Beyond the Abortion "Culture Wars"
by jgehring, Wed, Aug 27, 2008
Abortion has been the grand battle in our nation’s divisive “culture wars” for more than three decades now. Liberals and conservatives defend rigid ideologies with a righteous zeal that does little to help women and families choose life.
In an effort to promote more productive ways to reduce the abortion rate, Catholics in Alliance just released a groundbreaking national abortion reduction study that offers compelling findings pro-life and pro-choice leaders can unite behind to reach common ground solutions on this profound moral issue. While this might be bad news for some politicians who only view abortion as a wedge issue to win elections every four years, we know as Catholics that being “pro-life” is more than a campaign slogan. It’s about supporting public policies that reflect our values of justice, human dignity and the common good.
The study finds that social and economic supports for women and families (quality child care, good jobs and robust benefits to pregnant women) dramatically reduce abortions. It affirms a growing movement in Congress, where legislative efforts like the Pregnant Women’s Support Act are bridging partisan divides to offer real solutions instead of empty rhetoric.
“If you want peace, work for justice,” Pope Paul VI told us. If we want fewer abortions, then we need to work for a culture that stands up for women and families. Now that’s a pro-life agenda Republicans and Democrats alike should get behind.
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Comments
abortion
HOW DOES THE CATHOLICS FOR ALLIANCE STAND WITH THE HEALTH CARE BILL FOR ABORTION
SO IF ABORTIONS ARE ALLOWED WITH THIS HEALTH CARE BILL YOU AS CATHOLICS ARE OK WITH THIS
Half truths equal half efforts
Pope Paul VI isn't saying you should work towards justice, and use this as the main means of addressing the abortion issue. He is saying, there will be fewer abortions, (naturally) if you work for justice. True Catholic Social Justice works towards not only a reduction in abortions, but a fervent LEGAL end of abortion (euthanasia, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, death penalty). A Zero Tolerancy for abortion is the FOUNDATION of Catholic Social Justice Teaching and the clear moral vision of society.
Speak the truth, don't "choose" it.
From the website of the U.S. Catholic Bishops
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Joseph Wright responds again
Please see http://www.moralaccountability.com/mission/response-to-michael-new-ii/ for Joseph Wright's second response to Professor New's criticism.
Thanks for your comments.
Thanks for your comments.
Catholic social teaching is indeed grounded in a foundational and inviolable truth: the sacred dignity of the human person. However, it’s a mistake to reduce centuries of Catholic tradition to a legalistic “zero tolerance” policy. The proper application of moral principles in a pluralistic democracy rarely allows for absolutes. This is the difference between a theocracy and a democracy. Catholics must bring arguments to the public square that convert minds and hearts using persuasive and accessible language to believers and nonbelievers alike. As Catholics, we can maintain a prophetic spirit that speaks truth to power at the same time recognizing the need to respond pragmatically to political, social and economic realities. The U.S. Catholic bishops have noted that “sometimes morally flawed laws already exist. In this situation, the process of framing legislation to protect life is subject to prudential judgment and ‘the art of the possible.’ The late Pope John Paul II noted that “it is not enough to remove unjust laws....For this reason there need to be set in place social and political initiatives capable of guaranteeing conditions of true freedom of choice in matters of parenthood.”
Abortion
I could agree more with jgehring. We should not be judgmental of anyone including a young woman so poor that she is considering abortion. We must understand that in the final analysis abortion is a very private decision. We must remember the words of Jesus to the woman of Babalon as she was going to be stoned to death as a result of very harsh judgement.
He who is without sin cast the first stone.
Thank you, Catholics in Alliance
I have been looking for an organization like you my entire adult life. I cannot be apart of the mainstream Pro-life movement because they are so caught up in emotion that they will not listen to reason. They are not pro-life, they are pro-fetus. They are the same ones that criticize the same woman for being a single mother that they yelled at for considering an abortion. They are against programs that create better lives for these children (and their mothers) because it involves tax dollars. They are the people in juries that let rapists go free because "boys will be boys" but the woman "should know better" or they should "just get over it." They are the same people that seek the death penalty. They spew hatred instead of love. Abortion is a symptom of a greater societal problem, and you have recognized that, and once we address that problem, then abortions will become obsolete on their own.
