Anti-Abortion Catholics for Obama?

There are those of us who care as much for the born as the unborn.

Americans dont need religion involved in their government period. If you are against abortion dont have one. But in this country right to privacy is the ultimate freedom. Obama and Biden are pro choice, but both are against abortion. Im Catholic and dont want to hear my church moralizing about my tax dollars at work, especially when i give everytime I walk into church. They act like they are the only religion in the world.
The catholic church isnt going to put money in my 401k, or help me retire.
What about the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis that we killed? exactly
Obama 08

The answer to this and all questions about this election is -
If you are AGAINST America than you are for Obama and if you are FOR America than you are against Obama.
Could not be simplier!

Many of the Catholic churches have had their compassion taken as stupidity. Their charities unwittingly fund many activities that would offend church members if they realized what was going on.
Another Obama connection to supporters of Farrakhan comes from Obama’s chief political strategist- David Axelrod.WND reported this week Axelrod sits on the finance committee of St. Sabina- the Chicago Catholic parish that was led by controversial pastor Michael Pfleger- an outspoken Farrakhan supporter who hosted the Nation of Islam chief at his parish several times.

As a Catholic, I agree with this story.
I remember McCain going on Nightline in November 2001 (2 years before we invaded) and talking about attacking Iraq.
I hold Senator McCain directly responsible for over 4100 American lives lost for no reason. Over 30,000 Americans wounded for no reason. Over $700 billion spent on Iraq for no reason. Families torn apart because our military is sent to Iraq over and over again, for no reason.

IT IS NO ONES BUSINESS WHAT WOMEN DO WITH THEIR BODIES AND MCCAIN AND BRAINLESS WILL KEEP THEIR LAWS OFF MY BODY!

I am Catholic and have already voted for Obama. I am not a one issue voter and there are far more issues that the Church supports that are generally favored by Democrats. I would summarize my beliefs by reciting what Sister Helen Prejean said in Iowa City a number of years ago when speaking against reinstatement of the death penalty (we still don’t have it here, thank God) about what her positio was on abortion. Her reply was that she of course was against it, but that “you people have to learn to take care of the baby after its birth too.” This is a nicer way of saying what Barney Frank said about the anti choice hard right who believed that life begins at conception and ends at birth. At one time the Republicans were much more pro choice, based on libertarian principles as summarized by Goldwater’s statement that abortion was none of the government’s God damned business (he held that view on a number of other things as well). The Church’s position is even weaker when its unrelenting view on artificial birth control is discussed which is hardly ever brought up in sermons anymore as the numbers,even in the pews, are nearly as close as they are on abortion being permitted under law.

Agreed!! The choice is more than clear. I do not condone abortion per se, but I also do not condone the killing of so many innocent people in Iraq, when you inflict an unjust war on another country. I do not condone torture on others. There are so many views on everything, and being such an imperfect world, I would pick the leader who is more perfect than the other, and will accept his imperfections. If this were a perfect world, we have not seen it yet. But to overcome some of these imperfections, Obama is surely the one who can help us more than an erratic and angry demented person like McSame, part of the team who have helped drive us to the brink of disaster.

It is a woman’s choice.

MIguy wrote:There are those of us who care as much for the born as the unborn.
Well said.

carl, let me ask you this. There are plenty of women that choose to put their baby up for adoption. Look how many have been waiting for a home. How many of those have you adopted.

To pro war Catholics. On judgement day when confronted with the 400mm murdered humans what will be your defense when they ask why you supported those who killed us

Right Wing Flip Sweat:
I take issue with you. Sean Hannity is no journalist!

I’m a traditional Catholic and pro-life voter… and I am backing Obama.
Primarily, I am looking at several things:
1) Reducing the infant mortality rate.
2) Increased funding for programs which will help pregnant women and their children.
3) Preventing wars.
4) Improving working relationships with pro-choice politicians to find common ground on life issues.
I am not sure what McCain would do to reduce the number of abortions… but as I reflect back on the Clinton legacy… it is obvious that in spite of Clinton’s stated policies, the number of abortions went down under his leadership. Under Republicans, they just push the abortion issue around, but meanwhile you get all these other really tragic and unsavory anti-life policies.
It’s not a great deal. And it is always frought with moral peril, to select either of the main candidates, but this year I have to vote for what is going to be a net positive for my #1 cause.
I am done using my vote to “make a statement”… I want to use my vote to actually preserve and honor human life. And Obama, in spite of his many flaws, is the better of the two in this regard.

