In five words or less, describe the DEMOCRATIC position on God.

[0rganism]

Can you do it?

edit: caps to emphasize Democratic, cos some of you are wandering off into personal la-la land.

[JI7]

1. separation of church and state

[truthpusher]

Ditto - Plain and simple...no compromise!

[ghostsofgiants]

72. Read my mind.

[ismnotwasm]

83. Another ditto

Should be a no-brainer

[LuminousX]

92. Can't say it better than that.

[LibInternationalist]

99. perfect

[FuzzySlippers]

115. Exactly what I was going to say

when I clicked on this thread. Got here way too late.

[0rganism]

117. And how separate are they, really?

"...One nation, under God,..." in our pledge of allegiance;

"In God We Trust" on our money;

Daily opening prayers in congress and state legislatures;

Textbooks in Kansas that provide apologetics for creationism;

Not even counting all the faith-based fun we've had since 2000.

Is the Democratic position really one of true separation? Would you expect to win an election with that in the platform?

[prayin4rain]

122. You know I wonder about this...

I myself am not even slightly religous. However, I have never had a problem with saying God in different national things. For one, just saying God does not necessarily mean a christian God does it? And I have always just thought of it symbolically. Also, maybe because I am not religous, I don't associate God with church very much. In Jesus(Allah, Buddah, Vishnu) we trust, now that is another story, that brings in the church for me. I don't know, God and church are seperate to me.

[tridim]

2. It's none of our business.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. in seven words: God is God and government is government

[jpgray]

4. Government free of religious bias. (nt)

[Book Lover]

5. Democrats don't have a position on God

Gee, guess I can't; 7 words is as short as I can make it.

[BernieBear]

6. A spiritual power higher than myself

[BernieBear]

7. Belief system giving one meaning and purpose

[bushi]

56. that is one owns position

and is probably right,...zen student...but we dont really now the position of a large "party" on the most difficult of qquestions honeslty waht is the positionn of evolution and monotheism??? theay will not answer as aparty only generalized equilivancies, faith without deed, or something like that is their antithetical position

[BernieBear]

8. That which binds humanity as one

[BernieBear]

9. Infinite source of universal energy

[BernieBear]

10. The glue that binds us

[jpgray]

16. What delivers us from spam.

[underseasurveyor]

44. "Us?"

Ya got a mouse in yer pocket?

[man4allcats]

11. 5 words

God's for church; not government.

[BernieBear]

12. Common consciousness underlying all life

[jbnow]

13. God says "Don't use me!"

[Kahuna]

125. Amen! God hates that crap. Give unto to Caeser what belongs to

Caeser... Give unto God what belongs to God.

[intheflow]

14. None of the State's business.

It's important to note that this position neither defends nor denies God. Religious beliefs are personal to the individual--and this is a ministerial student saying this.

[BernieBear]

21. May not be the states business but we as Democrats must have a

view

Without it we can forget mainstream America. There are fewer people with no belief system then those with a belief system.

There are many words for God. To only view it from a religious sense, negates the spirituality that we all seek, even atheists seek to find common ground with others and in a sense that is the sharing of a common energy which may be called God.

[BernieBear]

22. Divine Consciousness in action

This is a great exercise!!! Thanks!!!! Bernie Bear

[intheflow]

34. "The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao."

That's the first line of the Tao Te Ching. The same is true of God--once you try to define God, you have put mortal limits on God. You have squeezed God into a box, which is what most Democrats feel RW Christians do and then try to impose it on us. We on the left will never be able to explain our view of God to the religious right because most of us on the left who believe in God see a God of subtlety and nuance, where I think the right only sees God in black and white terms.

Yes, most people believe in God (or a higher power, or whatever), but it doesn't follow that it's somehow UnAmerican to want to keep your own God private. The first words out of the Bill of Rights is that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Ergo, neither the government nor the masses have any right to interfere with how a person practices (or proclaims, or choses not to practice or proclaim) their religion. Separation of church and state, end of story.

[BernieBear]

15. Source of all life

[Must_B_Free]

17. sum of matter and energy

[BernieBear]

18. Love

[yellowdogintexas]

19. God is not a Republican

(or Democrat for that matter)

[Robert Oak]

20. God as you understand him n/t

[hiphopnation]

32. or her

or it...

