Keeping Faith With Religious Freedom

By E. J. Dionne Jr.

Saturday, June 25, 2005; Page A23

There was no obvious political benefit in David Obey's decision to take on the defense of religious minorities at the Air Force Academy. Because he stood up for their rights on the floor of the House of Representatives, the Wisconsin Democrat found himself accused of "denigrating and demonizing Christians."

Obey is unbowed. "I think if you asked God, he'd say the Ten Commandments were a road map for living," Obey said in a recent interview. "Instead, you have these self-appointed pharisees who think the Ten Commandments can be turned into a stiletto to use against their political opponents."