D
dwc
Guest
Some recent threads got me to thinking about this again. I know it was a hot topic during the presidential elections, and tempers run high at those times, particularly with the particular candidates in 2004. Maybe discussion with a little distance from the election will be helpful.
Recently, people have commented that pro-life Democrats are lost souls. I think everyone pretty much agrees with that, at least at this point. Others point out that the Repulicans only seem to champion life before birth.
As Catholics, we are called to champion life and quality of life (food, education, safety, health care, peace) at all stages. What can and should we do to try to bring our political reality more into line with our faith?
I know the initial response will be along the lines of “if you don’t get to be born, none of these other issues will matter.” I totally agree with that; however, being against abortion doesn’t exempt us from our affirmative obligation to seek justice and care for all of the poor and oppressed. This isn’t an either/or situation, it’s how to do both.
I’ve heard people allege that those who act only to prevent abortion and not to advocate for the poor and oppressed do so because it’s easier. It’s easier to feel passionate about a tiny, unborn child being murdered than it is to dwell upon the poor or mentally ill or handicapped and others who in addition to being those things might also be criminals or unsavory in other ways. It’s harder to see Christ in them. I think that’s true for me. I’m more challenged there.
I’ve also heard people accuse prolifers of focusing of that because it takes a lot less from their pockets than would voting for funding for social programs.
For me, I find the choice between Democrats and Republicans problematic for all the reasons people usually point out. In 2004, I voted for President Bush mostly because of the abortion issue, which I felt was going to come to a head during this term. My rationale was that my husband and I could increase our charitable giving to local shelters, CRS, the Campaign for Human Development, and other resources for the poor and thereby at least partly meet that responsibility, but that the only way to really face the abortion challenge was through voting at the national level.
I know it’s far from a perfect solution. I know my individual donations are spit in the ocean compared to what the government can provide. I write letters to congressman in s;upport of Bread for the World. I know there’s more I should do.
Thoughts? How do others reconcile their choices?
Recently, people have commented that pro-life Democrats are lost souls. I think everyone pretty much agrees with that, at least at this point. Others point out that the Repulicans only seem to champion life before birth.
As Catholics, we are called to champion life and quality of life (food, education, safety, health care, peace) at all stages. What can and should we do to try to bring our political reality more into line with our faith?
I know the initial response will be along the lines of “if you don’t get to be born, none of these other issues will matter.” I totally agree with that; however, being against abortion doesn’t exempt us from our affirmative obligation to seek justice and care for all of the poor and oppressed. This isn’t an either/or situation, it’s how to do both.
I’ve heard people allege that those who act only to prevent abortion and not to advocate for the poor and oppressed do so because it’s easier. It’s easier to feel passionate about a tiny, unborn child being murdered than it is to dwell upon the poor or mentally ill or handicapped and others who in addition to being those things might also be criminals or unsavory in other ways. It’s harder to see Christ in them. I think that’s true for me. I’m more challenged there.
I’ve also heard people accuse prolifers of focusing of that because it takes a lot less from their pockets than would voting for funding for social programs.
For me, I find the choice between Democrats and Republicans problematic for all the reasons people usually point out. In 2004, I voted for President Bush mostly because of the abortion issue, which I felt was going to come to a head during this term. My rationale was that my husband and I could increase our charitable giving to local shelters, CRS, the Campaign for Human Development, and other resources for the poor and thereby at least partly meet that responsibility, but that the only way to really face the abortion challenge was through voting at the national level.
I know it’s far from a perfect solution. I know my individual donations are spit in the ocean compared to what the government can provide. I write letters to congressman in s;upport of Bread for the World. I know there’s more I should do.
Thoughts? How do others reconcile their choices?