I am so grateful for this organization that I am almost in tears from it. Thank you, thank you for choosing reason over rabid self-righteousness.
Abortion needs to be the number one issue
Your Catholic Alliance survey on priority issues should have included: how to stop abortion. I believe this is the number one issue we must work on, but of course, not the only one. I also believe we should expend a tremendous effort to promote the rapid development of renewable energy sources.
truly deliberated on the current issues
Principles and perspectives regarding a situation varies. However, if we will just carefully analyze its consequences, then we can make possible solutions. I am expecting that American people truly deliberated on the current issues before casting their vote in the November 4th election. I’m sure some have studied more whether to take out a payday advance than what the issues are in the election. For instance, check out “The Howard Stern Show” and listen to this brief audio clip that was recently posted. Roving Reporter Sal roamed the streets in Harlem, New York to acquire opinions from men and women, determining whether they supported Barack Obama or John McCain as President. In actuality, the purpose was to determine whether African-Americans would automatically vote for Obama simply because he’s black. By taking McCain’s policies and disguising it as Obama’s, Sal discovered shocking responds. He discussed issues like the pro-life argument, stem cell research, the war in Iraq and who Sarah Palin is – placing McCain’s positions to Obama's. He gets many of them to admit they support Obama regardless of what his policies are. This activity has really exposed the ugly truth of some of our ignorance of the issues. I just hope that people really thought about the real problems when casting their vote for the presidential election. Please read on the following links for more results. Payday Loans
How about some transparency "for the Common Good"?
John Gehring,
How disingenuous of you et al, to market your site as a Catholic Social Justice Organization instead of admitting its real mission to influence Catholic voters to support Barack Obama!
For example, this website's staff page only has State "Field Organizers" listed for the four in-play "swing states" with large Catholic populations: MI, (Western) PA, OH, and MO. Ohio, seen as particularly important, even has its own State coordinator.
In addition, your organization's web site has a link to its major Catholic supporters. Why does your organization's site not include a list of its major financial supporters, like the funding it receives from Celebrated Atheist George Soros's Open Society Institute? Catholic Vote blog
C'mon John, I really expected better from a graduate of "The Mount"!
Paul B.
JESUS IS THE TRUTH!
Folks, could it be that we are trying to imitate only half a Saviour, attempting to bring only HIs love to the world, without boldly illuminating His love with His truth???
Re: Rich's comment
Rich,
You are actually in error when you state that the Church's pro-life is not firm. Writing Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II concluded the section on procured abortions by stating "....by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his Successors, and in communion with the bishops of the Catholic Church, I confirm that the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral" (EV 57). There are, absolutely, several "rescues" to be made in the pro-life movement: the prayer rescue, the counseling rescue, the sidewalk rescue, the education rescue, the political rescue...and we may not see eye to eye as to which should take precedence...but please, Rich, I beg you, do not try to convince yourself or others that abortion is ever ok. There may be circumstances which mitigate culpability, but the act, ipso facto, is evil.
Let's pray together for its end.
reply to the reply
Who`s misquoting who? JPII said abortion is "gravely immoral", not simply a wrong, as you have stated. There is a huge difference here but if one is used to equating the taking of an innocent unborn life, which by the way our Catholic faith has always taught is FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION, with poverty, lack of access to health care and such then I can understand your use of words here.
Correcting Incorrect References by "unsigned" comment 10/14/2008
1. I made no statement to the effect that the Church's pro-life is not firm.
2. I agree with John Paul II that abortions are wrong. What I said was that since the embryo frequently divides into multiples during the first 14 days after conception, that it cannot be a human being until after 14 days, and that, therefore, the ending of the pregnancy during that 14 day period after conception is not abortion.