I don’t know anyone who had an abortion. At least anyone who would acknowledge it. I guess they may feel some guilt, or maybe regret. An unwanted pregnancy is certainly inconvenient and I guess embarrassing to a young person. I read a story about a man whose wife died and he left his kids at the hospital because he couldn’t feed them. He was desperate, but choose an honorable alternative. I don’t think a true catholic would support abortion candidates.

GoUSA247:
You listen to too much Sean Hannity–radical rightwing conspiracy theorist.

I associated myself with the remarks of Nick Cafardi,LLD. I am a Jesuit-trained physician and remain a practicing Catholic. The Church teachings on “life” encompass as well as reach far beyond abortion. We remain the one and only one Church to side with life, from abortion, to the death penalty, the environment, the poor and unjust wars.
Abortions have and always will occur. Some are induced others are naturally occurring.The issue is not that of an individual’s choice, that is sacrosanct in both the free-will dogma as well as in a free-society.
It is only when a nation/state chooses to impose its will to abort one or many will this Catholic physician side with anti-abortionists.
Note: Bill Donohue believes himself to be a “c”hurch onto himself.

Bill, I am catholic. Although I don’t support abortion, I would never want it to be illegal either. I do believe in choice.

annie: – You ignore the stories headline. Can a Catholic support a Pro-Abortion candidate? Catholic teaching is perfectly clear, no ambiguity whatsoever, we cannot.

Bill… you are wrong.

Blip: A disagreement, how suprising. please show me the Catholic teaching that lays out how Catholics can support a candidate such as Barack Obama and his positions. you cannot. You draw up a hypothethital with no basis in fact. I would suggest you remain based in reality. God Bless you.

Blip:
You are well-versed and well-read in the ways of our Church. As a Jesuit-trained physician I commend you for framing the discussion in a manner befitting a learned person.
God Bless

A few will vote for Obama, just like a few blacks will vote for McCain.

mister bill;
those are not the words of the late The Holy See, those words are yours as you thought you heard the Holy Father.
I am a Catholic, a physician, 59 years old and trained/educated by Jesuits. Read the excellent post by one named Blip, ponder it instead of recalibrating the words of others. Show more respect for the Holy Father by reading his writings on the poor, the Iraq War, the death penalty and Mother Earth.

annie: I respectfully disagree with your opinion on women priests but understand why many people believe the time has come, but that is not the issue at hand. In this race, concerning women, when it comes to equal pay, John McCain is paying his female employees a wage equal to or greater than their male counterparts. That is not the case in the Obama campaign were women are being paid less.

Jeanie, don’t tell me I’m wrong. This is how I feel and I am not alone. Yes, I am a catholic but I do have a mind of my own and can disagree where I see fit.

By the way, Mr. Green Jeans…. thanks for the support.
I get so angry when people try to bend that Catholic Church to serve short-sighted secular purposes.
I would never tell someone that AS A CATHOLIC, they are required to support a particular candidate.
Such thinking is a recipe for manipulation and deception. Catholics must be savvy and dynamic in pursuit of the good policies which promote the dignity of the human person. Sure, these changes have to happen at a federal level…. but they also have to happen at the very personal level.
While a law might protect a baby, what can a law do for the soul of a poor, single mother who comes to the tragic conclusion that she wishes the life within her could be destroyed.
How did we become a society which sees human life as a threat and a curse, something to fear, rather than to celebrate.
Too many people live in fear. Can you imagine having no job, no help, and asking yourself whether or not your child is better off dead?
This is an absolute shame of our society. Simply passing a law is not going to change this. The culture itself must be transformed. We, as a society, must restore dignity and hope to the mother, so that she will see her child as a blessing.
The crude, pro-life/pro-choice dichtomy that springs up every time an election rolls around misses the point completely.

Blip:
You are very much welcome, by the looks of things you need no support from me or any other in regards to the discussion.
Sadly even our brothers and sisters over-simplify Church teachings and dogma into bumper sticker slogans. It is one thing to see the dumbing of America it is quite another to see our brothers and sisters in Christ ignore the depth of our Lord and of our Mother, The Church.
To your missive, legislating morality is a fool’s folly. If morality could be legislated we would exist only as a church/state. Sadly our brothers and sisters wish for that which is not in God’s Plan, the destruction of free thought, free will and free choice. All of which form the foundation of our great country.
You are what is best in a Catholic, inquisitive yet fact-based. May the Lord be with you.

When I see people agreeing with each over over these boards, saying “yes, your right about the Church and Abortion’s OK” I’m reminded of another very similar chant. “Give Us Barrabbas!”

