# Is the Democratic Party "anti-God", and what can they do to stop that stereotype? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 31, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770 "2016-01-31T18:38:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/1 "2016-01-31T18:38:50Z")
For the past few decades, the Democratic Party base has been seen as the party of atheists, and secularists. The party booed and removed God from it’s party platform in the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. The Democrats have not done well with evangelical voters in decades, especially with gay marriage and abortion (social issues). What can be done to stop that stereotype? [http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2012/09/20/the-new-secularism-of-the-democratic-party/15925](http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2012/09/20/the-new-secularism-of-the-democratic-party/15925) > **[How Democrats became secular and Republicans became religious. (It’s not what...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/09/04/how-democrats-became-secular-and-republicans-became-religious-its-not-what-you-think/)** > > Ryan Claassen, author of “Godless Democrats and Pious Republicans?”, seeks to explain the “God Gap” between the parties. > **[Most white evangelical Protestants say secular liberals have too much control...](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2016/01/27/3-religion-in-public-life/pf_2016-01-27_religion-politics-ch3-03/)** ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/2 "2016-01-31T18:43:50Z")
Nobody approaching the situation logically would equate “secularist political party” with “anti-God.” Therefore, there is no logical way to combat the stereotype. Besides, even if a party _were_ anti-God, it is a secular politial system; God has no place in it. (If you’re worried on God’s behalf, don’t: either He can take care of Himself, or he’s not the God you think he is.) I question the premise that the stereotype needs combatting. I don’t want any steps taken on the road that leads toward pandering to Evangelicals. I suggest quietly turning up the logical and critical thinking skills in our school systems, and pointing out that religion in government is contrary to American values. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/3 "2016-01-31T18:44:54Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Nobody approaching the situation logically would equate “secularist political party” with “anti-God.” Therefore, there is no logical way to combat the stereotype. Besides, even if a party _were_ anti-God, it is a secular politial system; God has no place in it. (If you’re worried on God’s behalf, don’t: either He can take care of Himself, or he’s not the God you think he is.) > > I question the premise that the stereotype needs combatting. I don’t want any steps taken on the road that leads toward pandering to Evangelicals. I suggest quietly turning up the logical and critical thinking skills in our school systems, and pointing out that religion in government is contrary to American values. Does that mean wiping God out of the U.S. system? Is that what you want? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/4 "2016-01-31T18:46:44Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > What can be done to stop that stereotype? Why _should_ anything be done to stop that stereotype? Any movement by the party to attract the type of evangelical who supports, say, Huckabee or Cruz, would drive away Democrats, including many who are religious and believers in God. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/5 "2016-01-31T18:47:08Z")
That’s what every American should want. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/6 "2016-01-31T18:47:39Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > That’s what every American should want. You want a Godless country, that’s what you want? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/7 "2016-01-31T18:47:58Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Does that mean wiping God out of the U.S. system? What role does God play in the U.S. system? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/8 "2016-01-31T18:51:49Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Does that mean wiping God out of the U.S. system? Is that what you want? You can’t wipe out someBeing that wasn’t there to start with. It’s a secular country. Deal with it. (Edit: rather, it’s a country with a secular government. The people are free to be religious in their own way. I’m a pagan, for example, merrily rejecting my grandparents’ Christian values in favor of a Christian-influenced version of my fifty-times-great-grandparents’ gods.) ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/9 "2016-01-31T18:52:12Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > What role does God play in the U.S. system? Values. Hard work. Going to school, having an education. Building on society. Believing in marriage and what it comes with it. I am an independent, but I am a Christian as well. I don’t believe in mocking God as Bill Maher does. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/10 "2016-01-31T18:52:23Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > That’s what every American should want. +100 Anti-god is what I demand from my doctors as well as politicians. I’m not interested in their interpretation of a storybook. I want to be sure that faith does not interfere with making progress in society (i.e. LBGT rights). So right off the bat, Cruz, Huckabee, Santy-poo will not have my support. Their agenda is making this a “christian country” against the majority’s will. I also don’t think anyone who claims to be a “christian first, American second” is qualified to run for office, vote, or even raise a family without Child Care Services overlooking their parenting. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/11 "2016-01-31T18:53:16Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > You can’t wipe out someBeing that wasn’t there to start with. It’s a secular country. Deal with it. So you’re saying God does not exist? Is that what you are trying to say? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/12 "2016-01-31T18:53:17Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Values. Hard work. Going to school, having an education. Building on society. Believing in marriage and what it comes with it. What does any of that have to do with God? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/13 "2016-01-31T18:53:40Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > You want a Godless country, that’s what you want? Out of the public sector, the schools, the decision making, the law making, the courts, yes. What religion you practice is yours to practice in private or your house of worship. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/14 "2016-01-31T18:54:25Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > +100 > > Anti-god is what I demand from my doctors as well as politicians. I’m not interested in their interpretation of a storybook. I want to be sure that faith does not interfere with making progress in society (i.e. LBGT rights). So right off the bat, Cruz, Huckabee, Santy-poo will not have my support. Their agenda is making this a “christian country” against the majority’s will. I also don’t think anyone who claims to be a “christian first, American second” is qualified to run for office, vote, or even raise a family without Child Care Services overlooking their parenting. You don’t force LGBT rights on people, either. They haven’t done anything to build America up. You have to have balance. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/15 "2016-01-31T18:55:30Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > So you’re saying God does not exist? Is that what you are trying to say? No, that is not what I’m trying to say. It is a fair representation of what I believe, but my point was that we have a governmental system where the power explicitly comes from the people, and where there is no political role for God or for his earthly representatives. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/16 "2016-01-31T18:56:03Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > What does any of that have to do with God? Work values. Ethics. Most atheists do not. They are seen as leeches, losers, haters, parasites, people who want to suck the country dry. Atheists don’t enter the military for honor, they do it to get on the government largesse. That is how normal Americans see it. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/17 "2016-01-31T18:56:51Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > You don’t force LGBT rights on people, either. They haven’t done anything to build America up. You have to have balance. So you believe that Christian churches that want to perform same-sex marriages should be prohibited from doing so? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/18 "2016-01-31T18:57:55Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > You want a Godless country, that’s what you want? Well, I do, but I was referring to the government. All Americans should want a godless government. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/19 "2016-01-31T18:58:49Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > You don’t force LGBT rights on people, either. They haven’t done anything to build America up. You have to have balance. As a gay person, speaking to a person who claims to value morality, I would ask you to please re-think this statement. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/20 "2016-01-31T18:58:57Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Work values. Ethics. Most atheists do not. They are seen as leeches, losers, haters, parasites, people who want to suck the country dry. Atheists don’t enter the military for honor, they do it to get on the government largesse. That is how normal Americans see it. Huh, I’ve never heard that stereotype before. Interesting. Although now that I see your… style I’m skeptical as to where this conversation could go. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770.md?page=2)