How can one be both Catholic and Democrat at the same time?

Question

Isn't that contradictory since the Catholic church prohibits abortion, and the Democratic party promotes it as "pro choice"?

Answer 1

You can't be! That's like being a Catholic Jew...you either believe something or you don't. There is no gray area. I think that is America's problem...they vote for the "perks" of whatever it is that is being promised by the two parties (tax cuts, better employment opps, etc.), but not because of the moral beliefs of either party. And we wonder, when we take God out of the equation, why America seems to get worse as the decades go on...

Answer 2

Not all democrats are pro-choice. More to the point, the question should be, "How can one be both Catholic and pro-choice?"

A so-called "pro-choice Catholic" is a contradiction in terms. Given the Catholic Church's absolute respect for life from conception to natural death, there's no way anyone's pro-choice ideal can properly co-exist along with a proper understanding of the Catholic Faith.

Those who believe that one can be both Catholic and pro-choice, are living in fantasy land.

Answer 3

Yes, one can be Catholic and a Democrat. Pro choice doesn't mean you must have an abortion. It means that if a person chooses to terminate a pregnancy she has the legal right to do so. The choice is a personal choice between the woman and her Lord and no human should decree if that is right or wrong.

As a Catholic, I do not believe that I should deny anyone their rights as decreed by law. Separation of church and state.

Answer 4

There are very similar paradoxical situations from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Most Republicans seem to be opposed to abortion, while being in favor of the death penalty.
The Democrats may be in favor of a woman's right to choose, but opposed to the death penalty.
While, I believe the latter, makes more sense, since we are dealing with a woman's rights, not necessarily abortion, per se, it still allows for some mutually ambiguous thought\action. And, there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, in this country! Still... last I looked. Which simply means that ones' allegiance to any sect, should not control their governance.

Answer 5

Don't even go here! I work for the Catholic Church and deal with social justice issues on a daily basis. The Church is involved with tons of projects to help the poor, curb usage of capital punishment, coordinate disaster relief, help women who have been hurt by an abortion, promote environmental awareness and reach out to migrant workers. In truth being Catholic is not about being a Democrat or Republican. It involves Catholic Social Teaching and living the Gospel. Christ loved adulterers, prisoners, the poor, as well as people who are moral. Being moral is not about attacking people who you feel are not at your standard. Being moral is not just pursuing individual success, it's helping the less fortunate and poor. Being a Catholic is based in community not just helping yourself.
Read Vatican II and check out the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website for more about being Catholic.

Answer 6

The Catholic Church is not just against abortion, it is pro-life in the widest sense. This is often called a "Consistent Ethic of Life."

This pro-life stance stresses the highest regard for dignity of human life including that of:
- All people in objecting to unjust war and nuclear arms. (closer to Democratic platform)
- The unborn in objecting to to abortion, in fitro fertilization, frozen embryos, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning(closer to Republican platform)
- The elderly, sick and dying in objecting to assisted suicide and euthanazia (not sure about this)
- Prisoners in objecting to the death penalty (closer to Democratic platform)
- The poor and minorities in supporting social justice issues. (closer to Democratic platform)

Some Catholics are enthusiastically anti-abortion and align themselves with the Republican party.

When you look at the big picture, the Democratic party supports more "Catholic" issues so some Catholics are Democrats.

Neither party follows all Catholic teachings.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Easy , can't a Democrat believe in God ? I don't promote abortion . Don't paint us all with the same brush . The Democrats are free to agree or disagree with our party , unlike the Republicans who walk lock step together on everything .

Answer 8

You don't have to agree with your party's platform 100% of the time. If the Democrats represent your overall interests more than the Republicans do, then you can be a pro-life Democrat.

Answer 9

The democratic party is NOT pro-abortion. It is PRO-CHOICE. There is a huge difference.

Pro-choice means that while I might disagree with an abortion for myself, I belief society has no right to dictate to a woman what happens to her body.

Answer 10

I'm Catholic and I recently came to the conclusion that I am pro-choice, though I do realize that the Church doesn't want anyone to have the freedom of choice; they want to choose for you. I wonder how JFK managed? Oh, that's right, he separated the two. I guess that was OK for him. Oh....I'm also a conservative republican, too. Go figure...a thinking human being.