Why Don't Democrats Take Religion Seriously?

Video from The Atlantic (January)-

Many religious voters feel alienated from the Democratic Party, says Atlantic staff writer Emma Green. Why haven’t liberals tried harder to reach the broad percentage of Americans who identify as religious? “Democrats in Washington often have trouble speaking in religious terms, and they reflect a broader liberal culture that doesn’t take religion seriously,” she explains. But this is an uncomfortable shift, one that has a political costs. Previous progressive figures have actively relied on religious rhetoric to move policies forward. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimmy Carter, for example, framed their ideals in religious terms and audiences were receptive. Is it time for Democrats to incorporate religious identity back into their outreach and politics? This is the second episode of “Unpresidented,” an original series from The Atlantic exploring a new era in American politics.

More here-

https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/514691/why-dont-democrats-take-religion-seriously/?utm_source=fbb

Welcoming the Elephants to Tampa

From South West Florida-

It's not very often that you see a church newsletter issued with the image of a GOP elephant holding a pirate flag, but that's what one of Tampa's Episcopal churches, St. Andrew's, published last week to indicate its welcome of the Republican National Convention to Tampa, Fla.

Perhaps it's not that odd. The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida does have some experience with elephants; for decades we were chaplains to the wintering Ringling Brothers circus community, each year blessing a menagerie worthy of Noah's Ark and serving as blesser, counselor and prayer partner to clowns, sword swallowers, acrobats, lion tamers and elephant riders. As a church, we took that role seriously; the circus was in town, and we supported and welcomed that community when it came home each season.

St. Andrew's, since 1871 a fixture in downtown Tampa, will literally ring in the G.O.P. convention Aug. 27 as its bells, along with other Tampa churches, will toll for 15 minutes to welcome visitors from across the U.S. and world.

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bishop-dabney-t-smith/welcoming-the-elephants-to-tampa_b_1792520.html

Episcopal priest gave invocation at Republican National Convention

Episcopal News Service piece about Georgia priest and the Republican National Convention.

The Rev. Robert Certain, an Episcopal priest who was a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, opened the Republican National Convention evening session on September 2 with prayer. Certain asked God to "grant wisdom and grace" to President Bush and other U.S. leaders and that the presidential, vice-presidential and other political candidates be granted the "courage to face the rigors of the campaign (and) honesty and integrity to cast a vision of unity, progress and liberty." He also asked God to "teach our people to rely on your strength, and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may put country first, elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society."
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_100389_ENG_HTM.htm