Are Atheists Welcome at the Democratic Convention? Asks the Secular Coalition for America
July 23, 2008
The Secular Coalition wrote to Democratic National Convention (DNC) CEO Leah Daughtry on July 2nd to convey questions and concerns about a worship event she's organizing for the DNC. Now, a July 19 Associated Press article describes Daughtry, a Pentecostal minister, as "befuddled" by "an angry letter from a secularist group." We wouldn't have characterized our letter as "angry," but we wonder: are we the befuddlers? You decide.
Read the Associated Press article here: At the Democrats' party, a Pentecostal minister
Our letter:
July 2, 2008
Leah Daughtry
Chief Executive Officer
Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc.
1560 Broadway, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80202
Dear Rev. Daughtry:
I am very concerned about the Interfaith Gathering at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
This event is described as a "unity" event to stress the "big tent" nature of the Democratic Party; however, I have received complaints by people who identify as atheist and humanist who feel that this event excludes them as full participants in the convention.
Is this event open to Democrats who do not hold a god-belief? I assume your answer is yes, but I would be very interested to know how you plan to make the nontheist community feel welcomed. Without an inclusive plan you will make nontheistic Americans feel like second-class citizens at the convention.
If you have not considered this issue, I would be very interested in talking with you or the coordinator of this event to offer suggestions on how our community could be included. I can be reached at 202-299-1091 or by e-mail.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Ron Millar
Associate Director