evangelical congregation in suburban Alaska, there is a decent chance Palin was present for some controversial sermons from time to time. Much as Obama was hit with the content of Wright's sermons, one would expect Palin to receive the same treatment from the media in terms of her pastor's remarks.