Wednesday, April 11, 2007

The Democratic Party and Christianity, Again

Why is it that the Democratic leadership refuses to accord the respect to Christianity that it accords to other religions?

Here is Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean's Easter message:
“Easter Sunday is a joyful celebration. The holiday represents peace, redemption and renewal, a theme which brings hope to people of all faiths. During this time Christians are called to remember who they are as people of faith, and that even the greatest of evils will not have the last word. It is also a time to reflect upon and be in solidarity with those who are persecuted and suffering among us. We should also use this time to honor those who continue to make incredible sacrifices for us, including our brave men and women in the armed forces serving overseas during this holiday. I would like to wish all those celebrating around the world this Sunday, a joyous Easter.”
What's missing? Any reference to the resurrection of Jesus the Christ, the whole point of the Easter celebration. Contrast this with the statement Howard Dean released for Passover:
"At sundown tonight, Jews around the world will begin celebrating Passover, a holiday that symbolizes the true blessing of freedom. For the next week the enslavement of the Jewish people in Egypt, their persecution and suffering and their eventual redemption will be remembered."
A little different, no? And they wonder why Christians flock to Republicans, in spite of policies that (to put it mildly) frequently deviate from Christian principles.... Will they ever learn?

(Tip: Andrew Sullivan).

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

And they wonder why Christians flock to Republicans, in spite of policies that (to put it mildly) frequently deviate from Christian principles.... Will they ever learn?

Is the irony intentional?

Let's see. Legions of Christians feel slighted and leave the Democratic party in a huff because Governor Dean fails to explicitly mention the resurrection of Jesus in his Easter message. And this is supposed to be yet another sign of the Democratic party's hostility towards Christianity.

This all seems so petty and beneath what Christians are supposed to be all about.

Morning's Minion said...

The ommission itself is not the issue, but a mere symbol of a larger issue. Why such discomfort with Christianity? Don't you think that this will play out in how Howard Dean relates to Catholic voters?

Anonymous said...

Why such discomfort with Christianity?

When Governor Dean says:

"...Christians are called to remember who they are as people of faith, and that even the greatest of evils will not have the last word."

From that, I find it hard To conclude there's some sort of discomfort, as you put it. To do so, requires mindreading skills I don't have. In my opinion, the statement was quite gracious, especially in its references to those serving in harms way.

If one interprets every utterance based on the speaker's presupposed disdain for Christianity, I imagine there's no end to the slights and insults one might perceive.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Antonio M. I thought the message was appropriate. Expressing a more flowery religiosity would appear to be pandering--especially coming from the Democrats (unfortunately).

Anonymous said...

Just think, Minion, if you devoted the energy to cleaning up your party so it'd be a thing Christians could endorse that you devote to attacking the other party, what a great country this could be.

In that light, it's your fault that democrats are anti-human and anti-human republicans enjoy so much support.

I always wondered who to blame for the sorry state of my nation.

Anonymous said...

I always wondered who to blame for the sorry state of my nation.

Hmmm . . maybe you could start here?

6 years of Bush-Cheney
4 years of a Republican rubber stamp Congress

Anonymous said...

Heck, you've got to go back decades before that, darling. Almost centuries.

I'm the anti-American you guys are always accused of being.