Moral obligation to vote--is there one?

[whatevergirl]

I plan on voting in this year’s election…but my dh and I were talking, and we are just not too happy about where things are going. I would rather see repub Presidency/cabinet, than liberal. I was listening to the radio today on the way home–and the announcer read a news snippit (this is a Christian based radio program) that stated how “Dr Dobson announced that he may not even vote…” For those of you not aware of who Dobson is–he is the author of several Christian books on family, etc, and creator of “Focus on the Family.” I really enjoy his programs. So–let’s say he chooses not to vote…is that a moral problem? Are we morally obligated to vote as Catholics? Does the Bible speak of this at all?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[teachccd]

I plan on voting in this year’s election…but my dh and I were talking, and we are just not too happy about where things are going. I would rather see repub Presidency/cabinet, than liberal. I was listening to the radio today on the way home–and the announcer read a news snippit (this is a Christian based radio program) that stated how “Dr Dobson announced that he may not even vote…” For those of you not aware of who Dobson is–he is the author of several Christian books on family, etc, and creator of “Focus on the Family.” I really enjoy his programs. So–let’s say he chooses not to vote…is that a moral problem? Are we morally obligated to vote as Catholics? Does the Bible speak of this at all?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

We only have a moral obligation to God. With that in mind, if a government leader is destroying human dignity with social injustice or pro abortion and the like then it becomes our duty to step up and remove such a leader. Likewise, if we see a candidate who adheres to the moral teachings of Christ, then we should see to it that that person gets in office. Jesus did say to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and render unto God what belongs to God. While most view voting as a civil duty in a country where our freedom won by the blood of others permits, Christians should see voting as a means to have a say in the world freed from eternal death that Christ won for us by the shedding of His blood.

This is only my opinion and holds nothing more than my personal views. But, as a baptized Catholic, I’m exhorted to share my views as I best see fit. God Bless and hope that you get more advice on this as I am looking forward to other views…teachccd

 

[whatevergirl]

We only have a moral obligation to God. With that in mind, if a government leader is destroying human dignity with social injustice or pro abortion and the like then it becomes our duty to step up and remove such a leader. Likewise, if we see a candidate who adheres to the moral teachings of Christ, then we should see to it that that person gets in office. Jesus did say to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and render unto God what belongs to God. While most view voting as a civil duty in a country where our freedom won by the blood of others permits, Christians should see voting as a means to have a say in the world freed from eternal death that Christ won for us by the shedding of His blood.

This is only my opinion and holds nothing more than my personal views. But, as a baptized Catholic, I’m exhorted to share my views as I best see fit. God Bless and hope that you get more advice on this as I am looking forward to other views…teachccd

I like your viewpoint, actually. I think it makes a lot of sense. I personally will vote–so will my dh–but I have heard several Catholic friends of mine say they are not bothering this go 'round, because ‘it doesn’t matter.’ The scary thing I heard today on this station was that not as many repubs turned out to vote this time around–as the democrats. I find that a little discouraging…well, a lot.

 

[KCT]

Not sure if I’d call it a moral obligation or a civic duty.

We live in a country where we can vote. I think we should take advantage.

 

[cam100]

Are we morally obligated to vote as Catholics?

I feel it is our duty to vote for the least offensive candidate who has a chance of winning, even if no desireable candidates are available. I stress this because some Catholics will put their votes towards an independent candidate who has no realistic chance of winning. Let me give an example:

1.) Candidate A is pro-abortion and belongs to a major party.
2.) Candidate B is not completely pro-life, but somewhat so, but is better than Candidate A, and he/she belongs to another major party.
3.) Candidate C is completly pro-life, but is independent and has no realistic chance of winning.

What happens is that the pro-abortion voters all vote for Candidate A, but the pro-life voters split their votes between Candidates B and C. So neither Candidate B nor Candidate C can aquire enough votes to win becaue they are “sharing the pro-life pie” so to speak, and Candidate A ends up winning.

The end result is that by voting for the completely pro-life Candidate C that has no real chance of winning, these voters failed to support Candidate B who would have otherwise won. Thus, they actually helped the pro-abortion Candidate A win the election. Remember, in the US, a candidate doesn’t need to get more than half to the votes to win, just more than any other individual candidate.

 

[Newbie2]

I’m going to maybe go against the grain and post that voting is a moral obligation, although to a lesser degree than other moral obligations.

With what’s at stake in some/many elections, not casting your vote is like surrendering to the secularists.

I will concede that this may not fit the strict definition of a moral obligation.

