Voting and abortion

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Is it a sin (or worse) to vote for a political party that supports abortion, if all the other major parties do support it, and the minor ones who do oppose it will simply lose anyway and their vote go to one of the parties that supports abortion anyway?
Note that in my country one has to vote.

Sorry if my wording of the question seems a little murky.
Also, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.
 
You are not free to withhold your vote so it seems doubtful to be a sin. You can choose the party with a chance of winning that is most in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church (the other “non-negotiables” are Euthanasia, Same-sex marriage, Human cloning, Embryonic stem cell research).

Alternately, you may vote for the marginal party as a statement. Occasionally, marginal parties have had influence on a major party that does not have a clear majority to pass laws.
 
Gallowglasser said:
Is it a sin (or worse) to vote for a political party that supports abortion, if all the other major parties do support it, and the minor ones who do oppose it will simply lose anyway and their vote go to one of the parties that supports abortion anyway?
Note that in my country one has to vote.

Sorry if my wording of the question seems a little murky.
Also, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.
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We vote for individuals rather than a “party”. Those individuals have a voting record, which we have a moral obligation to examine. If they violate one of the five Catholic “non-negotiables” of moral belief catholic.com/projects/voters_guide_letter_2.asp, we cannot support them - unless the other choice is even worse. This is extremely difficult for many American Catholics, who seem to be identified more by their political party than by their faith.

For the sake of our faith, let us set political parties aside and vote like Catholics!
 
Gallowglasser said:
Is it a sin (or worse) to vote for a political party that supports abortion, if all the other major parties do support it, and the minor ones who do oppose it will simply lose anyway and their vote go to one of the parties that supports abortion anyway?
Note that in my country one has to vote.

Sorry if my wording of the question seems a little murky.
Also, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.
Click to expand...
My understanding based on what people post hereon is that you must not only vote for the major political party that claims to be pro-life, you must also by into all aspects of that party’s ideology 100%. It’s part of being a good Catholic.

I don’t believe that as I find most of the so-called pro-life party’s ideology to be repugnant and against the teachings of Christ, but what can I say?
 
I have decided to vote only for candidates who agree with the five non-negotiables. If no major candidate does then I will vote for a minor candidate. If no candidate does then I will cast a blank ballot.

I find it my duty to vote only for those with a record of supporting the five non-negotiables. It’s God’s job to count the ballots and pick the winner. He doesn’t ask us to be successful, just faithful.
 
LCMS_No_More said:
My understanding based on what people post hereon is that you must not only vote for the major political party that claims to be pro-life, you must also by into all aspects of that party’s ideology 100%. It’s part of being a good Catholic.
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No! :eek: (in best John Stossel voice) “Give me a break!” Where did you get this idea? I sincerely doubt that any poster has said this, unless clearly tongue in cheek.

To Clarify:

There are five issues which are political hot button issues. The Church teaches them as moral absolutes which cannot be compromised without substantial reason. We in America vote for persons, not parties. I personally vote for candidates of both parties, depending upon whether or not they support the Church’s five non-negotiable moral issues. For your information, here they are:
  1. Abortion
  2. Euthanasia
  3. Embryonic stem cell research
  4. Same-sex “marriage”
  5. Human cloning
Here is a link to a page which helps explain how to approach voting:

saviorquest.com/news1/catholicvoters.htm
 
Thanks very much for the information everyone. It has been very helpful.

Pax.
 
I would go with the minor candidate. If enough Catholics in your country go with the minor candidate then perhaps a change could occurr.
 
when it comes down to it, vote your conscience. The Church does not take an official stand in elections.
 
po18guy said:
No! :eek: (in best John Stossel voice) “Give me a break!” Where did you get this idea? I sincerely doubt that any poster has said this, unless clearly tongue in cheek.
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Look at the way politics are discussed on these forums. If you don’t believe in the so-called “pro-life” party’s ideology of privatization of profits, socialization of risk, tax cuts for the wealthy, elimination of all social services, elimination of all government oversight of business and the elimination of labor organizations, you’re accused of being a pro-death Democrat who believes in a complete communist takeover of the country with the unspoken wish that there would be an inquisition to root out all these commie-libs and excommunicate them with book, bell and candle.
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po18guy:
To Clarify:

