# 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:** 11
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/202 "2016-02-01T03:44:13Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > What I am trying to say, some members of The Democratic Party have been hostile to God. It is not something that is good for democracy. I am an a Republican. I have voted for both parties. I’m worried about the country. I’m worried about Christian churches. I am worried about Christian soldiers in the military being attacked or left behind in combat. I am not a 6 year old. I am very bright. I know a lot about American politics. I want an honorable and proud America here at home and abroad. I will note, here, that you are posting claims that are not established as fact and that you are demonstrating a serious failure of logic. You are also very clearly failing to address the points others have raised against your claims which will not do anything to encourage me to leave this thread open. I will grant that some Democrats may be “hostile” to God, (whatever that means), yet I doubt that you can name even one. In your OP, you incorrectly expanded that statement to include the entire party. You express a lot of worry, but you show no reasons to support those worries and you provide no link between your “worry” and your OP. Christian churches are not under attack in this country. One worry you can set aside. There is no evidence that any U.S. soldier will be harmed by friendly fire or left behind because he or she is Christian. There are no reports of its ever having happened and, as I already provided, there is a fair amount of evidence that the military is being undermined from American values by a particular strain of Christians. One more worry that you can set aside. _(You should be more worried that some of those “Christian” soldiers will leave behind comrades that do not meet their approval.)_ If you want an honorable America, then begin supporting it by promoting values such as the separation of church and state. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/203 "2016-02-01T03:46:00Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > What I am trying to say, some members of The Democratic Party have been hostile to God. It is not something that is good for democracy. Firstly, the idea that the Democratic Party as a whole is “anti-God” is largely the result of a persistent and long-term smear campaign by the God-fearing Republican Party. Those “good Christians” you vote for? They lie. A lot. Secondly, even if this is true it has nothing to do with “democracy”. If enough people want to elect a Satanist or a Pastafarian, “democracy” means they have the right to do so. > [@](#): > > I am an a Republican. I have voted for both parties. I’m worried about the country. I’m worried about Christian churches. What about them? There are lots of them. By the standards of the rest of the world, there are a ludricrous number of them in America. They’re not under threat. > [@](#): > > I am worried about Christian soldiers in the military being attacked or left behind in combat. By whom? Are you under the impression that non-Christian soldiers are likely to shoot their Christian brethen or leave them to die on the battlefield? Because if that’s the case, that’s not only an _insane_ accusation but it is _incredibly_ insulting to those non-Christian soldiers who perform their duties with care and professionalism, putting their lives on the line just like any other soldier, and frankly you should be ashamed. And if that’s not the case, I have no idea why you’re worried about this. > [@](#): > > I am not a 6 year old. I am very bright. I know a lot about American politics. I want an honorable and proud America here at home and abroad. I live in the UK at the moment. You want to know what’s bringing embarrassment on this country at the moment? **The Republicans**. The fact that Trump is even being considered as a Presidential candidate is making America a laughingstock, and the rest of the incoherent, anti-intellectual rabble that make up the GOP ticket aren’t exactly inspiring confidence either. Does that make you proud? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/204 "2016-02-01T03:49:18Z")
Clearly I type too slowly. Ninja’d by _everyone_. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/205 "2016-02-01T04:00:12Z")
I’m a Democrat _because_ I’m a Christian - one who rejoices in the fact that we live in a country where we all have the ability to practice our own religion in peace, or practice no religion at all. I support a party that endorses Christian values of equality and charity, of respect and dignity, and concern for one’s neighbor. I don’t want a government that tries to be a theocracy - that’s not possible, nor does it respect the dignity of all the atheists and non-Christians in the country who have other beliefs. I’ve not heard the democratic party mock God. I have, however, heard many Republican politicians make a mockery _of_ God, which is much worse. The religious right has done more to damage God’s standing in this country than the democrats could ever hope to. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2016, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/206 "2016-02-01T04:00:47Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > I am an a Republican. In post #140 you said you aren’t a Republican. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/207 "2016-02-01T04:11:30Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > In post #140 you said you aren’t a Republican. Huh. That was a typo. I am not partisan. I look at both sides. I voted for different parties in elections past. I am not a partisan. Period. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2016, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/208 "2016-02-01T04:13:25Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > That was a typo. I am not partisan. I look at both sides. I voted for different parties in elections past. I am not a partisan. Period. Non-partisan that thinks one party is full of leeches that will leave Christian soldiers to die in battle? Lets just say I’m skeptical. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/209 "2016-02-01T04:16:29Z")