If you are going to respond to my comments, please quote what I said correctly.
thanking you in advance---
rich
A couple of questions...
...for Rich:
a) Are you saying that aborting a pregnancy within the first 14 days of conception is licit/moral?
b) Are you Catholic?
Please feel free to e-mail me if you don't want to answer in this thread.
In Christ,
Matthew Wade
Response to Matthew Wade
a} Once again, since the embryo prior to 14 days is still capable of dividing, and therefore cannot be ensoled yet, ending a pregnancy during the first 14 days is not an abortion.
Please see also the following quote from my original post:
At the same time, the pregnancy during this two week period should be given the greatest respect since it is ordered towards the creation of a human person after ensolement, and should not be ended lightly. I could never support ending a pregnancy during this period as a method of birth control, but only in cases of rape, incest, and threat to the life of the mother.
b) Whether or not I am a Catholic is not relevant - my statements should stand or fall on their own merit.
Hope this answers your questions.
Rich
Ensoled? Please....
This is hair-splitting is sophistry - and weak sophistry at that. Pope Pius IX ended this foolishness about 'fetus animus' and 'fetus inanimus'. If you need more authority, perhaps Gaudium Et Spes: "Therefore from the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes.”
The teachings of the Church are clear. The USCCB's Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship clearly state that certain practices are so inimical and evil in nature that they compromise cannot exist. Period. This is the teaching of the Church and of the Bishops of the United States. While other social issues are indeed important, the argument that abortion is simply one of many issues that can be weighed on some Catholic Balance scales is misleading and immoral.
As to your comments as applies to rape and incest - you condone punishing the innocent for the sins of the father? There is a site - http://www.rebeccakiessling.com - perhaps the stories of men and women whose mothers kept them despite being victims of rape may illuminate you.
And as a person writing as an 'authority' on a Catholic website, I actually think that asking if you are Catholic IS relevant. I am proud to say that I am a Catholic Citizen - aren't you?
I am more than willing to listen to many arguments - but this one is built on a secular humanist tissue of lies. To be Catholic is to be in Communion with the Holy See. A Catholic who supports abortion is defying the Magisterium and is not in communion.
I will pray for you and all members of this organization.
Ensoulment???
I ask all, are we trying to play with words, so we can convince people that either do not have the time or are just waiting for someone to tell them what they are aloud to do?? I understand some people have concerns with this teaching, but what is really your concern? You can spin this anyway you want.The final authority here on earth rest with the Holy Father and in SOME cases jointly with the Bishops. ANYONE that inter-fears with God, is wrong and in danger of losing eternal life period. If someone can tell me Gods plan for us, step up and say it. I doubt anyone would have the nerve, I pray you don't. I can tell you without a doubt, as you can also, if you forget your own agenda, what would God do? would he want a condom on? or a pill taken, or someoneone vacuming out a "cluster of cells"? think about it as you stare at the cross!! Yes we have hunger issues that could be mitigated if we hand out condoms, HIV lessened, some woman issues reduced, but at what cost? Look into a starving babies eyes!! if that does not move you to tears, you are lost.. Point is, those eyes!! make you feel!!! the least of us is "Jesus", those eyes are asking us to give all we have, to help, not destroy!!Yes life is hard because we do things we should'nt do, premarital sex,rape, waste food and other resources for our own pleasure. And when we see all that has been neglected, we want to solve it or make it go away!! by destroying, preventing, or picking what we feel is the easiest thing to do. We will all have to look into Gods eyes and I guarentee not one will be able to say, "I thought I was doing the right thing" because it is written on your heart. God does not choose, we choose, Life or death. How life ends does matter, we can not reason it away. You can not pick only parts of a respect life issue, though it is easier not having to look into those eyes that were never given the chance!!
God is love and he does not negotiate
Jerry Colby
Franklin Lakes NJ
jerryc1029@yahoo.com
ensoulment, abortion and contraception
Please refer to Catholic Moral teaching.