There are five issues which are political hot button issues. The Church teaches them as moral absolutes which cannot be compromised without substantial reason. We in America vote for persons, not parties. I personally vote for candidates of both parties, depending upon whether or not they support the Church’s five non-negotiable moral issues. For your information, here they are:
  1. Abortion
  2. Euthanasia
  3. Embryonic stem cell research
  4. Same-sex “marriage”
  5. Human cloning
Here is a link to a page which helps explain how to approach voting:

saviorquest.com/news1/catholicvoters.htm
Click to expand...
Yes, so everyone says, but I don’t believe that the politicians in the “pro-life” party have an interest in getting these things dealt with.

For example, does anyone actually believe that Meg Whitman is in the process of buying the California Governorship so she can stop gay “marriage” and abortion in California? Seriously? I don’t. I think she has her eye on fat privatization contracts she can take advantage of in order to make herself and her friends even richer at the expense of California taxpayers. For that reason, her stated opposition to abortion and gay “marriage” is meaningless to me as I see those stated positions to be the snow covering the dunghill of her greed and cynicism; therefore, I will NOT be voting for Meg Whitman.
 
po18guy said:
No! :eek: (in best John Stossel voice) “Give me a break!” Where did you get this idea? I sincerely doubt that any poster has said this, unless clearly tongue in cheek.

To Clarify:

There are five issues which are political hot button issues. The Church teaches them as moral absolutes which cannot be compromised without substantial reason. We in America vote for persons, not parties. I personally vote for candidates of both parties, depending upon whether or not they support the Church’s five non-negotiable moral issues. For your information, here they are:

1. Abortion
2. Euthanasia
3. Embryonic stem cell research
4. Same-sex “marriage”
5. Human cloning

Here is a link to a page which helps explain how to approach voting:

saviorquest.com/news1/catholicvoters.htm
Click to expand...
Are these 5 things serious? Those are barely even political issues…they are moral issues. I think economic issues are more important when voting for canidates because that is something that a politician could actually change…the laws on those 5 issues aren’t likely to be changed by politicians any time soon.
 
SonCatcher said:
You are not free to withhold your vote so it seems doubtful to be a sin. You can choose the party with a chance of winning that is most in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church (the other “non-negotiables” are Euthanasia, Same-sex marriage, Human cloning, Embryonic stem cell research).

Alternately, you may vote for the marginal party as a statement. Occasionally, marginal parties have had influence on a major party that does not have a clear majority to pass laws.
Click to expand...
According to what? Sometimes the best vote is not to vote at all. If you have two candidates, and both of them are pro-abortion socialists, guess what? You shouldn’t vote for either of them.

-ACEGC
 
LCMS_No_More said:
Look at the way politics are discussed on these forums. If you don’t believe in the so-called “pro-life” party’s ideology of privatization of profits, socialization of risk, tax cuts for the wealthy, elimination of all social services, elimination of all government oversight of business and the elimination of labor organizations, you’re accused of being a pro-death Democrat who believes in a complete communist takeover of the country with the unspoken wish that there would be an inquisition to root out all these commie-libs and excommunicate them with book, bell and candle.
Click to expand...
Well, please don’t let the knee jerk by becoming the polar opposite of what you disagree with. In all things political, and many things moral, prudential judgment is required, and this is the source of much political debate. I doubt that anyone actually believes we should hoard money and starve the poor, just as I doubt that you believe we should confiscate all money and give it to the poor. Both parties generally want to accomplish the same thing - it is HOW to accomplish it that produces the argument.

What you are reacting to is religious conservatism, which has brought some political conservatism along with it. Both American parties are corrupt and contain evil within them. It is simple fact that one party at this time tends to support the Church more than the other does. The problem lies in the political party’s beliefs, and nowhere else. If your favorite party is criticized here, then get involved and inject more Catholic beliefs into it.