> **[U.S. military ‘hostile’ to Christians under Obama; morale, retention devastated](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/us-military-losing-christians-because-of-hostile-c/)** > > Christians are leaving the U.S. military or are discouraged from joining in the first place because of a “hostile work environment” that doesn’t let them express their beliefs openly, religious freedom advocates say. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/210 "2016-02-01T04:17:36Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > What I am trying to say, some members of The Democratic Party have been hostile to God. Let’s just stop things right there until you give us specific examples of what you are talking about. And tell us, exactly, how many Democrats are “anti-God” so that you can feel justified in claiming that is representative of the entire party. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/211 "2016-02-01T04:21:31Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Non-partisan that thinks one party is full of leeches that will leave Christian soldiers to die in battle? Lets just say I’m skeptical. I have voted for Democrats, I am not a partisan. I investigate both sides. I am objective. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/212 "2016-02-01T04:24:25Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Let’s just stop things right there until you give us specific examples of what you are talking about. And tell us, exactly, how many Democrats are “anti-God” so that you can feel justified in claiming that is representative of the entire party. > **[Dems Quickly Switch to Include "God," "Jerusalem"](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/democrats-rapidly-revise-platform-include-god/story?id=17164108)** > > As the Democratic Party revised its platform Wednesday to include "God" and "Jerusalem," the convention hall erupted in boos. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5FG6iNe_3rs/hqdefault.jpg "Was Jesus God? Bill Maher's answer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FG6iNe_3rs) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/213 "2016-02-01T04:27:26Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/us-military-losing-christians-because-of-hostile-c/?page=all](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/us-military-losing-christians-because-of-hostile-c/?page=all) I thought it was your “friends” who had expressed this concern to you. Are you now saying that is not, in fact, your “friends” who hold this view and that it is your view based on that article? But even still, what a bunch of garbage that article is. Can you quote the part that says people are actually leaving the military or not joining? Because the only things even remotely related in that article use weasel wording like (emphasis added): > [@](#): > > Christians are leaving the U.S. military or are discouraged from joining in the first place because of a “hostile work environment” that doesn’t let them express their beliefs openly, religious freedom advocates say. > > \ > > “People of faith are going to stay away from the military,” said Mr. Berry in an interview with The Washington Times. > > \ > > Mr. Berry said he thinks the “hostile work environment” that is forcing the most religious persons out of the military is only getting worse Not one actual fact about how many people are leaving or not joining, just some biased observer with an opinion. And not one mention of how Democrats are involved in this, other than some vague reference to Obama as if he were directing the day-to-day decision making of mid level officers in the military. So, again. which specific Democrats are you talking about and what specific actions are they taking? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/214 "2016-02-01T04:28:34Z")
[quote=“GloryDays, post:212, topic:744770”] > **[Dems Quickly Switch to Include "God," "Jerusalem"](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/democrats-rapidly-revise-platform-include-god/story?id=17164108)** > > As the Democratic Party revised its platform Wednesday to include "God" and "Jerusalem," the convention hall erupted in boos. [/QUOTE] I’m not going to read your stupid links anymore. See my post, above. Quote the parts you think support your argument. Anyone can post a bunch of random links. And answer my direct question: Is it your “friends” who hold these beliefs or is it _you_??? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/215 "2016-02-01T04:28:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by GloryDays > What I am trying to say, some members of The Democratic Party have been hostile to God. I’m hostile to the idea that there are gods. I’m a democrat. I guess you’re right. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2016, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/216 "2016-02-01T04:30:46Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/us-military-losing-christians-because-of-hostile-c/?page=all](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/us-military-losing-christians-because-of-hostile-c/?page=all) > [@](#): > > Christians are leaving the U.S. military or are discouraged from joining in the first place because of a “hostile work environment” that doesn’t let them express their beliefs openly, religious freedom advocates say. Translation: I’m not allowed to harrass my fellow soldiers with demands they follow my version of Christianity. > [@](#): > > In December, a chaplain for a Ranger training battalion received an administrative letter of concern after a soldier complained that he advocated Christianity and used the Bible during a mandatory unit suicide-prevention training session. A military chaplain ministers to all faiths and shouldn’t be forcing a specific one on a service member ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/217 "2016-02-01T04:38:05Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/us-military-losing-christians-because-of-hostile-c/?page=all](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/us-military-losing-christians-because-of-hostile-c/?page=all) > [@](#): > > In December, a chaplain for a Ranger training battalion received an administrative letter of concern after a soldier complained that he advocated Christianity and used the Bible during a mandatory unit suicide-prevention training session. The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers said the chaplain “used his official position to force his personal religious beliefs on a captive military audience” in an article the group posted on its website. > > And, last month, a Navy chaplain was removed from his post and may lose his career after some sailors complained about his private counseling, in which he reportedly advocated against homosexuality and sex outside of marriage. They got what they deserved. They were pushing their religious views on captive audiences. > [@](#): > > “I can’t tell you how many moms and dads I’ve spoken to who say, ‘My son or daughter wants to join the military, [but] in light of what you’ve described, I’m not sure I want to let them join the military anymore,’ and I don’t blame them. I would have serious reservations about my own kids joining,” Mr. Berry said. So in other words, this guy is expressing a “sky is falling” opinion, and based upon his hyperbole, people are believing what he’s saying and so they are telling him they don’t want their kids in the military, and it’s the military’s fault? ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/218 "2016-02-01T04:47:04Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I thought it was your “friends” who had expressed this concern to you. Are you now saying that is not, in fact, your “friends” who hold this view and that it is your view based on that article? > > But even still, what a bunch of garbage that article is. Can you quote the part that says people are actually leaving the military or not joining? Because the only things even remotely related in that article use weasel wording like (emphasis added): > > Not one actual fact about how many people are leaving or not joining, just some biased observer with an opinion. > And not one mention of how Democrats are involved in this, other than some vague reference to Obama as if he were directing the day-to-day decision making of mid level officers in the military. > > So, again. which specific Democrats are you talking about and what specific actions are they taking? John, I have heard Bill Maher say some rough things about God. Just like how some folks see Limbaugh as the GOP’s "face’, Maher is seen as the Democrats’ “face”. I honor your opinions, John, and let’s continue to have a good discussion about the future of the country in the next days, weeks, months, and years. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/219 "2016-02-01T04:49:31Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Because they are on the edge of snapping, and everyone in America’s viewpoint should be listened to before it’s too late. But what if they’re stupid? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/220 "2016-02-01T04:54:04Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > John, I have heard Bill Maher say some rough things about God. Just like how some folks see Limbaugh as the GOP’s "face’, Maher is seen as the Democrats’ “face”. I’m sure some see Maher that way. On the other hand, you may recall that Republican politicians repudiating Limbaugh a few years ago were rapidly forced to retract their statements. Bill Maher’s opinion carries no such weight, and many Democrats and other lefties consider him to be an asshole (myself included). There’s very little equivalence if any. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/221 "2016-02-01T04:59:06Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > What I am trying to say, some members of The Democratic Party have been hostile to God. It is not something that is good for democracy. I am an a Republican. I have voted for both parties. I’m worried about the country. I’m worried about Christian churches. I am worried about Christian soldiers in the military being attacked or left behind in combat. I am not a 6 year old. I am very bright. I know a lot about American politics. I want an honorable and proud America here at home and abroad. I asked some specific questions in post #193, in which I presented evidence that many of your stated beliefs (or those of your “friends”, that you’re presenting here on their behalf for some reason) are just flat-out wrong. You didn’t respond to a single one of them, you just posted the above generic rambling. Posters have asked you further questions in #197, 198, 199, 200, and 202. No response. So you want “an honorable and proud America here at home and abroad”. How nice for you. So does everyone. But it’s hard to shake the suspicion that what you really want is an America that looks like it just stepped out of a 1950s sitcom, in which anyone who doesn’t look exactly like you and think exactly like you and worships the correct Christian Lord every Sunday should either be deported or imprisoned or at the very least deprived of their civil liberties. That was never the basis for the founding of the country you live in and claim to advocate for nor is it the charitable interpretation of the Christianity that you claim to advocate for. You have no case. You have no answers. All you seem to have are “friends” with hateful and bigoted views that you seem to agree with. > [@GloryDays](#): > > I have voted for Democrats, I am not a partisan. I investigate both sides. I am objective. Sorry, but no one who cites the _Washington Times_ for anything has any right to claim to be “non-partisan” and hope to retain any credibility. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770.md?page=10) [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=12)