When my friend Brandon Whipple, who serves as Chair of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party here in Wichita, called me to ask if I would speak at that organization’s monthly Warner Moore Luncheon, I said “Of course!” I’m not sure what exactly he had in mind, but I knew immediately that I wanted to talk about the important work of bringing a faith perspective into political discussions. Since attending the YDA Faith and Values Initiative Leadership Summit in March, I have been itching to get moving on implementing a faith outreach plan here in Sedgwick County, so the opportunity to take this first step was perfect!

It turned out to be an interesting conversation. With all of my excitement and conviction about the value of this movement, I had forgotten that there are still strong reactions against any mention of religion in the public sphere. Almost immediately, it became a conversation about separation of church and state, and on the appropriateness of having this as a topic at all. There was a lot of fear, and a lot of hurt — some of our old-guard party leaders spoke in a way that made it clear that this is a subject that they expect to get bludgeoned with.

But, as another lunch attendee said, here in Kansas (where 70% of people say religion is a part of their daily lives), Democrats are losing. The advice I gave was simple: Be authentic. Speak to values. And don’t be afraid to speak up — as a Christian in your political life, or as a Democrat in your religious life. Those are tactics we can all agree on.

This work is powerful, and with great power comes great responsibility. Like everything we do as people of faith, we must approach these conversations with empathy and compassion for all involved, find our common ground, and develop a way to move forward — together — to seek a better world.

Kate Davis
First Vice President
Kansas Young Democrats

The YDA Faith and Values team recently had the great opportunity to participate in Liberty University’s Unity Fest on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Unity Fest was comprised of Campus Clubs and Community Organizations from Liberty and the surrounding area. Bryan Rice and Robert Short, two former Liberty University students, staffed Unity Fest on behalf of the YDA Faith and Values Initiative. They both are of Christian Faith and were honored to be back on campus to share their ties to the Democratic Party. Robert, a past Democratic candidate for the Virginia state senate in District 23, said “I am pleased to report that during unity fest the Democrat tables outnumbered the GOP’s by more than 2:1. Also getting to be a part of the Faith and Values table gave me the opportunity to share with the students why, as someone who is seeking to live out the Bible’s commands in my everyday life, I am led to be a Democrat.” Bryan echoed these sentiments. “Liberty University’s Unity Fest 2012 was a great opportunity to speak with students about YDA’s Faith and Values Initiative. It is so great to be able to engage young people on issues that matter to them and their faith – issues where we find common ground. We received all positive responses. In reaching across a diverse spectrum, we find common ground to engage young people of faith.”

Christina Darby, the President of the Liberty College Democrats, said, “it was an excellent turnout, was the first event we had a hand in…The Democratic Party does have values that we show pride in as faithful Americans.” Adding to this, Maria Childress, President of the Lynchburg United Young Democrats and adviser to the executive board of the College Democrats at Liberty University, said, “There were a couple people who did not know that there was a push for faith and values through YDA, so there was positive recognition of the initiative. Community members and local political groups supported Liberty in the event and it was nice to break down the barrier between the city and university in support of the students”.

Laura Lee Kleiner
Deputy Director
YDA Faith and Values Initiative

Many of my fellow Christians assume if I am truly a Christian, I must be a Republican. Interestingly enough, many fellow Democrats seem surprised to learn I am a Christian. This strikes me as odd, since God Himself is not political, and religious discrimination is contrary to American Ideals. So how is it a religious belief (such as Christianity) and a party affiliation (such as Democrat) have been defined in today’s society as mutually exclusive, or even opposites? I contend that both of our major political parties have flaws (as do all human beings). Furthermore, it is my belief that partisan political issues are never “black and white,” there are always issues where party members are in agreement, and there are bound to be other issues where members of the same party disagree. The most important thing is that party members can openly discuss their disagreements with one another.

In recent years I have observed that our society increasingly values comfort and convenience over opinions and ideas, which may be a reflection of a current definition of the “pursuit of happiness.” We would rather not discuss an issue we feel could spark some disagreement, as it makes us uncomfortable and makes our conversations less convenient. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life recently found that more people feel that there is too much religious talk by politicians, yet I wonder if this is really true. If we cannot bring ourselves to discuss these issues on street corners or even tolerate such discussion on television shows, how can we honestly expect our elected officials and leaders to discuss these kinds of tough issues in a public committee?