Bill, I am not saying abortion is OK. I fight it how I can.

Sarah Palin is for “state’s rights.” That sounds a whole lot like being pro-choice. So why can pro-life Catholics support her?

Bill;
The Faithful chant Gregorian not barbarian. Catholics are not of one mind only of one Church.
Not a single professed Catholic wrote in support or condone abortion, none that I could find. You are prone to “miss” characterizing not only the Holy See but all that you see through very narrow eyes.
Abortion is a sin as is judging or placing words in the mouths of others Mister Bill.

TO ALL OF YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS:
THIS IS NOT ABOUT BEING LEFT OR RIGHT, THIS IS ABOUT BEING CATHOLIC. THERE ARE CERTAIN ISSUES WITHIN THE CATHOLIC TEACHINGS THAT ARE NON NEGOTIABLE. OBAMA IS AN ADVOCATE/SUPPORTER OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD, A SUPPORTER OF ABORTION INCLUDING PARITAL BIRTH ABORTION OF FULL TERM INFANTS AND SUBSEQUENTLY VOTED AGAINST PROVIDING LIFE SAVING HEALTH CARE FOR INFANTS WHO SURVIVED THE BLOTCHED ABORTION RESULTING IN INFANTICIDE. CLEARLY THESE ARE NOT TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. BEING CATHOLIC IS HARD IN THESE TIMES. I AM NOT SURE WHEN IT BECAME EN VOGUE TO COMPROMISE YOUR MORALS AND VALUES TO BE DEEMED “IN TOUCH.” I WILL VOTE A TICKET THAT PROMOTES PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PRO LIFE BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Just happend Today…Democrat Ed Schultz raido talk show host from 820am WCPT in Chicago Just called Sarah Palin a “Political Whore”….
I am so offend..

green: Thats what you do. Cafeteria Catholics, read what suits you, interpert it to fit your desires and run with it, I understand. The only problem is it’s wrong. Please continue to attack me at a personal level, it does not change the Church’s teachings that Catholics cannot support Pro-Abortion candidates.

I’m Catholic, and I completely agree with Mr. Cafardi. His reasonings make complete sense. McCain will not be able to get anything changed on abortion, and there are a lot of other important issues on the table as well. I am for the greater good of the nation, and can’t just vote for someone simply because he is pro-life, eventhough I disagree with almost the rest of his policies.

Posted by: Bill | Oct 7, 2008 11:43:36 AM
Bill – As a Catholic man, please do not tell me how I should think! We might be of the same faith, but I do have a mind of my own too!

Bill, the Catholic Church also does not condone unjust wars and, ergo, the candidates who support them. The war in Iraq does not meet the standards of a “just war” by Catholic teaching as you are well aware.

Andrew: Nobody is telling you how to think, think away, to your hearts content. The issue is can Catholics support Pro-Abortion candidates, and not one person today has yet to refute my statement that the Catholic church teaches against the support of such a candidate.

It’s not just Catholics. The Matthew 25 Network has launched a website called “Pro Life/Pro Obama”. Google it.

CATHOLICS FOR MCCAIN/PALIN ’08. REAL CATHOLICS, REAL LEADERS!

I am catholic and would NEVER vote for Obama. There are many other reasons also, but his pro-choice record is more liberal than any other democrat in congess. He voted yes for late term abortions. He was the only one to vote no to medical assistance for babies who live after a failed abortion. He supported the bill that states girls under 18 can get an abortion, and cross state lines without their parents consent.
He is not just a democrat, he is too far left with his radical and liberal positions.
He has no experience, and is untested for the crisis’ that we face today.
Let’s not forget the radical associations of Ayers, Jerimiah Wright, Rezko (whose about to start spilling the beans), and endorsements by Hamas, Hezbollah, and Louis Farakhan.
This guy is too scary just being a senator. He would not pass a background check for employment, why should we trust his judgement with the presidency?

Billy Boy
Assuming you are an American Catholic
1. “The Constitution succinctly defines presidential functions, powers, and responsibilities. The president’s chief duty is to make sure that the laws are faithfully executed…”,
2. Roe vs. Wade is the law
3.Regardless of Senators’ McCAin or Obama’s “views” as president they MUST faithfully execute the laws…
4. A vote for either candidate is a vote for legalized and restricted abortions.
5. Catholics are aware of this paradox as was Pope John Paul II. He wrote extensively on this in many Doctrinal Notes as well as in his Encyclical Letters.
6. You should be ashamed of yourself for not understanding either the duty of the President or for neglecting to read Papal Papers.

