Are Traditional Catholics (TLM) politically conservative?

[Cat]

This question was prompted by another thread in which the OP asks for help finding a group of politically-conservative friends.

The Latin Mass Catholics that I am friends with in my city are definitely politically-conservative, and will be voting for the Republican candidate (or possibly writing in the name of the formerly Libertarian candidate).

I also tend to be friends with the very conservative Catholics in my OF parish and at other OF parishes.

I know that many of the people in my very large parish are fence-straddlers when it comes to politics, and many of them will no doubt vote to re-elect President Obama because they have a mistaken view that he is pro-life because he speaks of ending the war. It’s amazing to me that some of these liberal people are still in our parish; our priests consistently give homilies denouncing abortion, homosexual marriage, etc., and yes, we can count on people standing up and walking out of the Mass in a huff whenever the priests give one of these homilies. But many of them come back to the parish; I suspect that many of them balance their political leanings with their fear of going to hell if they leave the Catholic Church.

Is it generally true of Traditional Catholics that they are politically-conservative? Are most of them leaning towards Republican rather than Democrat candidates these days?

Thanks!

 

[Rainaldo]

Is it generally true of Traditional Catholics that they are politically-conservative? Are most of them leaning towards Republican rather than Democrat candidates these days?

Yes, I’d say practically 100% politically conservative. For the 2012 election season, however, there is disillusionment about the conservative candidates.

 

[ProVobis]

Is it generally true of Traditional Catholics that they are politically-conservative? Are most of them leaning towards Republican rather than Democrat candidates these days?

Sort of a loaded question IMO. I would be interested to know how many consider themselves to be Traditional Catholics before I’d ask them that. Maybe many see themselves as “conservative” first and therefore must be Traditional Catholics.

 

[YoungTradCath]

I would say so. Almost as a rule, but not absolutely I imagine.

 

[JustaServant]

Define conservative.
What people consider “conservative” today would have been rejected with horror by conservatives 50-75 years ago.
Classic conservative has always been

1. Constitutional-based government. Measures that violate constitutional rights to “protect” Americans would have been soundly rejected.
2. Non-interventionalist. It may come as a shock to modern liberals, but classical conservatism has NEVER been pro-war. They believed in a strong defense and war only when no other option was available.

As to traditional Catholics, they are conservative because many of them witnessed the results of the “culture wars” of the 60s and hold values closer to their parents generation than the generation they were born into (baby boomers).

 

[Stylites]

Informed and serious Catholics should vote according to policies and platforms related to life issues first and foremost, regardless of political party.

politicalresponsibility.com/voterguide.htm

 

[Bl_Pope_Pius_IX]

I attend the Latin Mass usually every week. I speak often with many of the Parishioners after mass, and occasionally, we get into political discussions. Socially, they are all quite conservative. When we talk about the economy, however, opinions diverge. From what I’ve seen, however, they are mostly pro-capitalist.

I can’t vote, but even if I could, I wouldn’t. I’m not a Republican any way.

 

[Usige]

I don’t think it’s quite that cut and dry. For the most part I would agree that many (most?) those that attend the TLM lean “conservative,” but many are also completely disgusted with both parties.

I often think that the liberal wing of the Democratic party has driven most traditional Catholics out by embracing positions on social issues that are anathema to Catholic teaching. Like many Catholics I side with conservatives on life and family issues, but with liberals on things like war and capital punishment. Because both paties uphold things I find disgusting I cannot vote for either and don’t accept liberal or conservative monikers.

 

[Rich_C]

Most traditional Catholics I’ve known who talk politics either look back to the decentralized republic the USA was before the Civil War, or would like to live in a Catholic monarchy.

They hate “Neo-cons,” which is how they generalize the GOP’s leadership (talk pro-life, but focus on setting up massive corporations, wars, and the relationship with Israel).

Many of them see the U.S. Constitution as inherently anti-Catholic and think outside of our political framework entirely.

They are a tricky group to categorize, but I think they are more insightful about politics than most people I’ve met.

 

[CesarAugustus]

As someone in this thread said, there are things like the oppossition to unjust war and neoconservative politics, so, a more accurate term, would be Paleoconservatives or Classic Conservatives.

In places like Spain and South America, there is a tendence in Traditionalists to be agaisnt both common left and right wing parties, so they instead prefer alternatives as Distributism, Carlism and parties that follow Church Social Doctrine in its entirely. And I know some people (friends and family) that are abstentionist, mainly, because the lack of true Catholic parties.

Blessings!

 

[TrueLight]

I am conservative when it comes to issues like abortion, stem cell research, obviously. I am more less conservative when it comes to the issue of the government helping the poor and civil rights issues (not gay rights).

I’m independent – neither republican nor democratic.