Consider this: In recent years we have put more pressure on parents to discuss sex, drugs, and alcohol with their teens, as it has been proven that such open discussion greatly reduces promiscuity, drug use, and alcohol abuse among teens. We recognize many parents are uneducated about the issues and therefore uncomfortable about discussing such topics with their teens. In spite of the initial tension and awkwardness, not to mention the fact that many teens might not be interested in listening to their parents discuss such things, we continue to urge parents to make the attempt. If it is so important for parents to risk having discussions with their teens about the difficult issues of sex, drugs, and alcohol, why are people so reluctant to discuss the equally difficult topic of Faith and Values in America?

As a member of the Young Democrats of America’s Faith and Values Initiative, it is my sincere hope we can have those difficult yet important conversations about faith and values, so we can become more aware of our different points of view. If we are willing to have that kind of conversation, I am confident we can find common ground as Americans – in spite of our differences. It may be much easier for us all to turn our backs and argue that the other is unwilling to compromise or even discuss the issue, but it certainly isn’t going to get us any further. When will we as a society accept that our comfort zones must be expanded, to allow us to see our true potential? When will we once again value open discussion of opinions and ideas over our own comfort and convenience? Freedom and liberty may not require us to divulge our differences regarding faith and values, but what good is it if we don’t risk that kind of open discussion?

“We must not be free because we claim freedom, but because we practice it” – William Faulkner

Paul Lovelis
Vice President
Pima Count Young Democrats

We want to wish a happy Mothers Day to all the INCREDIBLE moms out there who give so much of themselves for us every day of the year. You are all very appreciated and we will never forget the many ways you bless us on a daily basis!

The YDA Faith and Values Initiative is proud to stand behind President Obama in his support of full equality for same-sex couples. Guided by the values at the core of his faith, he took a principled stance because of his commitment to upholding the essential dignity of all human beings. Though we at YDA represent many diverse religious traditions, from evangelical Christians to Unitarian Universalists, one thing that binds us all together is a foundational belief that all people should be treated with love and respect. We are each called by our holy texts and traditions to work together to ensure full rights for all people, and we look forward to working with the President to make the great promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness a reality for our gay and lesbian friends, family members, and fellow Americans.

I’ve always preferred a much deeper definition of love than what was readily available to me. In essence, I believe what Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 calls us to understand: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Love is an undeniable partnership where Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that love is simply, “to will the good of the other.” What a perfect definition of love. It is unpackaged, unassuming and all-encompassing.

While churches and communities of faith around the country need to decide for themselves how best to include members of their diverse communities, we can no longer allow our religious objections to stand in the way of people’s civil rights in the public sphere. Equality means so much more than marriage and full equality celebrates the overarching themes of many faith traditions.

Our communal desire for the elevation of human dignity, human development, full civic participation, the ability to feel safe in the workplace, and the ability to feel love in a community should motivate us to work for equality in the fullest sense of the word—not just a convenient political catchphrase.

With President Obama and Vice-President Biden’s support for marriage equality we see that people of faith are moving in the direction of full inclusion of diverse communities in society. We can both simultaneously respect the sacraments that many faith traditions hold, while simultaneously granting equal legal rights.

Many “people of faith” act out against the LGBT community, and condemn the President, Governors and Legislatures around the country who have supported full equality. These actions and comments should be particularly disturbing to practicing people of faith who are told to always act with love. We must always remember our call in Micah, “…to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.”

John McCarthy
Chairman, College Democrats
The Catholic University of America

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama made history. He became the first sitting President to come out in favor of marriage equality. The historic news is being discussed throughout the media, particularly discussing whether this will hurt the President’s re-election campaign. Most believe it will not and they site the new enthusiasm that the campaign will have with young voters. Young voters overwhelmingly believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry and this is an issue that really inspires them to work for continued change.