[uhhuh]

23. Faith: A right not requirement

[Mojambo]

33. I like this one a LOT n/t

[Zinfandel]

24. We want good Christian soldiers who go into battle blindly asking no

questions and give their young lives, right or wrong for corporate America and Jesus, to kill innocent people because they are told to by their leaders.

Never questioning authority.

SORRY, WRONG PARTY.

[DWCG]

25. Here's what it should be

Faith through deeds!

[SouthPasadenaDem]

26. Absolutely none of your business.

n/t

[underseasurveyor]

27. "God, one's own private belief"

[tuvor]

28. Let this ignorant Soviet Canuckistani give it a shot.

He is; He lets us.

[Magical]

29. Non-violent, unifying, mysterious, loving force

[Mojambo]

30. Not a government issue n/t

[DianeG5385]

31. Religion is a personal choice.

I say it's up to the individual rather than the state to determine religious beliefs. I have never in my life felt as inhibited in my political views as since GWB becaame prez. Let's go watch commercials and buy stuff we don't need before the news comes on and tells us the new body count. This war is glorified lie. They are profitting on our backs.

[Leilani]

35. Stay Out of My Life!

same answer for guns, abortion, birth control, assisted suicide, sex,

etc.

[Still_Notafraid]

36. Keep big government out of my church.

I think if we said that a few thousand times maybe one or two bible thumpers will come around.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

37. Who's God?

We are about Freedom of Religion.

[John Q. Citizen]

38. 2300 angels dance on pin

[Pandaren]

39. Don't ask

God? OMFG!!! GOD??? DID YOU JUST SAY...GOD!!!!! MY EARS!!!!

[Book Lover]

40. I thought you were going to say

Don't ask; don't tell!

[carpetbagger]

41. God is love, not hubris. n/t

[0rganism]

42. Looking at the answers, I can see why we're losing

We're not just verbose, we're farking confused. There is no clarity, no unity of vision, only chaos disguised as diversity.

I can sum up the republican position in five words, easily.

"America is a Christian Nation."

We're going to get real used to that idea over the next four years.

[underseasurveyor]

45. A very good excercise

Really. Most repubs think we have a christian nation we know that. But most Dems believe in the separation of church and state and one's religious beliefs and practices should not be imposed on others.

Not five words but speaking for me, it's difficult to speak in sound bites. Either I'm too dumb or I'm too smart haven't figured out which one yet

[fob]

90. So far you've asked for a 5 word response to Dem position on

Guns and God, so I guess Gays is next?

My answer is all the same;

Republicans are lying to you.

That's the 5 word hook, then explanations can follow.

[0rganism]

102. The "gays" thread is already in progress

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

IIRC, I started it before the God thread, but it fell off the bottom quicker than the other two.

Your idea of hitting back at the republican lies is a good one, IMHO. I think if you can phrase it in such a way that it speaks to each issue specifically rather than leaving it as a blanket condemnation, we might end up with a message that could work in Middle America.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

91. In 5 words or less, describe the Commie Pinko Dirtbag position on 0rganism

"Debate bad. I want groupthink."

[0rganism]

98. AKA shooting the messenger

This thread is not a debate. It's utter confusion.

People here are disoriented by the question, we start summing up our own beliefs instead of stating in simple terms what the Democratic position is. Not just on the God thread, it's on the guns and gays threads too.

I don't want groupthink, in the sense of lockstep agreement. I do want you to understand the problem we face in clarifying a winning message. By and large, the inhabitants of DU are Democratic activists, and we're having considerable difficulty doing so.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

112. Perhaps the DNC is in confusion, but people here don't seem to be.

So each one has different ideas and beliefs. So what? What other alternative is there other than groupthink, or worse yet, collective hypocrisy?

What would people be saying if this thread was more to your liking? What were you expecting to read?

[0rganism]

123. This question is NOT about clarity in your personal religious belief

You seem to be fixated on this, when it's really missing the point.

I asked DUers for a simple description of the Democratic position on God. Instead, everyone wants to tell about their own ecumenical theology, or offer an opinion about the interaction of church and state that flies in the face of observed reality.

