# 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:** 13
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/242 "2016-02-01T18:43:24Z")
> [@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. Mere repetition does not make something true. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/243 "2016-02-01T19:25:31Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > 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. Spot on. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/244 "2016-02-01T19:28:12Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > 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. See also an evangelical’s reaction to Bernie Sanders: > **[Daily Kos](https://www.dailykos.com)** > > Daily Kos is a progressive news site that fights for democracy by giving our audience information and resources to win elections and impact government. Our coverage is assiduously factual, ethical, and unapologetically liberal. We amplify what we... ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/245 "2016-02-01T19:50:04Z")
What we need to do as Democrats is be anti-god, but find a way to trick the evangelicals to voting for us. Anti-god is what everyone should be, but its still nice to have votes. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/246 "2016-02-01T19:55:26Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > 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. Preach. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/247 "2016-02-01T20:29:32Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > Some [Americans] feel that they will push lesbian and gay politicians like Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) to run for president, vice president, etc. Some Americans do not like that. They don’t want to be hearing about these people. > [@GloryDays](#): > > I understand that. However, they don’t want to be near them. That needs to be respected as well. “These people” you don’t want to hear about or be near are your sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and family. You don’t have a choice but to be near them, because they are yours. Pretending that they are some kind of ‘other’ who aren’t already sitting at the dinner table with you is not really a reasonable position to take. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/248 "2016-02-01T20:50:18Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > What I am trying to say, Dr. Drake, is that some Americans, feel that the Obama Democratic Party is pushing gay marriage on the country, and in schools. Some people are not a fan of it. Some feel that they will push lesbian and gay politicians like Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) to run for president, vice president, etc. Some Americans do not like that. They don’t want to be hearing about these people. So, you’re saying that your “friends” think that religious leaders should have veto power over who is allowed to run for office??? Maybe they should move to Iran. ---
**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, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/249 "2016-02-01T21:17:12Z")
> [@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. Why not? You do know, do you not, that democracy is several centuries older than Christianity? ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/250 "2016-02-01T21:45:07Z")
[Tangentially related.](http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-rise-of-the-god-gap/) This article says that the religiously unaffiliated now constitute the largest religious group among Democrats. Evangelical Protestants are, unsurprisingly, the largest group among Republicans. However, 71% of Democrats do identify as religious, as against 86% of Republicans. So, although secularists may be a bit more at home with the Democrats, they are (a) present and (b) small minorities within both parties. ---
**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, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/251 "2016-02-01T22:29:15Z")
I think the large number of Hispanics who are Catholics and Democrats would be shocked to hear that the Democrats are anti-God. Not to mention the Baptist blacks. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/252 "2016-02-01T22:38:39Z")
The only American group I can think of that’s anti-God are the so called new atheists, but they’re fairly recent and not part of mainstream politics. I think of them as a mostly internet thing, usually among nerdier, insular white male communities. And a lot of them seem fairly reactionary. As for reversing the stereotype, one way would be a revitalization of liberal churches. What the right has done with mega churches is wild stuff. Explicitly religious liberal presidential candidates could work too. It would be amusing to see a bombastic leftist preacher denounce a conservative pol as a heretic or Christian in name only or worshipping Mammon or something. Or you know, actually quote Jesus at them. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/253 "2016-02-01T22:40:51Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Explicitly religious liberal presidential candidates could work too. Well, Obama kind of tried, but he had the right saying he was a secret Muslim and the left saying he was a secret atheist… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/254 "2016-02-01T23:04:53Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Well, Obama kind of tried, but he had the right saying he was a secret Muslim and the left saying he was a secret atheist… 😉 His problem was he was running for president while black. If there’s anything that’s comparable to the GOP base’s ridiculous hate of other religions, its other races ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/255 "2016-02-02T01:57:52Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > What I am trying to say, Dr. Drake, is that some Americans, feel that the Obama Democratic Party is pushing gay marriage on the country, and in schools. Some people are not a fan of it. Some feel that they will push lesbian and gay politicians like Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) to run for president, vice president, etc. Some Americans do not like that. They don’t want to be hearing about these people. Well, that’s just too fucking bad. ---
**Author:** ![GloryDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/256 "2016-02-02T02:05:39Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > Well, that’s just too fucking bad. They’re going to have to appreciate the military, because for too long they have been bashing them and disparaging their service. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/257 "2016-02-02T02:09:34Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > They’re going to have to appreciate the military, because for too long they have been bashing them and disparaging their service. My grandfather served in the military; he was an atheist. My father served in the military; he’s also an atheist. I served in the military; I have no use for Christianity. I’m not aware of any of us ever bashing or disparaging the military. ---
**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 2, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/258 "2016-02-02T02:11:10Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > They’re going to have to appreciate the military, because for too long they have been bashing them and disparaging their service. Wait a second. I thought you started this thread because you were upset that the Democrats were anti-God. Then it was for pushing a gay agenda. Now it’s anti-military. Could you pick ONE reason why Democrats are bad for America so we can discuss it fully? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/259 "2016-02-02T02:12:30Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > They’re going to have to appreciate the military, because for too long they have been bashing them and disparaging their service. What the ever-loving heck does that have to do with that gay people and politicians are here to stay and “your friends” are just going to have to live with it? And criminy, the longest time of high appreciation and deference and respect for the military – at least in words if not deeds – in this country’s history has probably been the last 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/260 "2016-02-02T02:28:49Z")
> [@GloryDays](#): > > They’re going to have to appreciate the military, because for too long they have been bashing them and disparaging their service. Did you serve, **GloryDays**? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770/261 "2016-02-02T02:40:54Z")
I’m another atheist veteran checking in. And I’m far from the only one I know personally. Our OP has demonstrated yet another area where his knowledge of the United States is simply nil. He certainly is acquainted with the imaginary world described in far-right propaganda. But he knows substantially nothing of the country he actually lives in. It would be a cause for pity if he didn’t have 50 million equally misled, incurious, angry and carefully prepared compatriots. [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=12) [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=14)