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Dean’s Christmas

13 comments on Dean’s Christmas

Dean’s Christmas
: A day after Howard Dean went out of his way to start dropping Jesus’ name before heading South to campaign, Jeff Miller [via Relapsed Catholic] points out that Dean’s Christmas message doesn’t mention Jesus but instead Saint FDR. It’s an odd message, in fact. Nothing about the warmth and joy the holiday, just another chance to obliquely complain about the war. It would appear that Dean’s having trouble grokking God.

: See also Franklin Foer’s fine New Republic piece that says a secular candidate can’t win the presidency (yet), quoting a 2000 Pew poll that says 70 percent of Americans want their President to be a person of faith.

: I’m not hoping that Dean turns himself into a Bush-Christian to win. Quite the contrary. If he is, in fact, a Congregationalist, like me — of the reform tradition, open, progressive, mainline, and not fundamentalist — then I’d love to see that view of religion take to the stage instead of just the conservative brand. But it appears that Dean is either embarrassed about religion or not religious (in which case, his sudden discover of faith would be dubious).

13 responses to “Dean’s Christmas”

  1. NC3 Avatar
    NC3

    Let’s just put it this way; if Dean can’t fake being an open, progressive, mainline and liberal christian then he’s not Democratic Party presidential material.

  2. Matthew Stinson Avatar
    Matthew Stinson

    Dean seems to be obsessed with the word “hypocrite” when it comes to religion. It works its way into the bike path story and in his everyday rhetoric on the subject. Telling the religious that they’re all in danger of being hypocrites (as he did in an interview with Judy Woodruff) is not a good way to win the votes of the faithful.

  3. John Mendenhall Avatar
    John Mendenhall

    Is it just me, or is the following a completely bigoted remark:
    “If he is, in fact, a Congregationalist, like me…then I’d love to see that view of religion take to the stage…”
    I’ll take a few seconds and belabor the obvious: “a Muslim, like me,” or “a Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Hardshell Baptist, like me,” or “urban liberal open Episcopalian giving bikepaths to local governments on demand, like me.”
    One thing all of us should have figured out by now: the more vehemently a body describes itself as “open,” the less likely it is to be. The slow deaths of what you are pleased to call “mainline” Protestant denominations are occurring because of the soft, closed bigotry you espouse above, and the sort of wimpy post-Christianity that sees bike paths as more important than salvation. Merry Christmas.

  4. kevin Avatar
    kevin

    This whole thing has nothing to do with religion. I think people of all faiths should be able to see through this little charade of Deans. Speaking of hypocrisy, Dean said yesterday, without any sarcasm or irony, that the other Dem. candidates are “conventional politicians who are going to say whatever it takes to win.”

  5. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    I agree with NC3 and Mr. Mendenhall. Mr. Mendenhall is exactly right.
    I am annoyed by Jeff’s statement, “If he is, in fact, a Congregationalist, like me — of the reform tradition, open, progressive, mainline, and not fundamentalist…”
    What bugs me about this statement is that it is not different than what I said about liberals and religion in my earlier post. Church is “cool” as long as it doesn’t get all “religious” or mention “God” which is so uncool. I am sure I am wrong about you, Jeff, but that’s what your statement sounds like. Actually, it sounds like what Dean was referring to as the “Northeast tradition.”
    What is wrong with following your beliefs, be they fundamentalist or not? The Amish are pretty fundamentalist, but they don’t bother me. Many of my friends in high school in the mountains of North Carolina who were fundementalist or evangelicals were not bigotted the way you sound. One boy I dated from this background looked like Bon Jovi – not the stereotype you prescribe to. I get so sick of the sterotypes about more traditional Christians and especially those in the South.
    Frankly, the only people I have ever received crap from regarding my religious beliefs are “progressive” sorts who think there is something wrong with me for attending church or that I actually believe “that stuff.” Honestly, in Manhattan, being a crack addict nympho is more acceptable. Believing in God is so, like, uncool. Freaky. I think Dean is one of those types. He will celebrate Christmas as long as people don’t mention Christ.

  6. Jeff Jarvis Avatar
    Jeff Jarvis

    John & Catherine:
    Whoa. Chill, please. I was saying simply that I am a Congregationalist and if, indeed, Dean is also one by belief (rather than by convenience, having left an Episcopal church over a bike path), then I would welcome hearing that perspective since it happens to be mine as well. I’m identifying where I come from and there’s not a damned thing wrong with that. Bigotry? Go get a dictionary! You are the ones spouting venom. Cool down and try to be open and accepting of others, eh? In some circles, that’s called Christianity.

  7. firq krumpl Avatar
    firq krumpl

    john and catherine seem to have touced a nerve, as well as saving me some effort.
    after reading your excellent posts, i have nothing to add but my compliments

  8. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    Jeff – You need to read my post again. You are the one who sounds (as I said, I am sure I am wrong!) “less open” and “non-accepting.”
    You are the one who is not open or you wouldn’t say “Bush-Christian” or classify yourself in such a way. You are missing the point of Christianity when you start wanting to draw lines in the sand about the different denominations. Dean misses this point as well.
    I certainly feel the love, compassion and the “radical” welcome, as we call it (sharing our table with all, regardless of baptism) at my church, but it has to do with Christ and not the denomination. I don’t think Christ cares about denominations either. I think he listens to all prayers however they are said. THAT is Christianity, and if you knew that, you wouldn’t have to qualify yourself with so many appellations. The appellations make you sound like a typical “Northeastern” snob.

  9. Andrea Harris Avatar
    Andrea Harris

    I love it when people describe George W. as some sort of rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth fundamentalist. Funny, I didn’t realize that the Methodists had gone all hellfire.

  10. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    You know what’s funny Andrea, I didn’t know he was a Methodist because he never mentions where he worships. I guess he doesn’t need to put a whole bunch of hyphens next to his faith to make himself more palatable to people.

  11. Andrew | BYTE BACK Avatar
    Andrew | BYTE BACK

    I don’t grokk the fucking word grokk but I hate it with a rapturous passion.
    For the love of Jesus, stop using the word.
    Or is there a geek-Christian denomination?

  12. Martin Lindeskog Avatar
    Martin Lindeskog

    Jeff Jarvis,
    It was interesting to read Franklin Foer’s article. On a related note, read C. Bradley Thompson’s article, “New Right Meets New Left – And Nanny State Approves.” (Insight on the News magazine, 11/10/03.)
    Martin Lindeskog
    Gothenburg, Sweden.

  13. Jack Tanner Avatar
    Jack Tanner

    Funny how certain liberal Dems don’t want religion and politics to mix but have no problem when ordained ministers like Sharpton or Jesse Jackson run for president. I guess then it’s OK because they’re not going to win and/or are minorities?