No matter how we vote, if we claim to be Catholic, it must be in line with Church teaching. It is a tough decision for former ideologues, such as me, to make. I bit the bullet and gave up many of my personal beliefs, as they conflicted with Church teaching. My advice for Catholics who struggle in the left or the right is to love your faith more and politics less. Both run wide of the path that Jesus trod.
 
SonCatcher said:
According to the OP:
Note that in my country one has to vote.
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One may have to cast a ballot, but is there any way to force one to mark it?

Even if not legally obliged, one should always vote. If one doesn’t it appears that he doesn’t care. However, one can cast a blank ballot to show ones rejection of all the candidates or write in another where that is permitted. "None of the above"may be a good choice.
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Regarding Mr. Brown and Ms. Whitman, who supports or opposes any one of the five active non-negotiables? Where can I find the answers clearly stated? Is Mr. Brown pro-abortion? Is Ms. Whitman pro-abortion? What moral stances do they take? I don’t want discussion, I want answers, Catholic answers.
 
Jerry Brown is a democrat, which pretty much puts him in the “choice” camp as that’s a plank of the democratic party.

Whitman has been reported as being pro-choice also, but you may want to verify that for yourself further.

Google seems to report various opinions on her stance – here is one link that says she is pro choice.
gop12.com/2009/02/meg-whitman-im-pro-choice-and-support.html

I myself am a little confused why this would necessarily matter in a gubernatorial election when abortion is already a Federally guaranteed right. If healthcare issues, clinics, etc., come up for funding, we have to remember that the Governor does not have complete control over the budget (in California, it seems like no one has any control, considering the budget is never signed and in place for months after the deadline…) and the legislators must come to agreement WITH the Gov. before money is appropriated. I’m not sure how being pro-life or pro-choice would be a defining point or the make/break decision of this particular vote.

Since this is already Federally-guaranteed right, what is the impact on the vote for Governor? It’s not like any Governor is going to put prohibitions in place by himself or herself, and any plan to reverse Roe v. Wade will be at the Federal level, not the state.

NO, I am not pro-choice – and if this question is answered, I’d be so grateful if thoughtful, respectful replies are given – the same way the question is posed.
 
atassina said:
Regarding Mr. Brown and Ms. Whitman, who supports or opposes any one of the five active non-negotiables? Where can I find the answers clearly stated? Is Mr. Brown pro-abortion? Is Ms. Whitman pro-abortion? What moral stances do they take? I don’t want discussion, I want answers, Catholic answers.
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I seem to have found it. 😉

In the particular case of California, there may not be a palatable candidate. There are six candidates (PDF) qualified for the ballot there. Even though the forerunners might be lacking, one of the alternates may turn out to be a true moral conservative.

There may be another issue. If one of the candidates is so reprehensible that allowing him/her into office would be much more detrimental than the other, then it may be okay to vote for that person’s main opponent.
 
LCMS_No_More said:
My understanding based on what people post hereon is that you must not only vote for the major political party that claims to be pro-life, you must also by into all aspects of that party’s ideology 100%. It’s part of being a good Catholic.

I don’t believe that as I find most of the so-called pro-life party’s ideology to be repugnant and against the teachings of Christ, but what can I say?
Click to expand...
As a Catholic, you are saying these things tongue in cheek, right?:rolleyes:
 
LCMS_No_More said:
My understanding based on what people post hereon is that you must not only vote for the major political party that claims to be pro-life, you must also by into all aspects of that party’s ideology 100%. It’s part of being a good Catholic.

I don’t believe that as I find most of the so-called pro-life party’s ideology to be repugnant and against the teachings of Christ, but what can I say?
Click to expand...
slywakka250 said:
when it comes down to it, vote your conscience. The Church does not take an official stand in elections.
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But back up that fallible conscience with the teachings of the Magisterium. Abortion and the other four hot button Intrinsic Evils of the last POTUS election must be fought with everything we have available. This means we cannot support a pro abort/pro death candidate unless the opposing candidate has the same life issue views. If this happens, we then can vote according to which of the Prudential issues we wish to uphold, or vote against.
 
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