Catholics, do you know your political responsibility?

Question

If I could speak directly to Catholics (like me), you have a moral responsibility to participate in the electoral process and to vote consistent with the values of our Catholic faith. A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who is for abortion, gay marriage, the morning after pill, and embryonic stem cell research. The war in Iraq is important, but holds a lesser moral standing than the murder of over 4000 innocent babies each day. We could be one of the most powerful voting blocks in the country, yet we water down our strength (and degrade our faith) when "Kerry Catholics" embrace a Democratic platform that is almost entirely inconsistent with our faith. The Democratic Party of 40 years ago is gone. I didn't leave them, they left me.

Does anyone else see it the same way?

I'm not overly surprised by the responses. Just want to offer a few responses to questions raised:

1) I do not "justify" sexual abuse done by priests. They are criminals. However, the other 96% of priests live their vocation with fidelity. The fact that abuse happened does not negate my faith.

2) My view is entirely consistent with the US Conf of Catholic Bishops. It also clearly states that there are a myriad of social issues to consider, but the first is the sanctity of human life i.e. Abortion.

3) There are circumstances where capital punishment is permissible. This is not an inconsistency. Learn your catechism.

4) The Catholic Church does not endorse candidates. However, they are within their rights as a religious congregation to advise their members as to the positions politicians take on certain issues.

5) If a democrat ran on a platform consistent with my faith against a republican who was not, I would vote for the dem.

Answer 1

--Is Catholic--

Yes, you express exactly what the Catholic position is. There are a lot of bishops in America that would disagree with you but then again they disagree with the Pope. I would rather be with the Pope than with them.

I suggest that all these people and bishops included read "THE PARTICIPATION OF CATHOLICS IN POLITICAL LIFE" which governs and informs the conscience of all Catholic world wide.
http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFPOLIF.HTM

Here in WI, the Catholic bishops are very good and have instructed all Catholics that we should join them in acting out our civil responsibilities and Catholic Faith by voting for the constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages. In Nebraska, the Bishops there are very good and are instructing their faithful to be Catholic and vote to ban all abortions.

So there is progress and hope.

All of this doesn't mean that we Catholics are shills for the Republican party or any party. We vote based on an informed conscious guided by our living relationship with Christ and His Church to build a better society for all peoples of all religions. As Catholics, our faith instructs us to be the best of citizens. That doesn't mean making other people Catholic but rather helping to promote a truly just society based on reason, responsibility, and the common good.

Answer 2

I certainly do. Three chear for you. If only the cafeteria Catholics would check into these things what a difference that would make. Unfortunately, many Catholics don't seem to realize these are tenets of our faith and have always been. They need to check out the Catechism. Why say you're Catholic if you don't believe what the Church teaches. These topics are a basic signpost as to what a person thinks both ethiccally and morally. I want to see an ethical, moral person in the leadership of the states and country. Separation of Church and state was not in the constitution. This statement was used to support non taxation of Churches. To everyone who doesn't know these things, please don't accept my word for it. Check it out.

By the way, (answers already received) I find it very interesting that just because someone says they are no longer a Democrat, the assumption is they are Republican. I don't consider myself Republican or Democrat. I vote the issues.

To the person who asked how we justify sex crimes in the Catholic Church I ask, "What ever makes you think we do?" We're just as upset as everyone else, but remember, the Catholic Church is made up of people and people commit crimes. They aren't exempt because they are Catholic. Every denomination has sinners. We're all sinners and working to change.

A past democrat too.

Answer 3

I don't think the Catholic Church should tell you how to vote. And if they do, can't they lose their tax exempt status as a religious organization?

You say "A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who is for abortion, gay marriage, the morning after pill, and embryonic stem cell research" How do you know unless a priest or bishop has said so? And why would capital punishment not be on the list? Isn't that the taking of a life? .

Answer 4

No, I do not see it the same way and I am a Catholic. I voted for Kerry bevcause I foresaw how Bush would trash the civil liberties of people.

You are out of step with the US catholic Bishops Conference. We must look at ALL of the social justice issues, not just the ones that George Bush wants us to look at.

The Republican Party has a very strong UNCHRISTIAN agenda of illegal wiretaps and denying human rites to anyone they wish to declare an enemy combatant including imprisonment without charging a person with a crime, denying persons legal representation, suspending habeous corpus and using torture in interrogation.

As a Catholic, I am voting straight Democratic ticket and I urge all Christians to vote Christina and do the same.

Answer 5

Ah, another candidate for the Operation Politically Homeless!!!

You see, the problem is not that Catholics are no longer being served for their loyalty to the Democratic Party, it is that NO ONE is being served for their loyalty to either the Democrats or Republicans. They have both become so enmeshed in the bureaucracy that does not change with the administration change. It is the bureaucracy that is the real enemy, and that is largely supported by both parties, spare me the details.

Vote Libertarian for a change.

Answer 6

The Democratic of 40 years ago used to be what to current Republican party now supports.

Answer 7

Not this catholic. First of all the republican party has their fare share of gays (usually closet gays until they get caught in something), abortionists, thieves, murders,and liars.

It is every voter's responsibility to educate themselves on the candidates and what they stand for. Taking information second hand from just anyone allows people to be sheep.


As a side note - how do you come to terms with the sex abuse cases that continue to plague the catholic church? How do you justify that in your mind?

Answer 8

This is a prime reason why seperation of church and state is so important. Your line of thinking closely resembles that of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

And it always amuses me that people who regularly attend a church where their religious leaders routinely homosexually molest young children attempt to discredit the Democrats on morality issues.

Answer 9

I personally see the war as more important. And the Catholic faith left me when the priest refused to give me an annullment when I divorced my exhusband for beating me.

Answer 10

Ya your responsibility is to not mix your religon with politics!
LOOK at our country you GOD freaks! It is almost GONE!!!!