By Secular Strategies
Last week, our own Sarah Levin, founder and director of Secular Strategies and co-chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Interfaith Council, delivered an eye-opening benediction (a closing invocation) at the DNC’s meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. The audience consisted of DNC members from all across the nation, representing every state, Washington, D.C., and the territories.
Sarah was introduced by DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison, who highlighted her work organizing secular Democrats and getting a DNC resolution passed in 2019 that welcomes religiously unaffiliated voters into the Democratic party.
Shared Values Over Shared Beliefs
One of the focal points of Sarah’s speech was the essence of interfaith work. She talked about how it’s not about having the same beliefs, but embracing shared values. Earlier in the week, Sarah had the opportunity to share a stage with Reverend Darryl Gray, a veteran civil rights activist, to emphasize this point. Reverend Gray, like Sarah, champions the cause of religious freedom. His advocacy extends to fighting against Missouri’s abortion ban—he is one of 14 clergy suing the state on the grounds that its abortion ban violates their religious freedom, and the state Constitution’s church-state separation clause.
Democratic Party: The Party of Religious Freedom
In her speech, Sarah argued that Democrats have been the leading force in defending religious freedom, counter to the common perception that Republicans are the protectors of this core American value. As Democrats, it’s time we reclaim this narrative, particularly ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections. Sarah encourages us to voice this stance loudly and proudly: Democrats, not Republicans, are the party of religious freedom.
Beyond Faith: Embracing Diversity
Sarah stressed the importance of embracing our diversity, including those who don’t associate with any religion. “We are the big tent party, big enough to include people of all faiths, of all spiritualities, and nonreligious folks like me,” Sarah stated in her speech. The Democratic party is a big tent party; its strength lies in its diversity.
The Road Ahead
As we inch closer to the 2024 elections, the message that Democrats are the true bearers of the torch of religious freedom needs to be heard far and wide. “We, the Democratic Party, are the party of religious freedom,” Sarah emphasized during her benediction. Sarah’s work, through her consultancy firm Secular Strategies and her involvement with Secular Democrats of America, is in service to restoring religious freedom and democracy for all Americans.
Earlier this year, she presented to the Nevada Democratic Party’s state central committee about religious freedom messaging, white Christian nationalism, and interfaith work. The presentation emphasizes that protecting religious freedom has an impact on far more issues of concern to Democrats than just “culture war” issues like LGBTQ rights and abortion. Since then, Sarah has been fielding multiple requests to bring the presentation to local Democratic clubs across the state. She will continue to educate Democrats in the coming election year in the hopes of equipping leadership and candidates with the tools they need to reclaim the narrative on religious freedom and build inclusive, winning interfaith coalitions.
To watch the full video of Sarah’s speech, click here. To support this crucial work, consider donating to the Secular Democrats of America. The organization is transitioning from a PAC to a 501(c)(4), and every contribution will make a difference. You can make a pledge to donate here.
