Catholic and Democrat in US

[farronwolf]

I said exactly what I said. No where did I say that Church teachings are irrelevant.

I said I don’t have to reconcile my vote with any single Church teaching.

Abortion is a single issue that many choose to put above all else when it come to voting. By doing so they are ignoring the requirement that we examine our conscience for each candidate and simply checking the box if someone says they are anti abortion ignoring all else.

That goes against Church teaching.

 

[JohnStrachan]

Abortion is a single issue that many choose to put above all else when it come to voting. By doing so they are ignoring the requirement that we examine our conscience for each candidate and simply checking the box if someone says they are anti abortion ignoring all else.

I appreciate your clarity. So many RC’s seem to think that the moral principle’s of POTUS are irrelevant because he is prolife. To me they are like a hand in a glove. If the foundation isn’t built on solid principles then the project is destined to fail.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

We do not vote according to our conscience. We vote according to what the Church says is right and wrong and what is in line with it and what are the MOST important issues. Trying to vote according to our conscience could lead us to vote not just against Church teaching but also against the Church itself, if our consciences are very poorly formed. We could also think we are voting according to our conscience and be voting based on our own emotions, wants, likes and dislikes.

If there is something in a particular party’s platform that goes against the Church and you vote for anyone in that party you are voting against the Church Christ gave us.

 

[farronwolf]

I don’t intend to derail this thread into particular political candidates, but our current POTUS is not pro life. He has many exceptions to what that truly means, as do many other individual candidates up and down the line.

 

[JohnStrachan]

But didn’t he speak at the March for Life?

 

[farronwolf]

We do not vote according to our conscience. We vote according to what the Church says is right and wrong and what is in line with it and what are the MOST important issues. Trying to vote according to our conscience could lead us to vote not just against Church teaching but also against the Church itself, if our consciences are very poorly formed. We could also think we are voting according to our conscience and be voting based on our own emotions, wants, likes and dislikes.

If there is something in a particular party’s platform that goes against the Church and you vote for anyone in that party you are voting against the Church Christ gave us.

You are free to believe what you want. But to tell others this is the only way to go and base a vote on party, is absolutely against what the Church teaches.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

We do not vote according to our conscience.

You mean, “You” don’t. I do.

I would note that the US Bishops’ voting guidance is called,

"Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship".

You are free to believe what you want. But to tell others this is the only way to go and base a vote on party, is absolutely against what the Church teaches.

It certainly doesn’t seem to agree with the guidance given us by our Bishops.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

base a vote on party, is absolutely against what the Church teaches.

I didn’t say to base a vote on a party but on the party platform which is what the party stands for, what it’s agenda is, and where it follows or doesn’t follow the Church. Politicians that place themselves in a particular party most always do that because of what the party stands for. You need to look at the party platforms and decide which one stands closest to the Church and which one follows the culture of death.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

You mean, “You” don’t. I do.

That is your choice. Perhaps I should have said, we should not be voting according to our conscience unless it is very well formed according to Church teaching, otherwise we could be deceived.

And yes, I do choose to vote based on the Church’s teachings not my conscience or what I feel or believe is right and wrong that day.

People, even Catholics, change what they think is right and wrong on a daily basis.

Best to follow the Church.

 

[farronwolf]

So if I for instance say I am going to be a republican, the party platform says I must believe x, y and z.

But in real life, I believe a, b, and c, and simply lie to the potential voters saying x, y and z so I can get elected, since my party platform is x, y and z, folks should vote for me, without actually looking at if I believe what I am telling them.

Sounds like a plan for chaos. Wait, isn’t that what our current political situation is. You betcha.

Folks vote for party instead of the person.

 

[JulianN]

You need to look at the party platforms and decide which one stands closest to the Church and which one follows the culture of death.

You also need to look at whether you believe the candidate is actually truthful in his or her statements about various issues.

 

[27lw]

For people who focus on the good in the democratic party, are you concerned about someone like Kamala Harris criticizing the Knights of Columbus, and saying that judges are not fit if they are in the Knights? Or other issues where the Democrats seem not too friendly to religious people? People bitterly clinging to their religion?

 

[MagdalenaRita]

But in real life, I believe a, b, and c, and simply lie to the potential voters saying x, y and z so I can get elected, since my party platform is x, y and z, folks should vote for me, without actually looking at if I believe what I am telling them.

Yes, you would want to look somehow and see if they really beleive what they are saying, but I am not sure how you are going to look at their heart and mind and see what they truly believe. You could look at their past voting history or what they said in the past but that can even change with age and experience and life’s circumstances.

You also need to look at whether you believe the candidate is actually truthful in his or her statements about various issues.

Yes

 

[farronwolf]

One can find extremes in any particular group. Which is exactly why a voter should look at the individual instead of the party.

 

[27lw]

One can find extremes in any particular group. Which is exactly why a voter should look at the individual instead of the party.

Oh, is Kamala Harris an extreme individual? I thought she was a front-runner for Veep and made it into the presidential debates?

 

[MagdalenaRita]

One can find extremes in any particular group. Which is exactly why a voter should look at the individual instead of the party.

It is very rare individuals go against their party. It happens, but not very often. They usually make the headlines if they do. Recently Mitt Romney went against his party and stated he knew he was standing alone.

 

[JulianN]

Yes, you would want to look somehow and see if they really beleive what they are saying, but I am not sure how you are going to look at their heart and mind and see what they truly believe. You could look at their past voting history or what they said in the past but that can even change with age and experience and life’s circumstances.

You can also look at their history of truthful vs non-truthful statements. Someone who routinely lies about other things is likely to lie about more serious issues.

 

[farronwolf]

farronwolf:

One can find extremes in any particular group. Which is exactly why a voter should look at the individual instead of the party.

It is very rare individuals go against their party. It happens, but not very often. They usually make the headlines if they do.

You mean like John McCain? How did the party treat him when he did? What was said about him by certain individuals? How wrong were those individuals, and who has continued to support those individuals.

 

[OKComputer]

I’m a democrat, but I voted for Trump, largely because of what the OP said. I can’t really support a party that embraces abortion like the democrats have. I voted for DeSantis but I also voted for Bill Nelson because I think Rick Scott is deeply corrupt. So I’ve held my nose and voted for democrats, even if I’m not thrilled with the party. I take a much more practical view of politics.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

You mean like John McCain? How did the party treat him when he did? What was said about him by certain individuals? How wrong were those individuals, and who has continued to support those individuals.

It happens on both sides.

The other thing an individual will stand with are the voters who put them in their office. If he is democrat, says he is against abortion but his voters want abortion he will feel obligated to give them what they want.