One thing from the President’s announcement that has not received as much coverage from the media though is his discussion of his personal faith and his realization of the need to affirm same-sex couples’ right to marriage. “[Michelle and I] are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others,” Obama stated, “but, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing Himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule.” In bringing his own religious convictions into the discussion, President Obama also laid out an approach that young progressives of faith can use to change the hearts and minds of others not yet supportive of full equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Fairness and equality is a matter of faith. A faith based on treating others with the same respect and care as all world religions have at the core of their beliefs. President Obama did not put aside his faith in affirming same-sex marriages, nor did he do it in spite of his faith. President Obama made history as the first sitting President to embrace full equality because of his deep faith. That is not only something to be proud of but something all Christians are called to emulate.

Now the call to add marriage equality within the Democratic Platform is sure to be affirmed and with that, our Democratic Platform will truly be one expressing the faith & values that young progressives believe in.

Juan Del Hierro
Faith Caucus Chair
Florida Young Democrats

I have faith in a God that is good — who loves us and wants us to live into His promises to us in a way that allows us to walk in this world as a beacon of His light. One of my core values is found in John 13:34 : “A new commandment I give to you…love one another.” When I am in doubt about the right decision to make, that is where I return: love one another. When I hear that the President came out in full support of gay marriage this week, I think: love one another.

My friends Ben and Rick are two of the most joyful, spirited, light-filled people I know. If there were ever two people in the world who were made for each other, it’s Ben and Rick. They have been in a committed relationship for over 7 years now: they fight over whether to get a dog, where to put the coffee table, what to do with their futures. And they belong to each other, now and for always.

If I ever had any doubts that loving someone of a different sex can be part of God’s plan for someone’s life, they disappeared when I met Ben and Rick. And again when I met Steve and Gary, and Jennifer and Randi, and Robert and David. The list goes on and on. These men and women are my brothers and sisters; they are my fellow Americans and part of the human race that I am called to love — completely, in word and action, every day.

Don’t get me wrong — I know that this isn’t the only way to look at this issue, and I know many many good, faithful, loving Christians who disagree with me on these points. But as for me, I believe it is my duty to work towards equal rights for my friends — and I hope to see a world where Ben and Rick can have the recognition and respect from our government that they have from me. I stand with President Obama in his support of full rights for homosexual couples.

Kate Davis
First Vice President
Kansas Young Democrats

Our President summoned the better angels of our collective being yesterday when he, the leader of the free world, affirmed that life, liberty, and especially the pursuit of happiness, belong to me as much as any other American. Yesterday was a day that brought our nation’s ideals in line with the undying hopes of her people. These are the same hopes my grandmother had when she paid poll taxes and passed literacy tests to vote, so that her children would live in a country that no longer tolerated Jim Crow and finally made one class of citizenship the irrevocable law of the land. And it’s upon similar hope that I entrusted my vote, with all of Mama’s sacrifice in mind, to Barack Obama, believing him to be a man that would sense the urgent pleas of this generation’s desire to make of America a more perfect union. He has not disappointed.

The right not to be alone is one that is enshrined in the earliest religious writings of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions. Upon reflecting on the plight of humanity, God, who up to this point in creation, had only spoken that things made were ‘good’. But in looking at the lonely state of God’s first created person, comes God’s first utterance of ‘not good’. In God’s eyes it was not good for humanity to exist without companionship.

Thus, yesterday, President Obama sought to embrace the identity of a compassionate, loving, and concerned God, who cares for all His/Her children in this attempt to help every American gain the right to live their lives in the pursuit and achievement of love. This God, of which the President spoke of, has time and again valued love over legality, acceptance over adherence, and humanity over humiliation. Paul teaches us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

Though the moment when the President spoke to the aspirations of LGBTQ people across America did not change the unjust laws of our land, we can joyfully say that he has dramatically altered the course of history toward more rapidly creating an equal society. There is much work to do in bringing our American family and the family of God closer together on the issue of marriage equality, but it is with pride and confidence that I can say I still believe that change is coming! And my faith in God, love of this country and commitment to this President could not be stronger than today!

George Oliver
Master of Divinity Student
Andover Newton Theological School