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m going to maybe go against the grain and post that voting is a moral obligation, although to a lesser degree than other moral obligations.

With what’s at stake in some/many elections, not casting your vote is like surrendering to the secularists.

I will concede that this may not fit the strict definition of a moral obligation.

I kind of thought this way, myself–to a degree. I mean–the election means so much in the way of moral issues, moreso maybe than in past elections–ever?

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

 

[txsoldier94]

Just to add my two cents…maybe there is no presidential candidate you feel you can morally support…then you have no moral obligation to vote for one that you find reprehensible.

But we ALL need to remember that it is not only the presidency that is at stake. We must strive to elect good, moral people at all levels of government.

IF you CANNOT vote for a president, please, please, PLEASE still go vote for your Congresscritter and Senator as well as any local offices.

Mik

 

[Wedgewood]

Can a president reverse Roe vs. Wade?

I’m having a dilemna with this election. I would like to vote Democratic in order to stop the war because of all the innocent lives killed over 1,000,000. A democratic president can do that and pray for their personal conversion to prolife.

OR

Do I vote Republican for a president who is prolife even though they can’t put a stop to abortion and will continue the war and death of innocent people?

Any thoughts??

 

[cam100]

Just to add my two cents…maybe there is no presidential candidate you feel you can morally support…then you have no moral obligation to vote for one that you find reprehensible.

Don’t you think you should vote for the *least offensive *candidate so that the *most offensive *doesn’t get into office? If you don’t vote, when the worst candidate gets elected, won’t you feel bad that you did nothing to stop him/her when you could have done so?

 

[cam100]

Can a president reverse Roe vs. Wade?

I’m having a dilemna with this election. I would like to vote Democratic in order to stop the war because of all the innocent lives killed over 1,000,000. A democratic president can do that and pray for their personal conversion to prolife.

OR

Do I vote Republican for a president who is prolife even though they can’t put a stop to abortion and will continue the war and death of innocent people?

Any thoughts??

Don’t give up the pro-life fight! Just because the Republicans don’t stop ALL abortions, doesn’t mean they won’t help the pro-life cause. At the very least, the Republican candidate probably won’t hurt the pro-life cause as much as the Democrat. The war in Iraq will end eventually, either way. Abortions will never stop if we give up.

 

[BlaineTog]

I don’t vote, as a rule. I don’t feel as if I have any grasp of politics (and I don’t see how anyone else can, to be honest, but that doesn’t mean they can’t), so it would be irresponsible for me to vote for someone who, from my standpoint, is just as likely to be good as bad. If abortion or some sort of specific issue about which I felt reasonably sure were to come up for the vote, I would probably vote then, but not before then.

 

[whatevergirl]

Let’s say a democrat wins the election–is it unrealistic to think that that person would not ever be pro life? Without naming anyone–I have been reading up on the democratic moral issues, and it seems that at least one candidate stands for giving funding to teach abstinence. I thought that was a step in the right direction…and the other issues seemed to revolve around banning abortion–except in rare rare cases. Anyone else read up on these issues? I mean…Bush has been president for 8 years–and banning abortion (other than keeping partial birth abortion banned) never happened. What’s to say it wouldn’t happen with a democrat? I don’t think that the ‘modern moral’ democratic views are as liberal as I might have believed (or assumed)

 

[briang72]

I don’t know much about politics, but I am definitely pro-life. So my vote will be for someone looking to overturn Roe v Wade as a starting point. If all of the candidates were pro-abortion, I would have a hard time voting for a president.

 

[Em_in_FL]

Moral obligation? I’m not sure…
I do see the civil obligation to make your voice heard, though…

I understand the conflict… there is no “Catholic Party” (it’s a shame, for sure!) where we wouldn’t have to compromise on issues of morality…

My personal way of dealing with this in the past has been to look at ALL the candidates on the ticket…
While I definitely bend towards conservative on the issue of Pro Life (hence why I’m registered Rep), there are many other issues that Republicans stand for that I disagree with…

Honestly… I’ve ended up voting for a 3rd party candidate in the last 3 general elections!

 

[duskyjewel]

Can a president reverse Roe vs. Wade?

I’m having a dilemna with this election. I would like to vote Democratic in order to stop the war because of all the innocent lives killed over 1,000,000. A democratic president can do that and pray for their personal conversion to prolife.

OR

Do I vote Republican for a president who is prolife even though they can’t put a stop to abortion and will continue the war and death of innocent people?

Any thoughts??

