Coalition of Secular Voters

The Democrats are really going all out trying to woo the "faith-based" community this year it seems.

DNC organizers reassure Denver's faith community

On Aug. 24, the eve of the Democratic National Convention's opening gavel, the convention committee will hold its first official kickoff event - a huge Sunday afternoon gathering dedicated to religious inclusiveness and diversity.

Final plans for the event in the 5,000-seat Wells Fargo Theatre will be announced soon, said DNCC spokesperson Natalie Wyeth.

Since the early planning stages of the convention, Democrats signaled that they planned to seek out "many voices" of faith. The party's commitment to religious issues was highlighted by its choosing the Rev. Leah Daughtry, of New York, as CEO of the convention committee.

Of course their incluseiveness doesn't include any address from the non-faith community.

 The Secular Coalition for America (SCA) issued an action alert about this recently.  They are trying to get an atheist to address the forum alongside the religious ministers. Lori Lipman Brown, director of SCA, is herself offering to attend the event on behalf of the secular community.  I'm not sure that's the best approach, but for what it's worth, here is the link.  And Lori is a good speaker, so perhaps she can go a long way to raise awareness.

 It is certainly divisive to treat the non-religious (of whom there are far more than Jews or Muslims combined in the US) as if they do not matter.  Furthermore, this is not a one-time event, if the organizer, a Pentecostal minister, gets her way:

    "Daughtry has publicly stated that she hopes starting the Convention with a religious service become a “hallmark” of the convention for years to come."

I e-mailed Lori about this but I haven't heard back from her. I'd like to do something about it, either get invited to have an atheist speaker (heck I'd do it myself) or "protest" outside of the venue on Sunday.

I wish I could join you to protest on the 24th, but that is my son's birthday party, so I will not be there.  The Rocky Mountain News just released a story about this with more details - it looks like the secular community's complaint has not been addressed:

I'm going to try and get tickets and then also plan to protest. If I get tickets I'll wear my "atheist" t-shirt.

 I won't be able to make it because I have a prior engagement.

Please don't. Protests are by nature negative. If atheists are going to mount an organized event, do something like a free lemonade stand. Serve the faith-laden something tart, yet sweet. "free atheist lemonade" or some cleverly named beverage. Don't come across that you are aggressive, or angry, or anti any/every thing. Don't "crash" their party. Hold your own. Make positive statements. What I will be paying attention to are all the references to god and faith during the "business" portions of the conventions. Those might be worth an objection. An atheist t-shirt is the same as wearing a cross on a neckless.

 I've changed my plans I will be making it to this event to demonstrate, in good taste.

 Here are more articles on this topic:

At the Democrats' party, a Pentecostal minister 

The Dems' "Unity" Event: Secularists Semi-Invited 

Groups wants atheists included in DNC interfaith service 

See the thread here about planned demonstrations for this event:

http://secularvoters.org/forums/t/114.aspx