Can Catholics Vote Democrat?

[estesbob]

At this point, the Democratic Party risks transforming itself definitively into a “party of death” due to its choices on bioethical issues, as Ramesh Ponnuru wrote in his book “The Party of Death: The Democrats, the Media, the Courts and the Disregard for Human Life.”

And I say this with a heavy heart, because we all know that the Democrats were the party that helped our Catholic immigrant parents and grandparents to better integrate into and prosper in American society. But it’s not the same anymore.

Cardinal Raymond Burke

 

[estesbob]

I honestly don’t see how a Catholic or any Christian can support either political party, given how evil and corrupt they have become. I think that for a lot of Christians, their political party IS their religion, and that is unfortunate. If we, as Christians, demanded that our representatives acted justly and according to the Truth we profess, this country would be a very different place. That being said, it is certainly reasonable for a Catholic to select an individual candidate if he or she feels that person is the best possible (or the least horrible) choice available.

I have been voting Republican since 1981 and have never had to compromise my faith in doing so.

 

[Discerning13]

They can . I’m not sure if they can vote Republican , though.

LOL…

Catholics cannot vote Republican why?

The democratic party supports abortion, contraception and the generally decay of our society…

 

[zz912]

I sure hope so. When the Republican Party actually does something about abortion I will potentially change my mind.

Excuses #1, 2, 5, and 6.

REASONS FOR VOTING FOR PRO-ABORTION POLITICIANS

1. National Republicans aren’t “really” pro-life, so it’s okay if I vote for the virulently pro-abortion party.
2. Specific candidate isn’t “really” pro-life, or I don’t believe his supposed change of belief, so it’s okay if I vote for the virulently pro-abortion party.
3. My deacon/priest/bishop/cardinal told me or wrote me a letter telling me it was okay to vote for a virulently pro-abortion politician.
4. I’m not a one-issue voter, so I can ignore the Church’s teaching and vote for the virulently pro-abortion politician.
5. Republicans (at any level) have not passed enough pro-life laws (as decided by me), so I can vote for the political party that is virulently pro-abortion.
6. Republicans (at any level) have not had enough success on pro-life issues (as decided by me), so I can vote for the political party that is virulently pro-abortion.
7. Roe vs. Wade is still the law of the land even though most Supreme Court justices were appointed by the Republicans, therefore Republicans aren’t serious about abortion, so I can vote for the political party that is virulently pro-abortion.
8. I found a Church document that mentioned proportionate reasons in voting, so I personally judged support for a higher minimum wage (or other social justice cause) was on equal footing with abortion, and I can vote for the political party that is virulently pro-abortion.
9. I personally believe that Democratic policies will reduce abortions, so it is okay for me to vote for a virulently pro-abortion politician.
10. We can’t do anything about abortion until we change the hearts and minds of the people, so it is okay for me to vote for a virulently pro-abortion politician.
11. You can’t legislate morality, so it is okay for me to vote for a virulently pro-abortion politician.
12. People will still have abortions even if you make them illegal, so it is okay for me to vote for a virulently pro-abortion politician.
13. We can’t end abortion until we address the root causes, so it is okay for me to vote for a virulently pro-abortion politician.
14. I can’t impose my beliefs on other people, so it is okay for me to vote for a virulently pro-abortion politician.
15. There isn’t any difference between the parties, so it is okay for me to vote for the virulently pro-abortion party.

Getting closer to election time, so we have to roll out this list. The justifications for supporting a political party contrary to the Catholic faith don’t seem to change much.

 

[John_Matrix]

I sure hope so. When the Republican Party actually does something about abortion I will potentially change my mind.

This kind of thinking is just an excuse to continue to vote for the party you want to.

If it is sincere, which it has been my experience that it rarely is, so be it, but ultimately, God will know if it truly is when we die.

However, do you have ANY idea how many pro-life steps have been taken at local an state levels (and nationally when they get enough support from your beloved Dems) by republicans? The answer is every single one originates with Republicans. They are flawed as all political parties are, but this attack is disingenuous either out of ignorance of the facts, or out of spite, I daresay.

