Reply #61: Just in case the US News is trying to play us

[LittleClarkie]

by dividing us, I found an article from Christianity Today from Feb, 2005 that might put his quotes more in context.

Even so, I think he's reading Dean wrong. Over at DailyKos, I and others were accused of taking a couple of quotes and deciding that Wallis was slamming Dean just based on that.

I would submit that Wallis is doing just that TO Dean in that, even before he's had a chance to meet him, he's taking a couple of Dean's quotes and deciding that he can assume something about Dean that isn't necessarily true.

There is also talk on my Kos thread that Dean sounds somewhat fake when he talks about religion. Well, that doesn't mean Dean isn't being genuine. It may just mean he's unaccustomed to speaking about such thing in public. Bush can sound quite sincere, and yet many of us doubt his faith is real.

If Dean is being himself, wouldn't the fakery come more from NOT being himself, ie not bringing up these things if he wants to?

Anyway, here's the article I found. Let's see if it sheds any more light.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/106/54.0.html

Jim Wallis, convener of Call to Renewal, has been calling on Christians to see political involvement beyond the perennial issues of abortion and gay rights. Wallis, a registered Democrat, is an evangelical leader in the faith-based Left and a frequent critic of George W. Bush. His profile has been raised as national Democrats have started to talk to him about how they can better reach out to values voters in the wake of Republican victories on November 2. The Democratic National Committee is meeting today in Washington to plot strategy. Wallis's new book, God's Politics, is on the New York Times bestseller list. Wallis spoke with Stan Guthrie, CT's senior associate news editor.

It appears that Howard Dean will be the new head of the DNC. Is he someone you can support, given his evident lack of familiarity with evangelical issues?

Well, I don't get involved in supporting candidates for the DNC, one way or the other. I work with whoever's there. I've got meetings on the Hill with Democrats and Republicans, at their instigation. I'll go and talk to them. So, if Dean's there I'll work with him.

Regarding Dean, I've said time and time again, the worst thing anyone can be is inauthentic when they talk about religion or faith. So if Democrats are people of faith they should speak as such. If they're not, they shouldn't. Same with Republicans. Some are and some aren't. So, Howard Dean shouldn't make the mistake again of saying his favorite book in the New Testament is Job. And if he's not religious, he should say, "I'm not very religious, but I respect those in the Democratic Party who are." And their concerns should be taken seriously.

(more at link)