Ensoulment is not the criterion for condemning abortion, neither is it the criterion for life. Contraception is illicit, not just in the teaching of Humanae Vitae. It is condemned in the Catechism of Trent and as far back as the Didache. If the Church has always condemned it, how can ensoulment be a criterion at all? It cannot.
As for the rape and incest exception, why kill the child because the father is a jerk? You would punish the child for the father's actions. That's just? Of course not, it's barbaric.
Rape, incest, danger to mother's health and ensoulment
With regards to abortion in the cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother's health I struggled with these scenarios for many years. My response was always that I couldn't possibly tell someone in those positions what they should do as they were a victim of circumstances. After much praying and meditation on the topic I believe the Lord removed the scales from my eyes and allowed me to see the matter with clarity.
In cases of rape or incest, consider the following scenario: A woman is the victim of a rape or incest. In a state of devastation and grief she finds her assailant, pulls out a gun and attempts to shoot him. Her aim is off, she misses the aggressor and her bullet inadvertantly hits and kills an innocent bystander. No doubt most of us can sympathize with her and understand that her actions were the result of confused thinking after suffering such an act of violence. At the same time we have to agree that she is responsible for the taking of an innocent life and for that she much be held accountable. Her story is tragic but it doesn't give her permission to murder. The new human being created as a result of rape or incest is that innocent life in the above scenario. I'm very pro-choice in this situation: she has the choice to keep and care for the infant herself or give the child to another person for that care. Her tragedy doesn't give her the option, the "right", to murder the innocent child.
With regards to the mother's life being at risk, well, I'm currently pregnant and I can speak to this situation from a very personal and "in-the-moment" perspective. I asked myself this question: if I found myself in a situation in which I was told that I had to make a choice of either losing my life or that of one of my two (out of the womb) children what would I do? It took no consideration to answer that I most definitely would give up my life for either of my two children. Why then would my answer be any different with regards to my child living in my womb? This new perspective made it very clear to me as they are all my children... they just happen to have different living arrangements currently.
And finally, as for ensoulment - Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." I realize that God was speaking directly to the prophet Jeremiah but it would be illogical to suggest that it's only Jeremiah whom God knew before He formed him in the womb. It's difficult for us to understand in our finite thinking but our God is omniscient and therefore knows all things before they come to pass. It's completely credible to extrapolate that He knows each of us before we come into being; knowing when, where, and how we will come into earthly being. And yes, whether or not we will be sharing that womb with a sibling or two.
Peacefully,
Kerry Dodds
catholic
good site
Voting To End Abortion
The research confirms that, to end abortion, it's not enough to be pro-life. We must be pro-justice in every sense of the word. Restoring hope and opportunity in the lives of women, children and their families will do more to end abortion than any legal restriction.
We know that over-turning Roe would reduce abortion, but wouldn't end it. Improved access to contraception isn't a panacea either. In order to end the practice, these measures have to be combined with policies that reduce demand for the procedure by helping women overcome the economic and social barriers to raising children.
Since no political party offers a comprehensive approach to the problem, this understanding provides a real conundrum to voters:
If we vote Republican, we might see Roe overturned, but Republican intractability on contraception and social welfare policies wouldn't make a dent in demand for the procedure. Especially considering the black market for RU-486 that already exists in many of our cities, it's unclear how much abortion would actually be reduced.
If we vote Democrat, abortion remains legal, but the renewed emphasis on access to health care, family planning, poverty reduction, support for childcare and welfare could help produce significant reductions in the actual abortion rate.
If the focus is on the actual impact on the number of abortions, rather than simply having moral statements enacted into law, voters have a difficult choice among the presidential candidates this year.
Beyond the Abortion "Culture Wars"
What many people, including Catholics, forget is that Pope John Paul II's decree proclaiming that a human person exists from the moment of conception is NOT DEFINED DOGMA. Statements by councils, synods, bishops, cardinals and yes, even popes must be respected but are subject to informed dissent, a RIGHT guaranteed by CANON LAW!!..
