Written by Don Byrd
News outlets are aflutter today after realizing that the 2012 DNC platform does not explicitly mention “God.” It does have a section on the importance of faith in America and the role of faith-based organizations in addressing critical challenges we face, but vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan says Democrats have “purged” God.
“It’s not in keeping with our founding documents, our founding vision. I’d guess you’d have to ask the Obama administration why they purged all this language from their platform. There sure is a lot of mention of government. I guess I would just put the onus and the burden on them to explain why they did all this, these purges of God.”
Is it necessary that a political platform specifically refer to God? For what purpose?
Meanwhile, as he did for the Republican Convention, Howard Friedman posts the names and religious affiliations of clergy that will deliver prayers during this week’s Democratic National Convention.
Tuesday:
- Invocation– His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas (Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Detroit).
- Benediction– Jena Lee Nardella (Founder and Executive Director of Blood: Water Mission).
Wednesday:
- Invocation– Vashti Murphy McKenzie (presiding bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church)
- Benediction– Rabbi David Wolpe (Sinai Temple in Los Angeles).
Thursday:
- Invocation– Rev. Gabriel Salguero (president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition).
- Benediction– Cardinal Timothy Dolan, (Archbishop of New York).
[UPDATE: In response to the criticism, DNC delegates voted Wednesday to return language to the platform regarding Jerusalem, and a statement referring to the “God-given potential” of all people.]