Groupthink isn't a problem. As a group we don't even understand the question.

> What were you expecting to read?

I wish I could tell you I expected something much different than what I'm reading now. This thread is confirming my fears about the Democratic party's incoherent message.

[Swamp Rat]

43. N/A

There is no "DEMOCRATIC position on God." - It is a construct built upon/overlapping another construct. This assertion applies to the so-called "republican position" as well.

[underseasurveyor]

47. ROTF

LMAO Great pic SR. My newest favorite......bwaaaaaahaaaaaaaahahaha

[Swamp Rat]

50. Thank you

It's not pretty, but I just finished this one a few minutes ago after I heard Rummy talking about chopped off heads...

[Carolab]

46. God's not in the White House

But He makes sure those who do live there protect our freedom to worship as we wish outside of it.

[bushi]

48. mmmmmm............

....to each his own.........

[m berst]

49. He's OK for some n/t

[underseasurveyor]

51. Right to reject, Freedom to choose

OK that's six words

[megaplayboy]

52. "Our God doesn't hate anyone"

that's it.

[NurseLefty]

53. We walk the walk

Meaning, we don't just thump a bible and pontificate - we carry out kind acts toward our fellow man and we are true stewards of the planet our creator has given us.

[pen dragon]

54. agnostic

[JohnnyCougar]

55. Love for everyone.

[Carolab]

57. Jesus is a liberal

You can look it up:

www.jesusisaliberal.com

[JSJ]

58. don't ask don't tell me

[lucabrasi]

59. Science, Logic, Knowledge

[0rganism]

60. Oh come on, you're not even trying.

Five words or less.

Describe the Democratic position on God.

Good luck.

[underseasurveyor]

62. We're fucked

Huh?!

[0rganism]

65. Yep, it's lookin' that way

I'm beginning to regret starting these threads.

[underseasurveyor]

66. No No No

It's actually a GREAT excercise. I'm glad you started them even though they seem to be frustrating as hell. We have to get our grey matter in gear.

[Sin]

61. "The Opiate of the Masses"

[0rganism]

64. Nice, but we're looking for the Democratic version, not the Marxist one

There's really not much in common between the two, but the republicans have certainly tried to frame it that way.

[Dr Fate]

69. I've always loved the "tell it like it is" wing of the Democratic party

n/t

[Sin]

70. Thats what i believe

I'm an atheist I believe it does more harm then good.
It gives people false hope in an easily corruptible system.
thats how I feel about it.

[0rganism]

74. Did you know that "atheist" is nearly the worst negative for a candidate?

Seriously. It was right up there with "Satanist" and "Pagan" and "ex-con", in terms of characteristics that would keep an American from voting for someone.

I, too, happen to agree with Karl Marx about religion. You can read the full context of his statement here:

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/critiqu...

"Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.

"The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions."

(K. Marx, "Introduction to A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right")

However, this is not the position of the Democratic party in the United States of America.

[Sin]

75. Yea people don't like us atheist's :(

whelp heres a humor page about that hope you like it ( thats if you haven't read it all ready.)

http://www.infidels.org/misc/humor/lioaca.html

[really annoyed]

63. The First Amendment Will Do

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Well, that's 21 words... Oh well...

I hope that is "DEMOCRATIC" enough for you.

[wickerwoman]

67. Render unto Caesar what's Caesar's.

I don't know that this is the Democratic Party's positions on God, but I feel it's the most democratic one. It's also the Christian religion's position on goverment, not that many Christians seem to acknowledge it.

Religion has no place in government.

[Dr Fate]

68. Faith is a personal choice.

It's your own personal choice-no one will tell you how to worship against your will- and you wont force your views on others either- deal?

It's madness that it should have to go any further than that...

[juliagoolia]

71. Personal, Private, Protected, and Seperate from Policy

[KitSileya]

73. To each, his/her own.

To each, his/her own.

I think that sums it up.

[President Jesus]

76. My God beats your God!

oh wait...that's the gop position.

They also use "Who would Jesus execute?"

[SoCalDem]

77. Do NOT preach to ME

if YOU love god..that's fantastic. I am happy for you.. I hope it brings you comfort and great dividends..

