Liberal Christians and the Values Vote

An interesting article in the Washington Post discusses that liberal Christians view moral issues as more than abortion and gay marriage. Furthermore, on the issue of gay marriage, a full 56 percent of all Christians think that infidelity and financial problems are the greatest threats to heterosexual marriages. Only 22 percent chose same sex marriage.

"Tom Perriello, an organizer at Res Publica, said the poll shows that "while there may be a "solid 20 percent who are very focused on abortion and gay marriage, for most Americans of faith, there are other moral issues of greater urgency, and that's where the religious middle is."



"The answer to this "God gap," Perriello said, "is that progressives need to embrace the deep moral critique that people are looking for and make that case on poverty and Iraq, and not just try to talk more about God or outpace the Republicans on gay marriage or abortion."

This is just more evidence that we Democrats need to take back our issues and frame the national conversations around them in the context of morality. Most democrats like to keep their faith private. Primarily because we believe in the separation of church and state, but also because we know that separation protects our own right to worship freely. And although most are not willing to announce it publicly, the driving force behind ou values is the same as anyone else, deeply rooted in our religious faith.

And while I think we need to remind the American public that our liberal, democratic values are rooted in our religious faith, I think its necessary that we remember God's warning to those who proudly wear their faith on their sleeve as a badge of moral superiority lest we become what we have so asidously avoided, self-righteous.


Matthw 6:1-8
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen by them: otherwise ye have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Therefore, when thou doest [thy] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Verily, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thy alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself will reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Verily, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret, will reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Therefore be ye not like them: for your Father knoweth what things ye need before ye ask him.