During the Democrat National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., the Democrats had several disputes over the party platform.

One of those disputes was over the exclusion of the word “God” in the platform. On Sept. 5, the convention had a motion brought before the floor by former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, an ordained United Methodist minister, to place the reference to God back in the party platform.

Party Chairman and Los Angeles, Calif. Mayor Antonio Villaraigrosa had a motion to accept the amendment brought by Strickland. In a voice vote, it appeared the “No” votes had it, as a two-thirds vote was required. After several voice votes, the reference to God was officially placed in the Democrat party platform anyway.

Mayes County Democrat Party Chairwoman Amy Sparks said, “I believe in God and I believe America is a Christian country, but I know we have to respect the beliefs of other religions. I think the sad connection we have today to God is through a lot of radical churches that claim to quote the Bible - they hate. I hate the Republican attitude of ‘go do it yourself.’” She said she didn’t understand what the convention controversy was about.

Mayes County Sheriff Frank Cantey said he was unaware of the controversy. “I watched about 30 seconds of Clinton on CNN. I’d vote for him if he ran again. This is not really my thing.” His successor Mike Reed had no comment on the controversy.

Rep. Ben Sherrer said he only watched the Bill Clinton speech and President Obama’s speech. “I’m surprised that’s an issue at all because everyone should live up to their God-given potential.” Sherrer thought the platform should include a reference to God.

Former Pryor Mayor Lucy Belle Schultz was aware of the controversy and thought it was foolish for the party to fight over a reference to God. “I believe in God and I don’t mind saying it. If you don’t believe in God, you are in a hell of a mess because you are here because of God. God has blessed this nation. Anyone who didn’t want it in there (God in the party platform) is an idiot.”

At the party convention, the Democrats argued over reference to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The convention amended the reference to Jerusalem after hearing several complaints from Jewish groups.