I will choose my OWN way, and if I ever feel the need of spiritual guidance..You will be the first one I call.....until then, kindly STFU

[Garage Queen]

78. To each his own.

tada!

Do I win a prize?

[seabeyond]

79. not of the ego, spirit

i am having fun

[DelawareValleyDem]

80. It's YOUR decision, not ours

[immoderate]

81. None of your business.

Did it in four.

--IMM

[JanMichael]

82. One word: Amos.

That was easy and I'm an Atheist.

[fryguy]

84. a personal and private matter

eom

[UdoKier]

85. Why should politics address "God"?

"God" is not a universal concept. Those who practice a religion should be free to practice it as they please, so long as they don't impose it on others via the government. Pretty simple, isn't it?

[fob]

86. Republicans are lying to you.

Same as "guns" message

[irancontra]

87. NOTHING TO DO WITH GOVERNMENT.

[requiem99]

88. Your business, and nobody elses.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

89. "Congress shall make NO law.."

I've always been fond of the 1st Amendment. Short, concise, no weasal words and covers just about everything I believe in about religion, speech, the press (media) and the peoples' rights.

Of course, it is ignored by both parties. Pandering to the church gets more votes.

[leftofthedial]

93. hand me down a viper!

[DemBones DemBones]

94. "Shhh! No talking about that!" eom

[FDRrocks]

95. There's a god? n/t

[demokatgurrl]

96. God is a personal choice

[blm]

97. Respect peoples' private religious choices.

[proud patriot]

100. LOVE

I did it one again

[bunkerbuster1]

101. Jesus was a liberal Jew.

[LiberalPersona]

103. Your boat, not my paddle n/t

[meow2u3]

104. God and politics don't mix

just like oil and water...

[Beacho]

105. A question left to the individual

natch

[maxrandb]

106. Hitler Called Himself a Christian

[maxrandb]

107. Democrats - The "New" Testament Party

[LVdem]

108. My position:

There is no god.

[PhuLoi]

109. Yours is barking mad, nyah!

[Mike L]

110. "We don't want any 'God'."

It should be: "A little 'God' won't hurt."

That's what middle America believes. We won't get middle America voters until we stop supporting taking "God" out of the pledge; removing nativity scenes from public squares; removing The Ten Commandments from courthouses; taking "In God We Trust" off currency, etc.

These little things haven't hurt the country in the past. They won't lead to an official government religion. Be realistic and let's win some elections.

[thinkingwoman]

111. To each their own. nt

[bossfish]

113. If that's what you need...

(five words, there's a contraction in there)

[CornField]

114. More than five words but...

Our rights as Americans do not depend on approval from others. We have those rights because we are Americans.

[leesa]

116. What the hell are you talking about?

Being Democrats, we each have our own concept of God, or not as the case may be. Are you looking for God sound-bites??

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

120. I think he's looking for nasty vitriol

to fling back at them. Like:

"Republicans want the Inquisition back."

[democratreformed]

118. God helps those who help themselves. n/t

[GreenArrow]

119. live and let live

.

[robbedvoter]

121. "Not in the Government"

124. A Separation of church and state law

America shall have a separation of church and state.

[sangh0]

126. "God is not a Republican"

or a Democrat

[LeftHander]

127. The Spirit with many names

that is all

[sweetheart]

128. "To each their own God."

"God is Dog spelled Backwards"

"Each follows their own God."

"And then God spoke: WHATever"

[CO Liberal]

129. In Church - NOT In School

This is the DU member still known as CO Liberal.

[Rob H.]

130. "Keep God out of government."

That, or "Believe? Keep it to yourself."

Or, more simply, "Beware the overtly religious politician."

I'm getting more and more irritated that there's a religious litmus test for whatever candidate runs, no matter what party they're from. Could you tell?

[jojo54]

131. Yes, I can

Strongly, but NOT insanely!

[tillary adams]

132. I am my brother's (and sister's) keeper

We must reclaim some of the language, including biblical language. Bush often inserts biblical allusions in his speeches. So, I suggest that we use this passage of scripture to reflect the idea that we are responsible for each other's welfare!

[Lefergus70]

133. Democrats have faith in compassion.