Thursday, June 6, 2002

Democrats add "separation of church and state" to party platform

For the first time in state history, a major political party has adopted support for the separation of church and state as part of its official platform. The new provision adds the following language to the preamble.

"We believe in the separation of church and state."

"The new provision passed on a voice vote overwhelmingly," according to a party delegate.

Although the Democratic Party has long supported civil rights, this new provision establishes a welcome precedent in support of secular government.

All elected officials take the Oath of Office* to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Hawaii…. (*Article XVI, Section 4)

By adding the "separation" provision to the platform, the Democratic Party has clarified and reinforced the principle embodied in the oath. Party members will now have to uphold the policy if they are to remain in good standing.

By their actions Republicans are mostly certainly opposed to the separation of church and state, but there are also a handful of Democrats in Hawaii (e.g., David Matsuura, Jeremy Harris) who need reminding that they must place the Constitution above their own religious beliefs.

We congratulate the Democratic Party for its inclusive policies and respect for religious (and non-religious) minorities.

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Hawaii Democratic Party Platform
Official Party Website - www.hawaiidemocrats.org

Addition to Democrat preamble questioned
The Garden Island News - June 30, 2002