Why do Catholics side with Republicans?

Question

Republicans are bad just like any political party, and just because they oppose gay marriage, and abortion, doesnt make them a Christian party. They still approve of war, capital punishment, oppose social programs. Catholics should be above this political party nonsense and vote like Catholics.

I'm not siding with Democrats either, so dont try to bring that up people.

Answer 1

Unfortunately no U.S. political party has a platform in line with Catholic social teaching.

The Catholic Church 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 vitro fertilization, frozen embryos, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning (closer to Republican platform)
+ The elderly, sick and dying in objecting to assisted suicide and euthanasia (closer to Republican platform)
+ 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 2

Wow we have stumbled upon a few myths here. First off there are quiet a few catholic women who vote democrat. There are some men too but a much higher percentage of catholic women.
As for republicans opposing social programs. Don't believe it.
If anything the republican politician are more in support of welfare then anything.
Just like at the last few years. 1 in 6 people on some form of public assistance. Higher then at any other time in history. They oppose abortion so that's a gareentee of welfare explosion if abortion ever becomes illegal.
When natural disasters happened before this adminstration funds were given to get people back on thier feet. Then people were on their own to rebuild. With this one it was we will help you rebuild. These people think they got thier checks and we were still going to rebuild for them. They were granted monthly check, and even almost 2 years later people we allowed to reup for the checks.
So if it's welfare that a person believes this country needs then vote republican.

Answer 3

If one party mirrors the belief of a religion it is only natural that support is garnered by that party.
Democrats
Gay Marriage
Abortion
Women in the priesthood
Political Correctness
Supremacy of the State

Republicans
Anti Abortion
Anti Gay Rights
Religious Self determination
Religious sponsored social programs
Power to the individual
Catholics vote their self interest
The left cares for their interest alone.

War is a State activity
as is Capital punishment The Church might oppose it but the Irish are for it.

Answer 4

Catholics have traditionally voted Democrat. Remember John Kennedy? Come to think of it the last Democratic Presidential candidate (Kerry) was Catholic too.

Unions used to be heavily Catholic and heavily supported by the Catholic church too.

In recent years the Democrats have left their political roots and have morphed into liberal socialists. So many Catholics are finding that they can no longer support them. However that said, most Hispanic citizens are Democrats, and they're Catholic.

Answer 5

I'm a practicing Catholic and I am a Democrat. The Church and I don't always agree but that's the way things are. I've always looked at the Church as an intermediary between God and me - sometimes breaking the chain of command, so to speak, and going directly to God for answers is the better choice.

Answer 6

Republicans are not totally coherent with Catholic principles because they use war as a form of settling disputes although they are anti-gay marriage and abortion. Thus, Catholics must vote for the person who totally addresses their concerns and must not be solidly supporting the Republicans.

Answer 7

Socialism isn't a catholic value. Socialism devalues individuals in order to empower the state. God is pro-individual, not pro-earthly kingdom. Democrats believe in socialism, and think morality depends on what feels good to us humans, and not about what's in the bible.
EDIT -
travolta,
The bible is not "filled" with rich-bashing. Solomon was one of the richest men alive, and blessed by God. Job was rich, and given his riches by God, according to the bible. Being RICH isn't a virtue, however, but turning the bible into the communist manifesto by making it a "rich bashing book", is going a little too far. There is only one quote in the bible that "bashes" the rich, which we all know too well.
Also, there is a differnce between "social" and "socialism". It has to do with little g instead of big G.

Answer 8

eelfins,

You have it totally wrong. The bible is filled with rich bashing and help the poor scripture. It is a fact that the guy who came up with the pledge of allegience was a christian socialist. Christian liberation theory is very popular in latin America. "Social gospel" christianity also used to be very popular in America especially in the northeast.

"Democrats believe in socialism generally, and think morality depends on what feels good to us humans, and not about what's in the bible."

You guys define absolute morality as what God wants. Well first of all, what religion? Second of all, what interpretation of that religion. Southern christians used the same Bible you do to support slavery. I wonder if they believed in "absolute morality" as well.

Answer 9

Tough to vote for abortion supporters, it is a real deal breaker for those that care...

Answer 10

I'm Catholic and I don't side with the Repug NeoCons. Nor a lot of our Catholic Church members. Not all Catholics are radicals. Nor are all Evangelicals radicals.