McCain was losing and had to dig dirt, Well, Palin and McCain it BACKFIRED…
BREAKING NEWS AT: TIME.COM…..
McCain Linked to Group in Iran-Contra Affair–
In the 1980s, McCain served on the advisory board to the U.S. chapter of an international group linked to ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America.
The council created by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub was the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League, an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. After setting up the U.S. council, Singlaub served as the international leagues chairman.
The council created by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub was the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League, an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. After setting up the U.S. council, Singlaub served as the international leagues chairman. Obama/Biden

Then there is the fallacy that making abortion illegal will somehow automatically reduce abortion.
If this were so, then Brazil, a Catholic country where abortion is outlawed would have the lowest rate of abortion, instead of one of the highest in the world.
There are much fewer abortions per capita in the United Kingdom, a Protestant nation where abortion is not only legal but also funded by the government. Of course, the U.K. also funds health care for expectant women and has generous child care benefits.
I am a practicing Catholic and I agree with former President Clinton that abortion should be safe, legal and RARE.

Have people forgotten that OBAMA promised in July 2007 to Planned Parenthood, to sign FOCA(Freedom of Choice Act) as soon as possible after becoming president. There is absolutely no argue or rational any praticing Catholic could use to support OBAMA.

It is so sad to see how many “so-called” Catholics are completely clueless about their faith (you can partially blame Vatican II for this great tragedy). First of all, let’s make it clear that neither candidate comes close to passing the Catholic litmus test. Second, Catholics are Catholic first, American second! However, many of the response scare me and I feel obligated to correct my fellow Catholics (this is not meant to offend or persuade non-Christians).
Error number 1: Believing that voting for a pro-life platform is not going to save lives anyway, so you might as well just vote for a pro murder platform. This ideology is completely false and not based on Catholic theological moral teachings. If you like Democrats, then you should stop voting for them until they change their party platform to pro-life. At least with Republicans, you will get conservative judges. With liberal judges you will get pro murder, pro gay marriage, pro sexualized society, anti-Catholic and Christian indoctrination and much more (the list goes on).
Error number 2: Roe vs. Wade is the law so we should just give up the fight. First, wasn’t abortion illegal before it was legal? Anyway, this is a democracy; and for as long as this is a democracy, the law is dynamic and can change due to public opinion. Besides, the decision on Roe vs. Wade lacked the scientific advancements of today and was deemed then as inconclusive on when life begins (read the ruling). As a Catholic, The law doesn’t matter on this issue anyway. The law didn’t matter for the thousands of Catholic martyrs during the Roman Empire either. They shed their blood in gruesome ways for the faith regardless. We can’t even save the unborn, and all we have to do is pick up a latte on the way to the voting booth (Our Lady pray for us!).
Error number 3: It’s my body so let me do what I want with it. This one is easy. A baby in “your body” is simply not your soul. It belongs to GOD! You are just the caretaker of that soul and you will be judged on your ability to protect it (it is your duty, and of course, your free will). Remember, God is all loving, perfect and just. Not to mention, we have a moral obligation to help sinners go to Heaven too.
Error number 4: What about the Iraq war, is it unjust? This is a matter of opinion not moral Catholic teachings. The Pope merely has an opinion about the war. It is not binding like the obvious murder of the unborn. A Catholic can legitimately struggle on the issue of the Iraq war because there are enough compelling arguments on both sides of the issue (i.e. evil regime, defensive war, and read St Thomas Aquinas).
Error number 5: Death penalty is like murder. This is another example of Catholics suffering from the “I’m better than Christ” syndrome. Now let’s look at this one very carefully. Again, Catholics have every right to believe that capital punishment is wrong. However, this is a matter of opinion, not moral truth. In order for capital punishment to be morally wrong certain conditions must exist (again read Saint Thomas Aquinas). For the sake of space, I will just stick to the easy one. Unlike a prisoner on death row, an aborted baby has very little chance of being baptized, freed from original sin and going to Heaven. Simple as that folks! Stop playing God and stop playing Church Catholics. Your decisions should be easy. As Catholics, we do not have a moral obligation to vote for either one of these bozos but we have a moral obligation to be Catholic first, American second.

Sorry rhl but you are wrong….just war theory, climate for life, whatever that means, are NOT Dogma and may be argued within the Church. However, respect for life from cradle to grave which includes the grave twin depravities of ethanasia and abortion is Dogma. A Catholic is risking his soul by voting for a Pro-death Candidate.

