The DNC Comes Out Of The Closet

On August 24, the Democratic National Committee approved the following:

Resolution Regarding the Religiously Unaffiliated Demographic

 WHEREAS, the religiously unaffiliated demographic has tripled in the last two decades, now representing 25% of the overall American population and 35% of those under the age of 30; and


WHEREAS, religiously unaffiliated Americans overwhelmingly share the Democratic Party’s values, with 70% voting for Democrats in 2018, 80% supporting same-sex marriage, and 61% saying immigrants make American society stronger; and

WHEREAS, the religiously unaffiliated demographic represents the largest religious group within the Democratic Party, growing from 19% in 2007 to one in three today; and

 WHEREAS, the nonreligious have often been subjected to unfair bias and exclusion in American society, particularly in the areas of politics and policymaking where assumptions of religiosity have long predominated; and

WHEREAS, those most loudly claiming that morals, values, and patriotism must be defined by their particular religious views have used those religious views, with misplaced claims of "religious liberty," to justify public policy that has threatened the civil rights and liberties of many Americans, including but not limited to the LGBT community, women, and ethnic and religious/nonreligious minorities; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party is an inclusive organization that recognizes that morals, values, and patriotism are not unique to any particular religion, and are not necessarily reliant on having a religious worldview at all; and


WHEREAS, nonreligious Americans made up 17% of the electorate in 2018 and have the potential to deliver millions more votes for Democrats in 2020 with targeted outreach to further increase turnout of nonreligious voters; and

WHEREAS, a record number of openly nonreligious candidates are running for public office;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE recognizes:

1. The value, ethical soundness, and importance of the religiously unaffiliated demographic, a group of Americans who contribute in innumerable ways to the arts, sciences, medicine, business, law, the military, their communities, the success of the Party and prosperity of the Nation; and

2. That religiously unaffiliated Americans are a group that, as much as any other, advocates for rational public policy based on sound science and universal humanistic values and should be represented, included, and heard by the Party.

A key section of this reads:

WHEREAS, religiously unaffiliated Americans overwhelmingly share the Democratic Party’s values, with 70% voting for Democrats in 2018, 80% supporting same-sex marriage, and 61% saying immigrants make American society stronger; and

WHEREAS, the religiously unaffiliated demographic represents the largest religious group within the Democratic Party, growing from 19% in 2007 to one in three today ..."

So, the people who don't follow a particular religion - dare we day, the nonreligious? - share Democratic "values" when it comes to same-sex marriage, and, though not specifically named, it is clear that abortion on demand is part of this. It's easy to think of other issues that go against traditional religious values that the Democratic Party and their nonreligious allies embrace. And the Party is also admitting the nonaffiliated are the largest "religious" group in the Party.

Meanwhile, the resolution goes on to attack those who base their positions on various issues on their religious beliefs. Now it is true that there are those who "use" religion to justify their positions, positions that are sometimes wrong-headed or unacceptable. But the way this is worded, those who sincerely bases their positions on their religious beliefs are lumped together into one "disreputable" group. Among the "deplorables," perhaps? People who cling to their Bibles? Those whose "dogma speaks loudly?" Members of the Knights of Columbus?

It's no wonder so many Democratic candidates attack and mock people who are religious, and support laws that assail traditional beliefs.

Looks like the DNC is coming out of the closet - or maybe the confessional?

Pax et bonum