Mediaboss Marketing

Im not sure that voters could be easily fooled by candidates who pretend to be what they are not. People may hear a politicians words, but most need to see evidence before casting their vote. That has never been more true than today, as people of faith see and are saddened that secularism is promoted in our schools and society. We want our leaders to truly represent us and our values.

BONNIE ONEIL NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.

To the Editor:

The Democrats do not have a religion problem. Religion as practiced by the Republican Party is the problem. It has reduced religion to the primary issue of abortion. If you are against abortion or claim to be, as Donald Trump conveniently proclaimed during the campaign, that is enough to claim the mantle of religion. True, it also helps to be against selling wedding cakes to homosexuals and contraceptives to women.

The Republican Party cant seriously claim the mantle of social conservatism when its current standard-bearer, never known to be a churchgoer, publicly lived the playboy life and extolled the values of greed, rather than charity. Has the Republican Party heeded Pope Francis call for social justice, to care for the poor and the disabled, refugees and the environment? The answer is no. The Republican Party is, to be sure, pro life, but it is against the living.

ALAN KUSINITZ, NEW YORK

To the Editor:

Daniel K. Williams errs in criticizing Jon Ossoff for his reluctance to advance his religious beliefs during his campaign. Mr. Ossoff is an adherent of Reform Judaism, perhaps the most progressive faith in the United States. The Sixth District has a strong conservative Christian orientation, which is at odds with core tenets of Reform Judaism. The Sixth District includes Cobb County, where in 2002 high schools placed stickers saying evolution is a theory not a fact on biology textbooks.

Mr. Ossoffs opponents questioned his legitimacy because he lived outside the district and had an ethnic-sounding name. He rightly assumed that proclaiming his Jewish heritage might further undermine his viability.

ELLEN G. RAFSHOON BROOKHAVEN, GA.

To the Editor:

Daniel K. Williams accurately maps out the Democrats problem with religion, except for one thing: They do have a religion. Its called liberal-progressivism. Increasingly, modern, college-educated white Democrats worship at the altar of historical grievance, political correctness, censorship and seeking any evidence (no matter how remote) of having been oppressed. They even seek to identify with others oppression when they themselves have suffered little. (Talk about cultural appropriation.)

Their liturgy is stigmatizing the unconverted by calling them nasty names: Youre sexist, racist, homophobic, xenophobic. The Democrats cant win elections because most people reject the core values of liberal-progressivism. Why? Because at the heart of any great religion is a core belief in our common God-given humanity. The Democratic Party has become the party of division, name-calling and alienation.

THOMAS OHARE, BOSTON

To the Editor:

While I agree with Daniel K. Williamss assessment of the Democrats religious problem as a rhetorical device, I wonder when the vast majority of Americans are going to wake up to the fact that the Democratic Party and its candidates are actually living up to the tenets of every religious faith by caring for the poor and the destitute, pushing for health care for all, promoting a living wage, and advocating for civil rights and a clean environment. Its all too easy to spout religious platitudes, but by their fruits ye shall know them (Matthew 7:16).

JOANN D. CLAPS, RANDOLPH, N.J.

To the Editor:

Re Democrats Fume as Georgia Loss Deepens Discord (front page, June 22):

I understand the frustration in Democratic ranks after a disheartening eight months, but I disagree about the partys near-term prospects. A badly damaged Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost three million. Her losing the presidency hinged on only about 80,000 votes in three key states. Since then, motivated Democrats have outperformed the norm in congressional races in deep red territory, which bodes well for 2018.

My biggest concern in the next few years isnt the partys brand, although that needs work. Its the deepening rift between the partys left flank and the partys mainstream. Lets try to remember, Democrats, that were all in this together.

CASEY CONLEY, DOVER, N.H.

To the Editor:

There is a disheartening reality to the Democrats special election defeat in Georgia: There is seemingly nothing that can move President Trumps rabid base away from him and his Republican surrogates. It is simply unrealistic (and wishful thinking) to believe that people who were duped by Mr. Trumps false promises, oblivious to his ignorance and willing to overlook his glaring personal shortcomings will suddenly wake from their stupor and realize what they have done.

And the hope that there were at least a few Republicans in the House and the Senate principled and courageous enough to resist this disastrous presidency fades with each passing day.

One cant blame Democrats for desperately reaching in all directions, from changing their leadership to trying to relate to the fears of working men and women, to crystallizing their message on jobs, whatever that entails. The answer to the Democrats problems is elusive, but one thing should remain clear: The attacks on Mr. Trumps agenda, his ethics and his lack of fitness for the office of the presidency must be intense and unrelenting.

JAY ADOLF, NEW YORK

A version of this letter appears in print on July 2, 2017, on Page SR10 of the New York edition with the headline: Are the Democrats Too Secular?.

Link:
Are the Democrats Too Secular? - New York Times