File: Obama in 2008!

Barack Obama is announcing his intent for President this morning. Watch it live at BarackObama.com.

Here's my favorite speech from him. He talks about religion and politics and his own faith. It's wonderful because he addresses, in gorgeous yet plain language, how progressives can enter into the conversation on faith.

"Religious people do not have a monopoly on morality..." I find this particularly effective because so much of the debate has been exclusive. There have been the fire and brimstoners and everyone else. And, even though the fire and brimstoners are in the minority in terms of American values, they have had the loudest voices within the public sphere. I believe that is because progressives are too afraid to speak out about faith.

He goes on to point out that the same is true on the flip side when it comes to politicians coming to churches with insincere prayers. Sen. Obama continues, "I'd rather see secularists affirm their morality and ethics without pretending they are something they are not." I agree. Nothing sickens me more than seeing politicians clearly shilling their "beliefs" for votes. Your attendance at a religious institution does not make you "good." How strong are your values when you can turn around and act in an ugly, hateful, and intolerant manner -- behaviors that are outside even the most relaxed moral compasses? (Might I point to the Anderson court ruling in Washington that allows the legislature to "limit marriage to those couples able to have and raise children together." Meaning that my own parents, and the millions of others who cannot naturally conceive, would not be considered legally married. All of this to protect America from the "immorality" of homosexuality. How is that moral?)

From another part of the speech, on how secularists and religious folks are needed in the public debate: "We need Christians, Jews, and Muslims on Capitol Hill. When you have and estate tax with a trillion dollar budget going from social services to a bunch of folks who don't need it and haven't requested it, we need an injection of morality into our political debate." I'm glad he mentioned how important it is that many different voices are needed. I think one reason that progressives don't mention religion is because it does alienate our voting block. I'm extremely faithful, my tenets are guided by my belief in G-d, but I'm not Christian. I'm Jewish, yet I bristle even at my own religion when it is suggested that we hold the only keys to a moral life. I know many, many people that are just as godly with no belief in G-d. Progressives, as a whole, need to acknowledge this and accept this for what it is in order for us to build a foundation to bring in more supporters.

Sen. Obama calls for this as well. He says that we need to build on the “tenuous partnerships of religious and secular people of good will. The tensions and suspicions on each side of the religious divide will have to be squarely addressed and each side will need to accept some ground rules for collaboration."

He suggests that:
Conservative leaders:
"Understand the critical role of the separation of church and state in not just preserving our democracy, but the robustness of our religious practice."
He reminds people that it was originally the forbearers of the evangelicals who were the most effective champions of the first amendment.

He also recommends that:
Progressive leaders:
Don't "ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering the public square. If we shed some of our bias, we might recognize some overlapping values that religious and secular people share when it comes to the direction of our country."

He goes on to make a number of other salient points, emphasizing the big ones here. His honest discourse is something I've been searching for in politics. Finally, there's a voice that says yes, we need faith; yes, we need tolerance; and yes, we need common sense. To 2008!