Save the Knights!

[johnlal]

Where’s your proof that the Knights are trying to influence elections on anything other than moral grounds?

Trying to influence elections is political activity regardless of the grounds.

One would hope that anybody trying to influence elections would be doing so on moral grounds. Just because they have the claim of moral superiority doesn’t mean that they’re not engaging in political activity.

 

[Sheeniac]

You’re blowing smoke. Instead of going through all of those semantic acrobatics why can’t the Knights be honest and up front about being a political organization?

Because words mean things, as I demonstrated earlier. Regardless of how you feel about it, the Knights are not acting as a political organization, or PAC, or whatever word you want to use next.

 

[johnlal]

Regardless of how you feel about it, the Knights are not acting as a political organization, or PAC, or whatever word you want to use next.

You are entitled to your opinion. We disagree.

 

[tee_eff_em]

Trying to influence elections is political activity regardless of the grounds.

One would hope that anybody trying to influence elections would be doing so on moral grounds. Just because they have the claim of moral superiority doesn’t mean that they’re not engaging in political activity.

The Knights of Columbus as an organization does not eschew politics, nor does it claim to.

It eschews *partisan *politics, that is: politics advocating for or against a particular party (be it “political party” in the sense of democrat, republican, rainbow coalition, et cetera; or a “party” in the sense of a particular individual politician).

SK tee

 

[johnlal]

The Knights of Columbus as an organization does not eschew politics, nor does it claim to.

It eschews *partisan *politics, that is: politics advocating for or against a particular party (be it “political party” in the sense of democrat, republican, rainbow coalition, et cetera; or a “party” in the sense of a particular individual politician).

SK tee

So the K of C eschews advocating for or against particular politicians or parties, but (as some here have argued) they seek to influence elections for moral reasons.
That’s splitting some mighty fine hairs.

 

[Sheeniac]

So the K of C eschews advocating for or against particular politicians or parties, but (as some here have argued) they seek to influence elections for moral reasons.
That’s splitting some mighty fine hairs.

A. How can you disagree with what words mean? Or are you saying that words don’t mean things?

B. How are they trying to influence elections? Kicking out a politician from a private club for not following the belief guidelines is NOT trying to influence an election.

It’s not splitting hairs, it’s being accurate.

I would suggest that your position is motivated by emotion and desire, rather than logic and reason.

The IRS would shake their heads at your “arguments”, much as we are doing here.

 

[SILVERNAME]

Let’s not forget that the 16 apostate “Knights” deliberately prevented the people of the state from decideing for themselves about homophile marriage.

In short, these liberal and therefore apostate knights didn’t even allow an “election” to take place in the first place.

Why? because they knew their liberal satan-worshipping side would lose the vote, so they decided not to have one in the first place.

So who is trying to affect elections now? the Knights or the apostates!!

The Knights want to promote morality and fight evil through the vote, nothing immoral or illegal about that.

As long as the Knights dont engage in partisan politics they are not violating any law, tax-related or otherwise.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

In short, these liberal and therefore apostate knights didn’t even allow an “election” to take place in the first place.

Why? because they knew their liberal satan-worshipping side would lose the vote, so they decided not to have one in the first place.

Nice flames.

Those are unfair comparisons that if you are considered “liberal”, then you are both “apostate” and are “satan-worshipping”.

 

[Dredgemate]

B. How are they trying to influence elections? Kicking out a politician from a private club for not following the belief guidelines is NOT trying to influence an election.

Here! Here! As a Brother Knight I can tell you that we go to great lengths (even in our private meetings) to not endorse one candidate over another. First and foremost is our beleif in the sanctity of the voting booth. You must be true to yourself and free to vote for the candidate that best represents your beliefs.

I’m having a hard time understanding how removing a person from an organization (be it the KofC, the Shriners, The KKK, whatever) affects the political process.

The politicians voted in a way that was inconsitant with the KofC charter, is kicking them out going to change their votes?

 

[irenaeus1]

Then the Knights need to stop telling their members that they do not engage in partisan politics. It’s just dishonest.

Partisan politics? To speak out on moral issues is not partisan politics. And an organization has every right, and in fact has a duty, to reprimand its own members for publicly violating its charter.

 

[Tiber_Squid]

If you want to be a member of the club – you play by the rules. If you don’t like them, leave the club. That goes for the KofC or the Church… They are not political in that they do not take action specifically for political purposes. I don’t think that means they never get involved with issues that happen to also come up in politics – abortion being a big one.

As far as the Church and therefore, the KofC is concerned, abortion is a cut and dry issue. If one doesn’t agree, then simply leave the KofC and don’t call yourself in communion with the Church. The problem is those who want to espouse different views and still say they are a “good member” in standing with “the club.” KofC and certainly the church is much more than a club, but the analogy holds true…

 

[TAquinas]

The Catholic Church’s position on abortion pre-dates all political parties. Some current parties have chosen to try to make it a political issue, but it remains a moral issue and would continue to be so even if all political parties evaporated next week. Parties, even whole countries come and go; the Catholic Church’s teaching on abortion remains.