Catholic bishops instruct voters // Whats next , who to vote for ?? Is this Biblical teaching being told?

Question

They cant even vote for there own Pope and now there being told what and probably who to vote for >The Bible warns us to keep the laws of govt unless it goes against God's law , not the church law . .Im sure some catholics have there own moral standard and dont have to be told what to do ,. At least they would if the followed the bible

Answer 1

The Church is primarily a spiritual body. But she is also a moral teacher.

If people are going to make moral issues into political ones then they should not complain when the Church uses its freedoms of speech and religion.

When you look at the 1.1 billion believers worshiping in over 200,000 parishes worldwide you can see that the Catholic Church is a spiritual entity.

However the Church is also a moral teacher and has been teaching the world what it believes God thinks is right and wrong (morality) for almost 2,000 years.

The Church looks to protect human dignity and human rights and does not for look for political power. Church leaders are barred from political office by Church law (not civil law).

Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Catholic Church has been teaching Christian citizens and world governments what it believes is right and wrong since the ancient Romans stopped persecuting it and long before anyone heard of the freedom of speech.

The Catholic Church protested about the blood sports in the Roman Colosseum and they were stopped.

The Catholic Church supported the Polish Solidarity movement and the Soviet Union fell apart.

I don't think the Church is going to (or should) stop teaching us or world governments what is right or wrong now.

Remember the Catholic Church proposes. It does not impose.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Hello,

Two observations here:

1) Excuse me, up until now since the early 80's it has been the protestant evangelical movement that has had the biggest mouth on telling people how to vote. Check out the cable stations again, listen to Pat Robertson through to Rev. Hagee.

2) That said the Catholic Bishops would not be foolish enough to instruct the lay people to vote for Mr X and that party or else. First they would lose their tax status and then their credibility so no one would trust or elect any RC to office just like in the 18, 19 centuries. What they say is to vote according to your moral beliefs, some of which were taught to you through Christianity. Abortion or gay marriage aside, if a Southern senator like Duke got into a position of running for power and wanted to disenfranchise the blacks and bring back slavery would it not be wrong for those institutions who are against it to suggest we vote against those policies.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 3

Please remember that it was among adherents of the Quaker (Society of Friends) religion that the anti-slavery movement first got going in the 19th century.

Quakers worked and lobbied very hard to awaken the consciences of the American people against the evils of slavery. They did this because their religious beliefs encouraged the to do so. And many Americans searched their own hearts and consciences, and found that they agreed with them.

This was not a case of the Quakers instructing the American people. It was a case of men and women of conscience speaking and working to awaken the consciences of their fellow citizens.

That's precisely what the Catholic bishops should do. And most Catholics are grateful for their guidance and leadership, as they then go on to prayerfully consider their own voting decisions.

And many non-Catholics are listening, too.

Answer 4

Calm down. We're not being told "who" to vote for. As a matter of fact, it's going to be a rather tough decision. But this is not something new -- the bishops have issued this reminder every election year since the mid-70s or so.

I vote my conscience, but it is my faith that informs my conscience. Isn't it the same for you? No, I don't *need* the bishops to tell me what to do (and by the way I do read the Bible, was that gratuitous comment absolutely necessary?). But it is appropriate for them to remind us of our responsibilities as CHRISTIAN voters.

I'm not even going to address the ridiculousness of electing a Pope by popular vote.

Suffice it to say that the "separation of church and state", as intended in the Constitution and not loosely (and erroneously) interpreted, hasn't been breached by this.

Answer 5

You didn't even bother to read the bishops' statement, obviously. If you had, you'd have seen this:

"In this statement, we bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote," a statement from the bishops explained. "Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God's truth. We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election."

Answer 6

The bible warns us to keep government law but not church law? Then what's the point?

We must respect and submit to authority, but not when it legalizes actions that are morally wrong (like abortion). How is it wrong for me to follow my conscious and the teachings of my Catholic faith for a political election?

These arguments are nothing more than attempts to control and squash the Faith. We're now supposed to separate our Faith-life from our secular-life, placing the faith on the back burner. Hogwash.

The bible tells me to follow it ALL THE TIME, EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE. So then, when it's time to vote, I follow the bible and His Church on that too.

Answer 7

The American Catholic Bishops are a rogue organization that even popes have had to chastize in the past for getting involved with election year politics that harm Americans.

Answer 8

This is biblical. How can one in good conscience vote for an abortionist candidate like Clinton of Giuliani.

It is okay for Bishops to speak to their flock on spiritual matters.

Answer 9

it definatly sounds wrong to me voting should be a personal choice.