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John Kerry And The Role Of Religion In Public Life

John Kerry’s speech on Thursday night did more than introduce him to the American public. For the first time he talked in an extensive way about his own faith and the role he believes religion should play in public life:

My friends, the high road may be harder, but it leads to a better place. And that's why Republicans and Democrats must make this election a contest of big ideas, not small-minded attacks. This is our time to reject the kind of politics calculated to divide race from race, group from group, region from region. Maybe some just see us divided into red states and blue states, but I see us as one America – red, white, and blue. And when I am President, the government I lead will enlist people of talent, Republicans as well as Democrats, to find the common ground – so that no one who has something to contribute will be left on the sidelines.

And let me say it plainly: in that cause, and in this campaign, we welcome people of faith. America is not us and them. I think of what Ron Reagan said of his father a few weeks ago, and I want to say this to you tonight: I don't wear my own faith on my sleeve. But faith has given me values and hope to live by, from Vietnam to this day, from Sunday to Sunday. I don't want to claim that God is on our side. As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God's side. And whatever our faith, one belief should bind us all: The measure of our character is our willingness to give of ourselves for others and for our country.

What a great statement. Americans, I think, will appreciate these remarks. The personal faith that John Kerry spoke of seems so much more profound than the insincere faith so many politicians (on both sides of the political aisle) seem to adopt purely for political gain.

Don't miss The Rev. Brenda Bartella Peterson's post on the DNC blog about how people of faith can become involved with the Kerry campaign.

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