To Mary (and confused Catholics)
Conditions for Mortal Sin
1: Grievous Matter – its subject must be a grave or serious matter.
2: Sufficient reflection – It must be committed with full knowledge, both of the sin and of the gravity of the offense (though nobody is deemed to be ignorant of the moral law, embedded into the consciences of every human being).
3: Full Consent of the Law – It must be committed with deliberate and complete consent, enough for it to have been a personal decision to commit the sin.
Condition for “Just War.”
(St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, IIa IIae, Q. 40, Art. 1):
1: It must be declared and waged by the lawful authority of a sovereign entity. 2: It must be fought objectively for a good cause (defense against an unjust attack, recovery of something unjustly taken, or punishment of an unjust aggression. 3: It must be fought subjectively with the right intention, to arrive at a just peace, a just order of things, given each nation its due (not for greed, cruelty, etc.).
In prudence (practical wisdom), four circumstances must also pertain:
1: The good to be gained by restoring justice must be proportionate to the evils that can be anticipated 2: It must be as certain as can be that there really was an injustice committed 3: The injustice must have harmed major, and not just minor, interest of the nation injured 4: War must be the sole means available of re-establishing justice; after all peaceful measures were unable to remedy the situation.
There is clear and obvious problem with comparing the Iraq War with Abortion. First, Catholics who favor the Pro-murder platform (like many here) know that abortion is evil. Hence, this individual has made “Sufficient reflection” and is deemed guilty of mortal sin. Yet, they also believe that the Iraq War is un-just or evil. In this situation, one might be morally obligated to not vote for either candidate or party platform. However, a Catholic who is, justifiably so, fearful of terrorism (especially after 9/11) and find comfort by our government’s actions to defend our country, could actually vote Republican with a clear conscience. As you can see by Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Theologica and conditions for Just War, the Iraq War remains debatable and complicated, especially since neither we nor the Pope has access to all the classified information required to make such declaration a fact (i.e. an un-just war). Let it be clear that the Pope has every right to believe that the War “might” be un-just, however, we are absolutely not required to share this “opinion.”
Look, vote how you want. This is only to help those who need extra guidance on this very grave matter. I honestly believe that if Catholics (who make up 24% of the US population) refused to vote Democrat years ago (since the platform of death), this would not be in issue today. We Catholics have a lot of blood on our hands (over 50 million babies). Much prayer and penance is in order (not bickering about which egotist should be president).

Sarah Palin has said that she is for state’s rights. She believes it should be up to the state to decide. If this is so any woman will be able to cross the state line to have an abortion. So we get nut case McCain and alot of states “doing their own thing.” Great.

Your right Mary…
Both candidates are basically losers!

