# 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:** 12
**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, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/222 "2016-02-01T05:01:21Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > John, I have heard Bill Maher say some rough things about God. He’s an atheist. How can you say “rough things” about something you think is not real? > [@](#): > > Just like how some folks see Limbaugh as the GOP’s "face’, Maher is seen as the Democrats’ “face”. Who says that about Maher? He skewers the Democrats and liberal quite frequently on his show. His show is famous for having at least as many conservatives and Republicans on as he has liberals and Democrats. And he makes lots of Democrats uneasy with his views about Islam, as a religion. So, which Democratic politicians are you talking about who are anti-God, and why? I’m still waiting for you to answer the simple question that I and others ahem asked you: Are you expressing your own views or those of your “friends”? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/223 "2016-02-01T05:05:00Z")
> [@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 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. You know what? If God exists as Christians believe (a hypothesis I have seen no evidence for), he’s a big boy and can stand a little criticism from Bill Maher. If he can’t…well, your god isn’t much of a god, is he? You can’t have it both ways. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/224 "2016-02-01T05:29:38Z")
[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] The first link simply shows you confuse removing a reference to God from the platform with being anti-God. Religion neutral is not the same as being anti-religion. NOT. THE. SAME. The second link is a clip from Bill Maher. He isn’t representitive of Democrats. In fact, I doubt he would be happy being considered a Democrat. So yet again, FAIL. ---
**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, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/225 "2016-02-01T05:57:02Z")
> [@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) OK. An extreme right wing newspaper publishes an article based on the claims of an advocacy group for the Religious Right with no other source of information and you just accepted that? The problem has not been that the military has been interfering with the practice of religion. The problem has been that for too long, commanding officers in the military tolerated the inappropriate religious behavior of some Fundamentalist Christians and now that there has been a slight push-back from people who did not want to be subjected to that sort of behavior, the Fundamentalists are crying that they are no longer allowed to abuse their positions of authority. While your article claims that the chaplains were disciplined for expressing their religious views during sessions of personal counselling, the reality is that they were pushing the beliefs of their particular Fundamentalist denominations in public presentations. The second case was brought because of a personnel conflict with an assistant and the Navy has dismissed the charges and returned him to duty in good standing. Cite one incident in which a combat soldier was denied help because he was Christian. ---
**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, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/226 "2016-02-01T06:08:30Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > OK. > An extreme right wing newspaper publishes an article based on the claims of an advocacy group for the Religious Right with no other source of information and you just accepted that? No no no. The OP is not accepting that. His “friends” are accepting it. Friends who might snap and become violent and so must be respected. ---
**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, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/227 "2016-02-01T08:55:45Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > No no no. The OP is not accepting that. His “friends” are accepting it. Friends who might snap and become violent and so must be respected. Wouldn’t that be giving into terrorists? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/228 "2016-02-01T09:05:50Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > That’s what every American should want. > [@GloryDays](#): > > You want a Godless country, that’s what you want? Since God doesn’t exist, we _HAVE_ a Godless country; what anybody wants doesn’t enter into it. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/229 "2016-02-01T09:17:33Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Why are they in the U.S. then? Why? Why don’t they stand up to radical Jihadists? What can an ordinary Muslim do differently from any other person? Why imagine that some sort of protest from a Muslim (of which there are plenty of examples) has any effect on potential terrorists? It’s a world in which you choose your own teachers to follow and communities to join. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/230 "2016-02-01T10:12:18Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > My friends are in pain. It’s turning violent as well for them. They love America, but they want changes. Fast. Your friends sound like nasty privileged bigots with no clue about reality. You should find friends who aren’t clueless reactionary douchebags. Seriously, why are you friends with these people? They sound like the worst kind of jackass. > [@GloryDays](#): > > I just don’t like people mocking, disparaging, dehumanizing God, like Bernie Sanders Wait, what? When did Bernie Sanders mock and disparage god? If you’re going to make claims like this, you need to back them up with citations. > [@GloryDays](#): > > I am worried about Christian soldiers in the military being attacked or left behind in combat. And I’m worried about gay or Atheist soldiers being marginalized and abused by Christians. You know what the difference between my fear and yours is? [Mine](http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/07/08/atheist.soldier/) [is](http://theweek.com/articles/461428/military-problem-atheists) [real](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/15/opinion/discrimination-in-the-military.html). > [@](#): > > I know a lot about American politics. Cite? :dubious: > [@GloryDays](#): > > [Dems Quickly Switch to Include "God," "Jerusalem" - ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/democrats-rapidly-revise-platform-include-god/story?id=17164108) What in here is “anti-god”? The democratic party removed god from their platform, opting instead to have no mention of it. This is not anti-god. Being secular and neutral on the issue is not the same as hating or mocking god. > [@](#): > Bill Maher claims to be an independent. He in no way speaks for the democratic party and has no significant influence therein. He’s also kind of an idiot. > [@GloryDays](#): > > Maher is seen as the Democrats’ “face”. _According to who_? I mean, if you wanted to talk about Democrats who were atheists, you could have brought up an actual democrat politician, Barney Frank, but even he isn’t “anti-god” in the way you seem to imply. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/231 "2016-02-01T12:31:48Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > It’s not true that all democrats hate god. But it is true, I think, that most militant atheists are going to be democrats. IME, most of the really loud ones are actually Libertarians. And really, really loud about _that_, too. (Maher, FTR, calls himself a small-l libertarian.) ---
**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, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/232 "2016-02-01T13:05:25Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Since God doesn’t exist, we _HAVE_ a Godless country; what anybody wants doesn’t enter into it. Right, because that’s what we were talking about… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/233 "2016-02-01T13:24:22Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > My friends are in pain. It’s turning violent as well for them. Not unless they are suffering or committing violence, it isn’t. > [@GloryDays](#): > > They love America, but they want changes. Fast. And they’re going to get changes. That is what is causing them pain. ---
**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, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/234 "2016-02-01T13:30:39Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Right, because that’s what we were talking about… It’s my understanding the OP is lamenting the U.S. is becoming more “anti-God”, or at least the Democratic Party is leaning that way. It’s fair game to ask him to prove this is a problem, including demonstrating that God exists in the first place. ---
**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, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/235 "2016-02-01T14:33:44Z")
Removing the word “God-given” from the party platform is NOT “anti-God.” It’s being sensitive to the millions of American citizens who don’t believe that God exists and has absolutely no impact on the party platform. It’s just a word, in that context. OTOH, trying to repeal a law that provides healthcare to millions of impoverished people because it causes the wealthy to pay a little more IS “anti-God.” Denying equal protection and civil rights to people because of their gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity IS “anti-God.” Denying women access to legal reproductive care is “anti-God.” Promising to lock people up without due process or legal representation and to torture them until they talk is “anti-God.” Promising to bomb other countries until the desert is glass is “anti-God.” Falsely representing atheists, Muslims or any other group as evil, lazy, unethical or any other stereotype is “anti-God.” You know what is pro-God? A society that cares for widows and orphans - people who have no one taking care of them. A society that embraces and protects those on the margins - the poor, the minorities, the foreigners among us. One that treats all people, even those we disagree with, with dignity and respect. My bible tells me that those are pro-God positions, whether God’s name is invoked with them or not. So to me it’s really quite clear which party is anti-God, and it’s not the one you’re accusing. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/236 "2016-02-01T14:51:54Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > You know what is pro-God? A society that cares for widows and orphans - people who have no one taking care of them. A society that embraces and protects those on the margins - the poor, the minorities, the foreigners among us. One that treats all people, even those we disagree with, with dignity and respect. My bible tells me that those are pro-God positions, whether God’s name is invoked with them or not. QFT. ---
**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, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/237 "2016-02-01T15:44:00Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > It’s my understanding the OP is lamenting the U.S. is becoming more “anti-God”, or at least the Democratic Party is leaning that way. It’s fair game to ask him to prove this is a problem, including demonstrating that God exists in the first place. No, the actual existence of god is 100% irrelevant. Nobody is talking about keeping an actual god out of the US as if that would be possible if god did exist. What is being talked about is using the belief in god in policy and society or marginalizing the same. Lets assume god doesn’t exist, and that’s something I agree with. If the debate was about keeping an actual god out of, say, public schools, then secularists wouldn’t have any problem with religious indoctrination. “They’re not actually affecting anything because god isn’t actually real” is clearly false. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/238 "2016-02-01T17:05:10Z")
> [@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) Here’s a question for you and your friends. A member of my church is a proud veteran. She’s also a lesbian. Is it right that if she had gone to her chaplain for counseling on some issue, the chaplain should be able to berate her for being a lesbian, even though she’s also a Christian? Does that mean the chaplain would have the right to judge that she’s not a Christian or the wrong type of Christian? Also, please ask your friends to think carefully before they answer because this woman is extraordinarily fit and could probably take out two or three people if provoked. And according to your Washington Times article, 26 chaplains are Jewish. Doesn’t that make them by definition antithetical to Christian beliefs? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/239 "2016-02-01T17:40:23Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > I’m worried about Christian churches. > > \ > > I am very bright. I know a lot about American politics. Only one of these sets of opinions can be true, since you could not possibly be “worried about Christian churches” (or at least not worried about any external threat) if you knew anything about US politics. Paying lip service to Christianity is a _sine qua non_ of American campaigning. By the way, when did you find time to change your party affiliation yesterday? > [@GloryDays](#): > > I am an a Republican. > [@GloryDays](#): > > I am an independent, but I am a Christian as well. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/240 "2016-02-01T18:03:30Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Christian churches are not under attack in this country. One worry you can set aside. Christian churches (indeed all churches), Christianity and Christians have often been unfairly favored by our government. Some would like to remove that favored status and treat everyone equally under the law. Those who stand to lose that favored status consider such actions “attacks.” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/241 "2016-02-01T18:39:16Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Since God doesn’t exist, we _HAVE_ a Godless country; what anybody wants doesn’t enter into it. > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Right, because that’s what we were talking about… Hey, it was on point to the post I was responding to. 😛 [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=11) [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=13)