Family politics

[silver_moon]

I’m in the process of returning to the Church after a long time away. I’ve learned a lot by reading these forums. This has helped me understand the Church’s position on birth control and other issues.

I’ve noticed people on these forums are a lot more conservative than my family. I grew up a cradle Catholic with parents who always voted Democratic. They take their faith very seriously and always attend Mass, volunteer, and my mother has worked for the parish for a long time. I have always heard that they do not want to be “single-issue voters” which is an idea I’ve seen challenged here. In other words it’s not OK to vote against pro-life based on the politician’s other programs.

They would be called cafeteria Catholics but I’ve associated that with people who don’t take the faith seriously and they do. Mass every Sunday, all holy days of obligation, Catholic school for all of us, volunteering, financially supporting the Church, etc.

This is an older thread I found on a forum search in which the OP asked my question and the answers she received. She was directed to the usccb’s guidance on voting. As far as family discussions on politics, I don’t know what to think.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=718733&highlight=family+votes+democrat

My mother is strongly pro-life in her history to the point of risking her life to continue dangerous pregnancies (she had a health condition). She was advised by her doctor to get an abortion but refused, and she ended up needing urgent intervention. But my parents don’t vote that way. I find that confusing.

Any suggestions other than don’t bring up politics? thanks

 

[robwar]

I’m not sure what your question really is. What your parents do or vote or think politically is not something you can control. You are responsible for how you practice your faith which does include who you vote for and why. Are you worried about them? Are you afraid of conflicts with them as your return to your faith? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

We must remember that political parties positions change over time. Until quite recently, almost all American politicians were prolife because most of the American people would not elect a pro-abortion candidate. One of the leading pro-abortion politicians was New York Governor (1959-1975) Nelson Rockefeller. Many of his fellow Republicans rightly opposed his abortion advocacy and his quest to be elected President. Since the 1970’s, pro-abortion people have seized control of the Democrat party and have excluded prolife people from the leadership. This has been a tragedy.

Is it acceptable to vote for murder “based on the politician’s other programs”? The answer is simply, no.

 

[silver_moon]

I’m not sure what your question really is. What your parents do or vote or think politically is not something you can control. You are responsible for how you practice your faith which does include who you vote for and why. Are you worried about them? Are you afraid of conflicts with them as your return to your faith? I guess I am not sure what you are looking for.

I’m worried about conflicts. I’ve almost always voted Democratic but reading this material is making me question that. Maybe avoiding political discussions may be best.

 

[robwar]

I’m worried about conflicts. I’ve almost always voted Democratic but reading this material is making me question that. Maybe avoiding political discussions may be best.

I would then agree with your instincts. You know your family the best and how seriously or lack there of with politics. I grew-up in a die hard democratic household. I think my late father would drop dead first than vote for a republican. Yet even with my politics going in the opposite direction, I could joke around with him about it. When Ronald Reagan won by a landslide, I called him from college to tease him about it. But not everyone can accept political differences like this. I would follow your guts and that is usually the best indicator. Good luck.

 

[ClearWater]

I’m worried about conflicts. I’ve almost always voted Democratic but reading this material is making me question that. Maybe avoiding political discussions may be best.

That’s possible.

 

[silver_moon]

I would then agree with your instincts. You know your family the best and how seriously or lack there of with politics. I grew-up in a die hard democratic household. I think my late father would drop dead first than vote for a republican. Yet even with my politics going in the opposite direction, I could joke around with him about it. When Ronald Reagan won by a landslide, I called him from college to tease him about it. But not everyone can accept political differences like this. I would follow your guts and that is usually the best indicator. Good luck.

I get what you mean about die hard democratic household Thanks for the advice. Right now I’m thinking politics probably better not mentioned. I don’t see myself making a joke out of it anytime soon. They don’t hate Republicans it is just not an option basically.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

I do not believe that people should determine their vote based solely on pro-life/pro-choice.

There are many, many more issues out there in the political realm, and most of them affect far more people than abortion does. I’m of the opinion that the Democratic party better reflects the Catholic stance on many other social justice issues, and in the end, I think that’s more important. Perhaps your parents feel the same.

 

[silver_moon]

I do not believe that people should determine their vote based solely on pro-life/pro-choice.

There are many, many more issues out there in the political realm, and most of them affect far more people than abortion does. I’m of the opinion that the Democratic party better reflects the Catholic stance on many other social justice issues, and in the end, I think that’s more important. Perhaps your parents feel the same.

I don’t want to start a political debate but I believe that is how they feel.

 

[pianistclare]

I do not believe that people should determine their vote based solely on pro-life/pro-choice.

There are many, many more issues out there in the political realm, and most of them affect far more people than abortion does. I’m of the opinion that the Democratic party better reflects the Catholic stance on many other social justice issues, and in the end, I think that’s more important. Perhaps your parents feel the same.

It has affected the millions of children aborted in a very profound way.
There goes a lot of potential voters for good programs, eh?

 

[robwar]

I do not believe that people should determine their vote based solely on pro-life/pro-choice.

