For a generation the Democratic Party and most liberals have struggled to find their footing as well as their voice in response to the religious right. Sometimes they ducked. Sometimes they pandered. Sometimes they called "them" stupid names, like "religious political extremists."
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) seems to have broken some new ground in finding his footing and finding his voice in challenging the religious right.
His appearance at the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has made headlines and no doubt will be discussed around the country and here at Talk to Action.
Meanwhile, Chuck Currie has the prepared text of the speech -- with a link to the video. Here is the money quote:
But somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked. Part of it's because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us. At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their Church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage; school prayer and intelligent design. There was even a time when the Christian Coalition determined that its number one legislative priority was tax cuts for the rich. I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version.
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