Obama supporters, listen up:

[callous taoboy]

This morning NPR had a story about Democratic presidential candidates courting the religious vote. Any savy candidate is, of course, researching this carefully.

I e-mailed Senator Obama's office this morning and explained that my checkbook is wide open for staunchly Democratic candidates willing to stand firm against the religious extremists who want 1)gay people to be out of sight out of mind 2)public monies for parochial education via vouchers and 3)the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Now is the time to let our people know that kow towing to the far-right religious vote is the wrong way to go.

[theboss]

1. So...no Democrats in black churches this time?

That strikes me as an exceedingly bad idea.

I love how Left-Wingers ignore the fact that one of our most important constituent groups is extremely religious.

[cigsandcoffee]

2. Sure. And because of that religion, remain strongly anti-Gay.

Candidates should stop throwing gays to the lions because it's politically expedient.

[bryant69]

10. So you can't work for both religious people and for Gays?

That puts us in a bit of a bind, doesn't it?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Hamlette]

3. but there are equally as many people who are terrified by what

religion is doing to our country. If being religious means hating gays and depriving them of rights, defunding public education by turning it in to a two tier religious voucher mess (think the English system) and abandoning science you will lose much more than "one of our most important constituent groups".

If we need to throw gays off the bus to keep black religious people on the bus, this straight whitie gets off with the gays.

[Tyler Durden]

5. AMEN.

"Hardaway" Black "Democrats" are NOT FOR EQUALITY AND EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW.

At this point, I'd rather see unrest than have another 4-8 years of cowardly or concilitory leadership.

[theboss]

7. Doubtful

According to a 2001 Gallup Poll, 75 percent of all Americans describe themseleve as either "religious" or "somewhat religious."

81 percent of all Americans define themselves with a specific religion.

So, I don't think that there is this true anti-religious backlash that you think exists.

[callous taoboy]

6. No politics in churches period. n/t

[theboss]

8. So, no one should emulate Martin Luther King, Jr. anymore?

So long, Jesse Jackson!
Bye bye, Al Sharpton!

[callous taoboy]

11. And which political candidates did King, Jackson and Sharpton

endorse from the pulpit?

[theboss]

12. For Jackson and Sharpton....themselves....

From the February 14, 1984 addition of the New York Times:

"The Rev. Jesse Jackson's bid for the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination has generated a new wave of political activity in the nation's black churches. Members of predominantly black congregations are emerging as a key factor in the Jackson strategy, particularly in the South. Intense efforts are under way, through the black churches, to turn out blacks in large numbers to vote for Mr. Jackson in Democratic primaries."

Jesse Jackson's view on religion and politics:

“My religion obligates me to be political, to seek to do God’s will and allow the spiritual word to become concrete justice and dwell among us. Religion should use you politically to do public service. Politics should not misuse religion. When the Word becomes flesh and dwells among us, that’s called good religion.“

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. Why, exactly, are you conflating religious belief with religious bigotry?

All we 'lefties' are saying, is hate is not a virtue.

Why do you defend it?

[theboss]

17. And religion is not in and of itself hateful

The idea that there is no place for religion in politics is flatly wrong.

The idea that visiting black churches or seeking the Catholic vote is somehow the equivalent of speaking at Bob Jones' University is flatly wrong.

There is a long, long, long and beautiful history of the religion in the US working for progressive issues. What Democrats should be doing is working to reclaim that history. And Obama seems to understand that better than most.

[callous taoboy]

20. Never have I posted a message claiming

that "there is no place for religion in politics." I can't even imagine that. I am talking about people who would have their religious beliefs dictate whom I can marry, or who would love to see public education shut down because it is not Christ-like enough for them.

Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, is a Christian, a Southern Baptist, who "gets it," who is "dedicated to promoting mutual respect, cooperation and civility, ...and strives to promote religion as a positive and healing force in the life of the nation." I strongly support his cause I encourage you to visit his web-site.

http://www.interfaithalliance.org/site/pp.asp?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=408847

[ripmolly]

4. Being a Christian doesn't mean hating gays or being anti-choice

My checkbook is open to any Democrat who reaches out to pro-gay pro-choice Christians.

[callous taoboy]

9. Not sure how you read

my message as a broad swipe at all Christians. I listed three areas of particular concern to me and whether or not I support a candidate depends a great deal on how he /she approaches these issues. I heard what Senator Obama had to say at the Democratic convention in 2004 and was so impressed I mailed him a note signaling my intention to support him. If he starts to backtrack he will get zero support from me. I've had enough of religious zealotry.

[theboss]

13. Except Obama himself is deeply deeply religious

So...you are asking him to betray his own belief system in order to garner your support.

And for the record "far right" and "religious" are not equivalent.

[Tyler Durden]

15. Then let him support EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.

PUBLICLY. NOW.

I'd rather he had FAITH than be "deeply religious."

[dogday]

16. Thank you for that.... eom

[callous taoboy]

18. He also stated at the convention

that he is pro-choice and against discrimination against gays. I have no problem with his religion as long as it does not cloud his interpretation / defense of democracy.

[theboss]

19. So...what has he done to prove otherwise?

You can be religious and support gay rights.

Seriously, it's easy.

[callous taoboy]

21. Nothing....yet.:

You'll have to excuse me for being a bit jaded on politicians these days. My e-mail to him was an appeal to not waver one bit on his ideology as he strives to secure the religious vote.

[theboss]

22. Okay...fair enough

What got my attention in the original post was the idea that by seeking "religious voters," Obama was automatically kow-towing to the Extreme Religious Right.

Relgious voters and the Religious Right are not synonomous.

[callous taoboy]

23. I get you. Sorry, didn't mean to offend or anything. n/t