Democrats’ religion advisor wants ‘under God’ out of the pledge, CL claims

Boston, Mass., Aug 2, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The Catholic League is claiming that the ordained minister, newly appointed by the Democratic National Committee as the senior advisor of religious outreach, supports the removal of the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance.

DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe announced the appointment of Rev. Brenda Bartella Peterson, ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as the Senior Advisor for Religious Outreach July 23.

McAuliffe said Rev. Peterson’s appointment “reflects the DNC’s commitment to reaching all people of faith.” Her role will include acting as a “liaison to religious organizations.” 

In a press release issued yesterday, Catholic League president William Donohue said the League learned that Rev. Peterson is one of 32 clergy members, who filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of Michael Newdow’s attempt to excise the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. 

“The brief shows infinitely more concern for the sensibilities of atheists like Newdow than it does for the 90 percent of Americans who believe in God,” said Donohue. “And this is the person the Democrats want to dispatch to meet with the heads of religious organizations?” 

This is the second time the DNC has failed in matters of religion and faith, said Donohue. He pointed out that the Kerry campaign first appointed Mara Vanderslice as the director of religious outreach, but when the Catholic League exposed her as a radical leftist who associates with anti-Catholics, the Kerry staff silenced her.

“The selections of Vanderslice and Peterson suggest that either no one bothers to vet candidates for religious outreach, or the elites making the choices are anti-religious,” said Donohue. “If the former is true, then this shows that the Democrats place no priority on appealing to people of faith.  If the latter is true, then Kerry needs to bring in a big broom and clean house.”