There are many, many more issues out there in the political realm, and most of them affect far more people than abortion does. I’m of the opinion that the Democratic party better reflects the Catholic stance on many other social justice issues, and in the end, I think that’s more important. Perhaps your parents feel the same.

Op wasn’t asking for opinions but suggestions on how to handle differences of politics in a family setting. Not too many families can handle strong differences of opinions and when there are strong feelings and differences sometimes it is better not to add fuel to fire and just back off. This is true especially when one person break from the family set mold and that can apply to liberal political families as well as conservative ones.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

Op wasn’t asking for opinions but suggestions on how to handle differences of politics in a family setting.

Well one way to handle them is not to create them especially if her only reason for doubting her previous convictions is what people have said on CAF threads. Just showing some solidarity to let her know her parents aren’t off in right field by themselves somewhere on this.

 

[silver_moon]

Op wasn’t asking for opinions but suggestions on how to handle differences of politics in a family setting. Not too many families can handle strong differences of opinions and when there are strong feelings and differences sometimes it is better not to add fuel to fire and just back off. This is true especially when one person break from the family set mold and that can apply to liberal political families as well as conservative ones.

Yes, that’s a good way to put it. It would be the same issue if they voted Republican and I became more liberal. I don’t think it’s intolerance as much as ‘this is who we are and how we’ve always seen things.’

 

[robwar]

Well one way to handle them is not to create them especially if her only reason for doubting her previous convictions is what people have said on CAF threads. Just showing some solidarity to let her know her parents aren’t off in right field by themselves somewhere on this.

Maybe her change is a result of her own conversion? Is there something wrong with that? Just because that is your feelings and opinions does mean the rest of us that do take our faith seriously and not just “quasi” have learned that faith is meant to influence us in the public square which may mean how we vote.

 

[silver_moon]

There are a lot of reasons why I feel this way and I’ve discussed it with some people at church. I also wouldn’t say I’ve completely made up my mind. My parents are definitely not alone. They come from an area of the country that is known for Catholic Democrats (would rather not specify) including clergy. Also my siblings pretty much agree with them.

I know from statistics that many Catholics vote Democratic with a slight majority voting for Obama. I don’t mean to be disrespectful.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

Maybe her change is a result of her own conversion? Is there something wrong with that? Just because that is your feelings and opinions does mean the rest of us that do take our faith seriously and not just “quasi” have learned that faith is meant to influence us in the public square which may mean how we vote.

Oh my gosh, get over yourself. In her original post, the OP seemed confused as to how her very religious parents could choose to be Democrats despite their religious beliefs. Since I vote that way myself, I explained my thinking so she could see what their logic might be.

I never said she had to vote one way or the other, I just tried to explain the other side. You’re the one who’s jumping all over somebody (me) for disagreeing with you.

And I resent your implication that I don’t take my faith seriously. I’m a convert. I grew up Protestant. The fact that I reflect that mixed perspective in my user info doesn’t make me any less Catholic.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

I don’t mean to be disrespectful.

I don’t think you’re being disrespectful at all.

It’s just funny how politics/religion work. I’m from the flip side. My parents are not-very-religious Republicans.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I’m worried about conflicts. I’ve almost always voted Democratic but reading this material is making me question that. Maybe avoiding political discussions may be best.

In the final analysis, I really can’t see how a Faithful Catholic can vote for someone who follows the Democratic Party platform. It is extremely anti-Catholic and very destructive to the very fabric of human civilization. I’ve never heard of any major authority in the Church equating worker’s rights, “global warming” or “helping” the poor to abortion.

I don’t think that people who vote for pro-abortion politicians really understand how bad abortion is. According to Gloria Polo’s near death experience, she claimed that an abortion shakes heaven and the aborted child has an adult soul.

I understand if you are used to voting a certain way how it could be hard to change…but following God doesn’t often allow us personal luxuries like comfortable voting patterns or looking cool and neat in front of arrogant secularists. I think you need to vote in such a way that you can justify who you voted for before God.

Also, do you feel you have some kind of obligation to discuss politics with your family?

 

[silver_moon]

I don’t think you’re being disrespectful at all.

It’s just funny how politics/religion work. I’m from the flip side. My parents are not-very-religious Republicans.

That’s interesting. I guess every family is different.

 

[silver_moon]

In the final analysis, I really can’t see how a Faithful Catholic can vote for someone who follows the Democratic Party platform. It is extremely anti-Catholic and very destructive to the very fabric of human civilization. I’ve never heard of any major authority in the Church equating worker’s rights, “global warming” or “helping” the poor to abortion.

I don’t think that people who vote for pro-abortion politicians really understand how bad abortion is. According to Gloria Polo’s near death experience, she claimed that an abortion shakes heaven and the aborted child has an adult soul.

I understand if you are used to voting a certain way how it could be hard to change…but following God doesn’t often allow us personal luxuries like comfortable voting patterns or looking cool and neat in front of arrogant secularists. I think you need to vote in such a way that you can justify who you voted for before God.

Also, do you feel you have some kind of obligation to discuss politics with your family?

I suppose I do feel an obligation b/c it comes up a lot especially the year or so before an election but I don’t really have an obligation. It’s been a long time since I’ve been under their roof.