Ah… but the President recommends the judges who are appointed to the Federal bench and the Supreme Court! Republicans are more likely to recommend strict constructionists, who interpret what is actually in the Constitution and don’t look to read in rights that aren’t there. They don’t deal in “pemnumbras” and “echoes,” they deal in the fact that words mean things.

So the best chance of overturning Roe is to have strict constructionists on the bench.

As for the innocent lives lost in the war… they would be lost in a regional or even world war likely to be started by unchecked dictators fighting over power and limited resources, mixed with jihad among the different branches of Islam. Not saying that makes it right, I am just not sure we could save them even if we sat back and did not defend our interests at all in that region. And I think a powerful nation sitting back and letting innocents die, when they might be able to help, is immoral. (Darfur, anyone?) The Middle East will not be at peace until they learn to love their children more than they hate each other.

As for voting being a moral obligation… I can’t back this up with Church teaching…I am ignorant on that point. But, when people across the world are willing to risk their lives for the chance to vote honestly and freely, when our soldiers are dying to defend their, and our, right to vote in free and fair elections… how could you not? You make their sacrifice meaningless if you choose to throw away the freedom with which you have been blessed.

 

[mary_bobo]

Let’s say a democrat wins the election–is it unrealistic to think that that person would not ever be pro life? Without naming anyone–I have been reading up on the democratic moral issues, and it seems that at least one candidate stands for giving funding to teach abstinence. I thought that was a step in the right direction…and the other issues seemed to revolve around banning abortion–except in rare rare cases. Anyone else read up on these issues? I mean…Bush has been president for 8 years–and banning abortion (other than keeping partial birth abortion banned) never happened. What’s to say it wouldn’t happen with a democrat? I don’t think that the ‘modern moral’ democratic views are as liberal as I might have believed (or assumed)

Since abortion is the law of the land, so it speak, the best way to get rid of it, or to diminish it, is for the right case to come before the Supreme Court and the judges to rule against the unfettered use of the procedure, or in some way, to prohibit it altogether. This brings us back to the kind of judges that will be appointed to the court. With the Dems in charge, they have already established a litmus test for anyone who is nominated. The ruling faction of the Democratic Party is extremely liberal at this time, and no way will anything happen that will put constraints on abortion. A president can’t accomplish much if he has a contrarian Congress.

 

[mary_bobo]

I don’t vote, as a rule. I don’t feel as if I have any grasp of politics (and I don’t see how anyone else can, to be honest, but that doesn’t mean they can’t), so it would be irresponsible for me to vote for someone who, from my standpoint, is just as likely to be good as bad. If abortion or some sort of specific issue about which I felt reasonably sure were to come up for the vote, I would probably vote then, but not before then.

I applaud you for your honesty. There are many people who are no more educated than you on the subject, but vote merely because a candidate is of this party or that party. I wish more folks would refrain from voting when they don’t know what is going on (and I don’t mean that in a bad way).

 

[Newbie2]

Just to add my two cents…maybe there is no presidential candidate you feel you can morally support…then you have no moral obligation to vote for one that you find reprehensible.

But we ALL need to remember that it is not only the presidency that is at stake. We must strive to elect good, moral people at all levels of government.

IF you CANNOT vote for a president, please, please, PLEASE still go vote for your Congresscritter and Senator as well as any local offices.

Mik

Congresscritter?

Can a president reverse Roe vs. Wade?

QUOTE]

Indirectly, by appointing pro-life judges if they have the opportunity.
briang72;3295297:

I don’t know much about politics, but I am definitely pro-life. So my vote will be for someone looking to overturn Roe v Wade as a starting point. If all of the candidates were pro-abortion, I would have a hard time voting for a president.

If that were the case, you really couldn’t use abortion stances as a measure of differences of the candidate. One of them would be elected, whether or not you vote, so it wouldn’t really be a moral decision that you’d make. Morality would come into play when you decide between the candidates on other issues, like social justice.

 

[mamacita]

Can a president reverse Roe vs. Wade?

I’m having a dilemna with this election. I would like to vote Democratic in order to stop the war because of all the innocent lives killed over 1,000,000. A democratic president can do that and pray for their personal conversion to prolife.

OR

Do I vote Republican for a president who is prolife even though they can’t put a stop to abortion and will continue the war and death of innocent people?

Any thoughts??

And think how many innocent babies have died since roe v. wade, more than all the wars combined!!!

And to answer your question, the president appoints the Supreme court justices which means that if we have a pro-life president he is more likely to appoint pro-life justices hence giving us some help w/ the pro-life issues at stake.