Even the Guttmacher Institute who loves all things abortion agrees:

nationalreview.com/corner/294935/guttmacher-analysis-reveals-pro-life-progress-michael-j-new
*
Indeed, the polarization of the two major political parties in this country has had some interesting implications for the pro-life movement. There are two often-overlooked factors that have led to the passage of more state-level pro-life laws. First is the fact that the Republican party has become more consistently pro-life during the past 20 years. Second, Republicans have begun to win legislative chambers in conservative southern states that have been historically dominated by Democrats. When Republicans take control of the state legislature in these conservative states, the end result is usually a significant increase in the number of pro-life laws enacted.*

To ignore the steps that have been taken despite the hurdle of a Supreme Court decision making an outright ban impossible is unfair and silly.

Using this line of thinking, it is actually easier to attack the Democrats as the party of the poor for doing nothing but increasing the number of those in poverty since the late sixties. Why do they get a pass for not doing anything to decrease the number of those who are poor, but Republicans who have actually made strides in countering unfettered abortions get attacked?

It would be much easier to understand and believe someone who says “I know the Republicans are clearly the more pro-life party, but I simply don’t care because I’d rather vote for the democrats.” At least that is truthful.

The list of Republicans measures and laws that further the pro-life cause has been posted on here too many times to count. Do yourself and children everywhere a favor and do a quick search.

 

[Mark121359]

Another thing. Planned Parenthood detests the Catholic Church. Planned Parenthood is a keynote speaker used at the Democratic National Convention. Speaking of which, Democratic leaders stripped any reference to God from the party’s 2012 platform (and to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel). They didn’t merely forget to mention God; in updating previous party platforms, they made a conscious decision to remove Him. And when they reinstated Him, they were roundly booed. Remember that? That’s more proof that this party does not have a high opinion of God or His laws. Also, Sandra Fluke…Nuff said! Finally, estesbob mentioned what Cardinal Raymond Burke had to say about voting. Any Catholic who’s serious about their Faith would do well to listen to him.

Peace, Mark

 

[Sy_Noe]

They can . I’m not sure if they can vote Republican , though.

I have no dog in this fight. I am not among the faithful and don’t practice your faith. This topic is actually one of the reasons why. Because I vote as Miss Felicity described. And I know Jesus is not a registered Republican. Nor for that matter a registered Democrat nor registered voter of any kind in the US. And I even read under forum rules that CAF does not endorse a party. But Burke was quoted. Are his words about parties and voting binding on you as a Catholic and on all of the faithful? Or are they just his views and not binding?

 

[Sy_Noe]

Capital Punishment isn’t against Catholic teaching if the prisoner is still a danger/menace to society or inmates while still alive. Capital punishment is not ok if it’s main purpose is to save tax payer dollars

I could be mistaken but does your church’s catechism say something about those cases where the person would be a danger to society, are rare if even existent at all today?

 

[ishii]

I was wondering if it’s ok for Catholics to vote Democrat? I know that the Democrats are more in favor of abortion, but that doesn’t they don’t do other things that help our country. If anyone on here is Catholic and a Democrat what advice do you have?

I’m an Independent, but unfortunately third parties rarely get votes.

Democrat Catholics will say, “but the Democrats support welfare, so therefore I will look the other way on their support for killing the unborn.” Or they will say, “the Democrats are for the workers and the poor, while the Republicans are for the rich - therefore I will look the other way when they bankrupt our country with out of control spending.” Or they will say, “the Democrats are for rights for everyone, including gays. Therefore I will look the other way when they undermine traditional marriage.”

There is no excuse for a Catholic interested in the sanctity of life to vote Democrat. The only Catholics who vote Democrat are ones who were brought up as such, and believe that the Democrat party is still looking out for the “worker” (which they aren’t). That doesn’t mean that Catholics necessarily have to vote GOP, but as you say, 3rd parties rarely get votes. My advice to you: don’t drink the Democrat Catholic Kool-Aid. The Democrat party is morally bankrupt - they encourage illegals to flood our borders. They support a president who manipulates laws (such as Obamacare) for his own political expediency and do nothing to address our country’s problems. Obama and the Democrats have been a disaster.