For the first time in my life, I am considering abstaining, which is hard for me because my black people died for the right to vote.

 

[BListon]

Yes, very conservative. Most devout Catholics should be, regardless of their rite.

 

[Bl_Pope_Pius_IX]

Most traditional Catholics I’ve known who talk politics either look back to the decentralized republic the USA was before the Civil War, or would like to live in a Catholic monarchy.

They hate “Neo-cons,” which is how they generalize the GOP’s leadership (talk pro-life, but focus on setting up massive corporations, wars, and the relationship with Israel).

Many of them see the U.S. Constitution as inherently anti-Catholic and think outside of our political framework entirely.

They are a tricky group to categorize, but I think they are more insightful about politics than most people I’ve met.

Precisely. I’m not for a Republic or a Democracy. I’m a Monarchist. Naturally, I place myself amongst that “tricky group”.

 

[CesarAugustus]

I’m independent, neither republican or democratic.

For the first time in my life, I am considering abstaining.

I’m abstentionist too. The parties and most politics (with some notable exceptions) where I live are far from Catholic doctrine. Even Conservatives have various problems.

Blessings!

 

[Stylites]

Most traditional Catholics I’ve known . . .

They hate “Neo-cons,” . . .

Catholics who hate people? Or who have strong dislikes about passing, temporal issues? Maybe your choice of words was wrong.

 

[CesarAugustus]

Precisely. I’m not for a Republic or a Democracy. I’m a Monarchist. Naturally, I place myself amongst that “tricky group”.

Hahaha, that’s true, we are difficult to categorize.

Blessings!

 

[the_phoenix]

Informed and serious Catholics should vote according to policies and platforms related to life issues first and foremost, regardless of political party.

politicalresponsibility.com/voterguide.htm

This.

And we should pray for the conversion of those who don’t.

It’s a spiritual battle.

 

[TrueLight]

Informed and serious Catholics should vote according to policies and platforms related to life issues first and foremost, regardless of political party.

politicalresponsibility.com/voterguide.htm

How many Catholics are aware of this voter’s guide?

I remember when Bush the Father was running for President, receiving in the email a Protestant Christian’s voter’s guide which was very helpful.

Do most Catholics know this guide exists?

 

[Brooklyn]

Most traditional Catholics I’ve known who talk politics either look back to the decentralized republic the USA was before the Civil War, or would like to live in a Catholic monarchy.

They hate “Neo-cons,” which is how they generalize the GOP’s leadership (talk pro-life, but focus on setting up massive corporations, wars, and the relationship with Israel).

Many of them see the U.S. Constitution as inherently anti-Catholic and think outside of our political framework entirely.

They are a tricky group to categorize, but I think they are more insightful about politics than most people I’ve met.

I could not agree with you more. I see the two parties - Republicans and Democrats - as basically two sides of the same coin. Nothing ever changes whichever party gets in. The Republicans keep claiming they are pro life and for smaller government, but abortion remains the law of the land. More than one trillion dollars has been added to the national debt since the “tea party” Republicans came to office in January 2011, those same Republicans who were going to stop all the big spending in Washington. We keep getting into more and more wars, and I don’t see either Republicans or Democrats standing up against that.

I have completely given up on politics. It is a false messiah. I don’t trust those who call themselves “conservatives” and I certainly want nothing to do with “liberals” who for the most part are pro abortion and anti traditional morality.

The only thing I can do is get down on my knees before the throne of God - that is the only place of real hope and change.

 

[TrueLight]

As a new Catholic, this is really helpful for me.

From the Voter’s Guide:

HOW NOT TO VOTE

1. Do not vote based just on your political party affiliation, your earlier voting habits, or your family’s voting tradition. Years ago, these may have been trustworthy ways to determine whom to vote for, but today they are often not reliable. You need to look at the stands each candidate takes. This means that you may end up casting votes for candidates from more than one party.

1. Do not cast your vote based on candidates’ appearance, personality, or “media savvy.” Some attractive, engaging, and “sound-bite-capable” candidates endorse intrinsic evils, while other candidates, who may be plain-looking, uninspiring, and ill at ease in front of cameras, endorse legislation in accord with basic Christian principles.

1. Do not vote for candidates simply because they declare themselves to be Catholic. Unfortunately, many self-described Catholic candidates reject basic Catholic moral teaching.

1. Do not choose among candidates based on “What’s in it for me?” Make your decision based on which candidates seem most likely to promote the common good, even if you will not benefit directly or immediately from the legislation they propose.

1. Do not vote for candidates who are right on lesser issues but will vote wrongly on key moral issues. One candidate may have a record of voting in line with Catholic values except for, say, euthanasia. Such a voting record is a clear signal that the candidate should not be chosen by a Catholic voter unless the other candidates have voting records even less in accord with these moral norms.