Howard Dean discusses Democrats’ newfound zeal for religion
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Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

Denver, Colo., Aug 30, 2008 / 02:32 am (CNA).- Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, made an unscheduled appearance on Thursday at the Faith in Action Forum at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. There he explained what motivated the Democratic Party to increase its displays of religiosity and to involve “people of faith.”

Referring to his own northeastern background as former Governor of Vermont, Dean said people from New England know “it’s hard to talk about religion.”

Though the party once acted as if “we mustn’t talk about religion,” he added: “I think we’ve made a lot of progress for the last couple of years… I am thrilled to be in a party that no longer cedes the faith community to the Republican Party.”

He said the idea that one is “called” to do something is “very powerful” among “people of faith,” explaining that people in the Democratic Party “don’t believe you have to change your values to cater to people of faith.”

“Faith is faith,” he exclaimed. “Faith in God is something that is common to human beings.”

He was quick to acknowledge that secular people in the Democratic Party “still have values.”

Dean suggested that the diversity of the Democratic Party is one reason it does not address faith in the same way as Republicans, whom he accused of talking about a “mono-religious country.”

“In this party, we have other values that matter to us. We talk about respecting everybody’s faith,” he asserted.

“Jews and Muslims matter a lot in our party.”

He also said that all religions could overcome their differences to support a broader American vision.

“It’s a universal country,” he claimed.

Just because Democrats “speak differently,” Dean argued, “doesn’t mean it’s less important. It matters how you live, not necessarily what you say every Sunday.”

Before leaving, he encouraged the Faith in Action audience to engage in voter turnout efforts.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo, C.S.J.
Bronx, NY 09/01/2008 06:55 PM EST
Gov. Dean,
The country needs a broad and robust conversation about "faith in action," that is, the meaning of the phrase in our Declaration of Independence, the self-evident and inalienable right to life. This precedes the right to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
One's happiness may not infringe on one's liberty. And the right to liberty and freedom may not infringe upon the right to life. We need to acknowledge the truth of this declaration.
This is the conversation the country needs to have. Out of our diversity emerges oneness, i.e., e pluribus, unum.
Then, what to do about this truth.
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Published by: Bill Donahue
Danville, Il./ USA 08/31/2008 12:23 AM EST
Religion or faith is not a garment to be worn for effect. The Democrats effort at a token nod to religion does not work. The failure to recognize the value of life in the womb is a tragic failure. Rather than a triumph, the Democratic approach is little more than smoke and mirrors. I hope that religious group do indeed get out the vote.
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Published by: concerned catholic
Newport, NH USA 08/30/2008 02:43 PM EST
You don't have to "change your values to cater to people of faith"? The Democratic platform states full support of Roe v. Wade, abortion at any time for any reason. That is not a value consistent with 'people of faith'.
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