My family and I have been active parishioners of the Santa Fe parishes for over ninety years. My grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts made their First Holy Communion in local parishes, as did my siblings, cousins and I. My grandfather worked tirelessly for the church volunteering his time, doing construction, in the 1950′s. Over these ninety years we have known many priests and have contributed a great amount of our time and money to the parishes of Santa Fe. Like all the parishioners, we are not a unit or a “flock” who follow without deep contemplation. We are thoughtful individuals who take our lives and our faith very seriously.
I am extremely disappointed and disturbed by recent actions of our local parishes, since I’ve always thought of our priests as intelligent men; that they are, through whatever instruction, taking a political stand from the pulpit at this critical time in American history, and commanding (Grammatically, “(You)vote pro-life.” is a complete, commanding sentence.) parishioners to vote Republican; i.e. against Udall, Lujǻn, Obama and Biden.
This is done through implication that parishioners should vote against any candidate who does not agree with the five non-negotiable issues, as stated on:
1. Banners with the phrase vote pro-life super-imposed on the American flag (further implying through visual imagery that voting “pro-life” is an American stance) and displayed openly outside our sacred parish for all citizens to see (Then expound at the pulpit with religious authority, as we heard in Mass, to defend its implication to anyone who would rightly be offended regarding this legal issue). Why not a similar banner saying “get out of Iraq now”?
2. Instructional booklets, Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics, left near or next to the Holy Water(!)…The Holy Water, where we have all our lives blessed ourselves as we enter the church for serenity and spiritual comfort……next to a political pamphlet which supports the party (Republican) which sent us into an unjust war, where many innocent people have been killed, some say murdered; and
3. Sunday bulletins; all of these paid for by the contributions of your hard-working parishioners, like my family, who did not realize their donations would be used for political pursposes.
My family members were offended that you would use our contributions to the church, as this is taking advantage for political purposes. The Republicans party, who you are supporting and asking parishioners to vote for, is the party who sent us into an unwarranted war, where innocent Americans and Iraqi citizens have been killed and severely injured for life. Please don’t take our tidings for the Church and use it for any political means. Can’t you see you are saying, “Vote Republican”? Your congregation, American citizens, deserves greater respect than that.
You are highly encouraging parishioners to read the Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics. You know that the five non-negotiable issues are not on the ballot; therefore you are not commanding your parishioners to vote on those issues, but rather to vote against any candidate who does not support your views—that’s a blatant and obvious political agenda intended to make parishioners feel “sinful” if they do not agree. This is one of the many reasons the church struggles to keep its congregation intact; losing parishioners and unable to bring in others.
The conclusion of your instruction is to vote for McCain, Palan and Pearce; thus you are openly taking a political stand on the candidates and their political party, and you are using money I have contributed to the church to do so. While you may not be told by other good people of the congregation, my family, friends and I find this extremely offensive, as did the thoughtful citizen who took the time to confront our parish about the banner (paid for by our tidings) seen from our public streets (paid for by our tax dollars). You have crossed the boundary and are doing much less of a service than you realize.
This is my greatest point: The right to vote freely in America is on the line and you have insulted this right at a critical time in our history. Everyone already knows the spiritual stand of the Church on the five non-negotiable issues. Please, don’t insult our spiritual intelligence, while you step into our voting booth. While you say you do recognize the separation of church and state, you should also recognize that you are a tax-exempt institution and, therefore, not in a position to instruct others to take a political side and to vote as you command, through both written word and verbal word at the pulpit, nor to display this opinion to any citizen who drives past the church. If you believe you can openly direct and influence others on how to vote—a critical and important right of the American citizen—then you should be prepared to pay taxes as other private institutions, which publicly voice their political views.
If you continue to blatantly disregard this separation, while also not paying taxes, you will swiftly find this an issue to confront through legal means, since there will be no hesitation to report it as a personal offense to members of this community. I, for one, would like to know the legalities of how an institution, which pays no taxes, can use my donations for political purposes, without asking for my opinion. We are American citizens. This should be respected.
This is a very difficult and trying time for American Catholics, who are trying to reach within their own hearts and souls to make the right decisions. They do so when they go to church/to the confessional booth and they do so when they go to the voting booth. If you feel you should be able to infiltrate the minds of people with your political views, then you should be willing to pay taxes as other institutions do in order to do so. Separation of Church and state is not just a concept—it’s a legal issue. Instead of using my contributions to the church for your political agenda, commanding us to vote Republican, I ask you to send it to VA hospitals to help Veterans, like members of my family, who have fought in four wars and are not getting what they need.
I hope you will immediately stop your political propaganda. Though well-intentioned from your religious point of view, it is illegal and wrong. If not, others will take this further to a public forum, starting with the editorial page of the Santa Fe New Mexican and to the state of New Mexico, for critical examination to determine its legalities.
Thank you for your immediate attention and please allow me my right to vote as I believe. The next time I go to Mass, I want to
1. hear the Scriptures; instead of a political bias on how to vote,
2. hear an emphasis from the pulpit or see in writing that the Church is NOT taking a political side and NOT asking parishioners to necessarily vote against any of our Democratic candidates, and
3. see any written propaganda removed from the church so that no parishioner is made to feel sinful by making the difficult voting decision.
When the collection plate is passed around, I, and many others, will certainly pause to think about how our donations are being used and may decide to abstain.
A parishioner for over 60 years, who will vote like a great American Catholic family who have devoted their entire lives to public service: The Kennedy’s. I am a proud and active supporter of Udall, Obama, and Biden, as are the Kennedy’s and other thoughtful and spiritual Catholics.
Furthermore, the disclaimer on the last page of the Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics is a contradiction in words intended to deceive or confuse the reader. Hasn’t that become so prevalent in our society: To expound on a belief or a claim, then end it with a disclaimer, knowing few would read the end or the fine print, and instead focus on all the areas that were intentionally emphasized in bold print and repeated several times throughout the text? Isn’t that similar to what happened in the housing market, when now thousands of innocent families are left homeless? What would Jesus think of this tactic? Perhaps you have a different opinion than mine. However, we both agree with God Bless America.
Separation of Church and State: Not Just a Concept, but a Legal Issue
It is Now Time for our Catholic Parishes to Pay Taxes?