Here is a roundup of the religious events on Thursday's final session of the Democratic National Convention. (Full schedule of religious events.) The convention's second Faith Caucus was held in early afternoon. Scheduled panels, both moderated by Joshua Dubois, the campaign's director of religious affairs, were:(1) "Moral Values Issues Abroad". Panelists were Dr. Preeta Bansal, Dr. David Gushee, Sr. Simone Campbell, Dr. Claude d’Estree. (2) "Getting Out the Faith Vote". Panelists were Rev. Romal Tune, Mark Linton, Rev. C Welton Gaddy, Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Rabbi Steve Gutow. The Lawrence (KA) Journal-World briefly reports on the Caucus, including remarks by Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean.
The invocation (full text) opening the convention's final session was offered by Rabbi David Saperstein of the Union for Reform Judaism Religious Action Center. (Press release.) He prayed that the United States "may ever be an or l'goyim, a light unto the nations." He also made special reference to Edward Kennedy.
The closing benediction was offered by Pastor Joel Hunter, leader of Northland Community Church, a mega-church in Orlando, FL. CF News13 interviewed Hunter about his planned benediction.