Ishii

 

[theCrow]

I voted for Clinton in 92, 96, Nader in 2000, Kerry 2004 Obama 2008 and 2012

 

[ishii]

I voted for Clinton in 92, 96, Nader in 2000, Kerry 2004 Obama 2008 and 2012

So what does that have to do with whether Catholics can or should vote Democrat? Your point?

Ishii

 

[ishii]

I have no dog in this fight. I am not among the faithful and don’t practice your faith. This topic is actually one of the reasons why. Because I vote as Miss Felicity described. And I know Jesus is not a registered Republican. Nor for that matter a registered Democrat nor registered voter of any kind in the US. And I even read under forum rules that CAF does not endorse a party. But Burke was quoted. Are his words about parties and voting binding on you as a Catholic and on all of the faithful? Or are they just his views and not binding?

Jesus is not a registered Republican? Thanks for that newsflash… You can vote for anyone you want, just understand the following: if you vote Democrat, you help aggrandize the party which is overwhelmingly in favor of killing the unborn, re-defining marriage, forcing Catholic groups to violate their conscience, and supporting the secular left agenda. If you are okay with that, have at it. But please do not make the mistake that you are in line with Catholic teaching.

Ishii

 

[KidShellen]

No Christian should vote for the Democrats

They are the party of death

I don’t like Republican economic and foreign policies, but Christians cannot allow babies to be murdered and sexual immorality to advance in exchange for a good economy

 

[Personanongrata]

I was wondering if it’s ok for Catholics to vote Democrat? I know that the Democrats are more in favor of abortion, but that doesn’t they don’t do other things that help our country. If anyone on here is Catholic and a Democrat what advice do you have?

I’m an Independent, but unfortunately third parties rarely get votes.

They can and they do.

 

[DeniseNY]

So what does that have to do with whether Catholics can or should vote Democrat? Your point?

Ishii

It’s just to agitate

 

[irishpatrick]

There are NO perfect parties–just as there are NO perfect humans and there are NO perfect politicians.They all have their weaknesses and faults. With that said:

How are we ever going to halt legal abortion (the slaugter of 3,000 innocents every day) if we do not vote for strictly prolife candidates (for every office down to dog catcher)?

 

[markomalley]

Remember from 2012:

Democrats’ Efforts To Reinsert ‘God’ And ‘Jerusalem’ Into Platform Met With Loud Opposition (VIDEO)

 

[Dawnia]

They can and they do.

Hmmm…666th post. Coinsidence?

 

[Dawnia]

There are NO perfect parties–just as there are NO perfect humans and there are NO perfect politicians.They all have their weaknesses and faults. With that said:

How are we ever going to halt legal abortion (the slaugter of 3,000 innocents every day) if we do not vote for strictly prolife candidates (for every office down to dog catcher)?

The problem is that some politicians just play lip service to being prolife. If we want change, we have to keep electing actively prolife politicians, perferable from both parties. Although, with the Dems, that is nearly impossible anymore.

 

[shockerfan]

I sure hope so. When the Republican Party actually does something about abortion I will potentially change my mind.

Also in the active news threads was this news story:

kvue.com/story/news/health/2014/07/31/north-austin-abortion-clinic-to-close/13430123/

I hope you and all other folks who sing the mantra “Republicans don’t do anything about abortion, so I think its OK to vote for pro-abortion rights Democrats” READ THIS STORY.

Did Democrats pass the laws that are causing this abortion clinic to close? NO
Did Republican pass the laws that are causing this abortion clinic to close? YES

Since the Republican Part ACTUALLY did something about abortion, will you now change your mind?

According to the Houston Chronicle, abortions in Texas are down 13% thanks to the new law
houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Study-Abortion-rate-falls-under-new-Texas-law-5642369.php

Can you image the drop in the abortion rate if the 50% of Catholics who voted for Obama (aka “Champion of 3 Intrinsic Evils”) voted for pro-life candidates?