Tennesseefree.com

This AP profile of the person in charge of the 2008 Democratic Convention, Leah Daughtry, nicely showcases the role religion will play in this year’s presidential election. Daughtry is an ordained minister, is no religious wallflower (she “carries a Bible in her purse”), was raised to believe Black Liberation Theology (BLT) (though noone thought to ask her if she subscribes to BLT), and splendidly–not to mention boldly, juggles her moral relativism and her religion.

Leah Daughtry has married faith and politics, holding positions in the Clinton-era Labor Department, working on the 1992 Democratic National Convention and heading her party’s outreach to faith groups, Faith In Action. And she continues to lead her own House of the Lord Church of 20 or 30 people in Washington, D.C.

Daughtry considers it all “ministry - a way to give of yourself.” Several of her party’s positions, though, put her at odds with most evangelical Christians. That includes her support for abortion rights.

“Theologically, we believe that in the greatest decision of our entire lives - whether to follow God or not - God allows us to choose,” she said. “If God is big enough to allow that choice, then who are we to dictate choices to other people? Your choices have consequences, but you should be allowed to make those choices.”

(emphasis added) Which begs a couple questions: what does the Bible (like the one in Daughtry’s purse) say about Big ol’ God’s opinion of when we do make the wrong choice? And what “choices” should we as a society not give people the freedom to make with impunity? Maybe the rest of the article can shed light on the subject.

Daughtry credited the party for changing the way it talks about abortion - “not just in terms of a woman’s right to make her own health-care choices, but also in terms of society’s responsibility to make sure women have the resources that they need to make appropriate decisions.”

(emphasis added) Yeah; another way of saying that is, “the right to make society shoulder the blame and consequences for choices people make.” Boy, I like this new way that Democrats are “talk[] about” issues.

And noted “liberal evangelical author and pastor member of the Democratic platform committee,” Tony Campolo, is asked to expound on this new way of discussing the issue of abortion:

Campolo . . . said he and others hope to move the party toward stronger advocacy for reducing the number of abortions.

He declined to discuss specific proposals, but he mentioned ensuring that pregnant women are able to go on maternity leave without fear of losing their jobs, and making day care more accessible.

(emphasis added) Okay, first objective: Family and Medical Leave Act (passed in 1993!), check! Second objective: a little dicey, because a lot of taxpayers disagree that society owes it to underwrite others’ choices to work rather than care for their child. I guess it’s the charitable thing to do, though. WWJD and all.

But is the message resonating as much as Dems hope?

Daughtry believes the party already is making inroads with evangelical voters, particularly young ones sympathetic to Democratic positions on poverty and the environment.

But a survey released last week called that into question. Despite Obama’s robust religious outreach, only about one-quarter of white evangelicals support him, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life - about the same number that supported Democrat John Kerry at this juncture four years ago.

As for those worried that Democrats are acting like Republicans when it comes to religion, Daughtry said: “The difference between us and the Republicans is, one, we don’t claim a monopoly on God. We don’t try to be dogmatic about this or make it a litmus test. For us, values come from different places.”

(emphasis added) Glad we got that cleared up. The Republican message is flawed because even a fool realizes that “values” may come from different places but they’re all equally valid. And even God doesn’t claim a monopoly on truth.

You know, what other reason than racism could there be for white evangelicals not supporting Obama?

Also at wisdomisvindicated.blogspot.com.