Kerry shows his pro-atheist stance

[Guest kitkat]

Democrat presidential candidate John Kerry has replaced his religion adviser with a woman who was one of 32 clergy members to file a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the atheist who challenged the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

But Peterson's background makes one question whether the Democrats have lost their minds, he said.

"He also notes that she 'will act as liaison to religious organizations.' Upon learning of this appointment, we decided to find out who this woman is. And what we found will make people of every faith wonder whether McAuliffe and the DNC have totally lost their senses," Donohue said.

Democratic National Committee chairman "Terry McAuliffe says the appointment of Rev. Peterson as the new Senior Advisor for Religious Outreach 'reflects the DNC's commitment to reaching all people of faith,'" said Catholic League President William Donohue.

But Peterson's background makes one question whether the Democrats have lost their minds, he said.

"He also notes that she 'will act as liaison to religious organizations.' Upon learning of this appointment, we decided to find out who this woman is. And what we found will make people of every faith wonder whether McAuliffe and the DNC have totally lost their senses," Donohue said.

"And this is the person the Democrats want to dispatch to meet with the heads of religious organizations? Are they out of their minds? Would they hire a gay basher to reach out to homosexuals?" he asked.

Donohue said the Democrats "stepped in it again" by hiring Peterson, considering her connection to the Pledge of Allegiance case.

Donohue said the Democrats are "0 for 2 in appointing senior religious liaison directors." First, Kerry's campaign appointed Vanderslice, "but when we exposed her as a radical leftist who associates with anti-Catholics, the Kerry staff silenced her. Now they've stepped in it again by selecting Rev. Peterson," Donohue said.

"The selections of Vanderslice and Peterson suggest that either no one bothers to vet candidates for religious outreach, or the elites making the choices are anti-religious. If the former is true, then this shows that the Democrats place no priority on appealing to people of faith," he said.

"If the latter is true, then Kerry needs to bring in a big broom and clean house," Donohue said.

[georgesbluegirl]

Just because someone is an atheist doesn't mean they don't respect people of faith, unlike a "gay-basher" showing disrespect to homosexuals.

I know, I have a lot of atheist friends.

[JohnS]

That is more about the apostate church than atheists.

Mrs. Peterson rallied religious liberals since she took the Clergy Network post in November. Her husband, John Peterson, is communications director for the Interfaith Alliance, a liberal ecumenical group.

What's 'ecumenical', georgesbluegirl?

[georgesbluegirl]

As far as the definition that I know goes (I was a student in an "ecumenical institute" program for a while) it means bringing together people of all denominations under one Christian banner. I have only heard used in a Catholic context (I'm Catholic).

[Trinity]

Just because someone is an atheist doesn't mean they don't respect people of faith, unlike a "gay-basher" showing disrespect to homosexuals.

I know, I have a lot of atheist friends.

Yeah but a week ago he said he was a christian

[georgesbluegirl]

He is a Christian.

I'm a Christian too, and I don't believe "under God" should be in the pledge. But I don't think it can ever be taken out at this point, and it doesn't matter much personally to me, since I don't say it anyway.

But can't a Christian be friendly with atheists?

[Guest charlie]

Just a quick reminder, quote the source/site when posting an article, or part of an article. Thanks.

[senerhu]

Just because someone is an atheist doesn't mean they don't respect people of faith, unlike a "gay-basher" showing disrespect to homosexuals.

I know, I have a lot of atheist friends.

Let me if I understand this, atheist respect people but don't respect God? What is wrong with this picture to a Christian?.....

[Guest charlie]

Let me if I understand this, atheist respect people but don't respect God? What is wrong with this picture to a Christian?.....

I don't think it's a matter of an atheist not "respecting" God; they do not think He exists at all; therefore, they (in their mind) cannot disrespect someone who is not there. It doesn't stop them from respecting or loving other people; their own children for example.

I've known atheists and agnostics who are far more respectful and commpassionate towards others than many of the Christians I've ever been in contact with. I don't know why it's this way; it shouldn't be this way; but unfortunately all too often it is this way.

[Guest kitkat]

But can't a Christian be friendly with atheists?

Of course a Christian can be friendly with atheists. The board that Senerhu and I used to post on 4 years ago was full of them (no longer online) and we found them to be pretty friendly and we were friendly with them as well. Their curiosity about God and the possibility that He may exist was there, so when we got the opportunity to tell them about Christ, we did. A lot of interesting discussions arose from talking with them. We are not to shun atheists. We're to love them in spite of their disbelief. Of course in order to love those that aren't believers, we need to learn to love those that are fellow Christians as well.