Christian Democrats

Take action by   Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Greetings,

With the much-publicized alignment of the Christian Conservatives and the Republican Party we can once again be amazed at the divisive framing strategies of the GOP. They can take a ministry full of love and hope for all and turn it into the most hard-lined wedge issue that a person of Christian faith finds hard to look away from.  I sense a backlash to the Religious Right, and hope it to be significant as I strongly disagree with their interpretation and use of Scripture.

If the Democratic Party is to win the next elections we must engage Republican and independent Christian voters on their own terms.  We must not assume that all Christians follow the GOP line, or are totally sold on the alignment that the GOP wants to believe is in place.  By speaking to these Christians in terms they hold dear, namely the Bible and the teachings of  Jesus Christ, they may take a revised understanding to heart, followed sometime later by taking it to the voting booth.  In 2004 about 2/3 of Christians bought the GOP line and 1/3 of Christians understood that the Democratic party aligned with their faith more successfully.  I would like to be a part of increasing the Democratic Party vote among Christians in 2008.

Christ loves everyone equally.  Being Christian has nothing to do with any political party; it is in one’s interpretation of Christ’s teachings that one may be swayed to one party or the other.  It is important to realize that faith may drive a political choice, but political choice will less likely decide faith.

I have created a blog to share my thinking in depth, open to all for posting comments, and hopeful of a creative discussion towards a better America and a better world.  The main theme is an acceptance between Christians, other faiths, and those of no faith as well as some ground rules towards that future.  It can be found at:  http://ChristianDemocrat.us.  My best call to all is titled "Faithful or Not, Here We Come. Together" and can be found on the blog.

I would greatly appreciate any contact, comments, links, or other
spreading of this information as relates to my stated intent.

with Thanks,

Rich Hall
Christian Democrat