Texas Democrats Appeal To Progressive Christians

Following the Texas Republican Party Convention last week that was filled with appeals to conservative Christians, this weekend the Texas Democratic Party held its convention and sought ways to identify with progressive Christians. Today's Dallas Morning News reports that buttons worn by delegates featured the religious symbol of a fish along with the Democratic Party donkey. At a workshop sponsored by the Texas Freedom Network, Rev. Brett Young said, "Caring for the poor is a religious issue. Feeding the hungry, watching out for the indigent, standing up for people who are hurting – from a religious perspective, the way we respond to poverty is a litmus test of true morality." Young said that Republicans are trying to define moral values as merely opposition to abortion and gay marriage. Democrats need to emphasize that social justice, programs for the needy and protection of the environment are also moral values.