The fact is, it is theologically and philosophically impossible for ensolement to take place at conception. Up until 14 days after conception there is a very strong likelihood that the embryo will divide into twins, triplets, etc. Since this is the case, if ensolement took place at conception, this would mean that a human person could be subdivided into multiple persons - a theological and philosophical impossibility according to Catholic theology and philosophy.
Therefore, the ending of a pregnancy before 14 days is not even an abortion in the first place!!
At the same time, the pregnancy during this two week period should be given the greatest respect since it is ordered towards the creation of a human person after ensolement, and should not be ended lightly. I could never support ending a pregnancy during this period as a method of birth control, but only in cases of rape, incest, and threat to the life of the mother.
But even this is not the end of the discussion. Just because the incidence of the embryo splitting declines after 14 days is not necessarily the only criterion for determining when ensolement takes place. A reasonable determination can only be made when a productive and constructive discussion takes place between parties on both sides with full consideration of scientific evidence and theological and philosophical discernment.
And, once again, this kind of discussion is protected by Canon Law, and is not subject to suppression by the Pope or the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of this kind of discussion, and this tradition has survived the statements of various councils, synods, bishops, cardinals and popes.
The mission of the Holy Spirit will guarantee that in the long run the fundamental basic truths of our faith will be protected and characterized by a greater and ever deeper understanding by such discussion.
Rich
Mr. Warneka...
I applaud you for the fantastic insight you share here and on your blog regarding our need to promote a Culture of Life. I, too, share in your belief of the importance of supporting and promoting Catholic Social Justice issues. I have a passion for the poor, the suffering and the innocents of our world. My personal experience with living in the poverty bracket as a single mother for 12 years has taught me much. In addition, a good deal of that time was spent without healthcare benefits, so I certainly have a "been there" perspective as well.
I'd like to to add that I've learned to rely on my family, our Lord, the charity of His good people and a mountain of self-determination to improve my state of life. The Federal Government should not be the first point of contact in supplying our needs. It's our personal responsibilty to aid in the quality of life for ourselves and for our neighbors/community. I take it as my personal responsibility to care for those around me and ensure they have the means necessary to have quality of life. Please don't misunderstand - I'm not suggesting that the Federal Government has no place in the process, I'm simply saying it isn't primarily their responsibility, it's your, mine and ours.
And lastly, regarding being held "captive" a single political issue, it's obvious that we see the same set of facts but come to very different conclusions. I'm compelled to repeat that some issues trump others in importance. This isn't single-issue captivity, it's prioritizing. When it comes to promoting a Culture of Life, protecting the lives of the MOST innocent is where we need to begin and there are none more innocent than those who are living in the womb. Once we have that appreciation and understanding, we won't have to debate the importance of caring for our brothers and sisters who are in need, suffering, marginalized. Their care will be the natural standard which flows from having cared for them before they were living outside of the womb.
Respectfully and Prayerfully,
Kerry Dodds
Very Well Put Kerry
There are many spokes to the pro-life wheel and one of these is the sin of omission in regards to allowing abortion to happen. If a person does not understand the reason why abortion is wrong, how can we expect them to get other issues of the same foundational principles? To condone abortion is to condone the taking of the life of the most innocent even if the reasons are grave. Terrorism is the taking of innocent lives with a deep ceded agenda. In principle there is no difference to me in these issues, so how can we expect someone who cannot get the abortion issue to understand the need for protection of the innocent from terrorism.
We need more than anything to pray for the conversion of the hearts of all that support abortion, and we need to support our local crisis pregnancy clinics which literally are pulling babies from the forceps of abortions and giving dignity to both the mother and father of the baby through support and job placement.
What would Herod or Ceaser, who saw nothing wrong the massacre of innocent babies, have to have right, or their opponent have wrongs, for us to vote for him?
In Christ,
-John Kopinski
Praise for the Abortion Study
As a life-long Catholic, licensed mental health professional and Catholic Servant Leadership expert, I applaud Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good's abortion study. Having spent years providing clinical services to working poor and poor, I can confirm through experience that economic and social support have a broad impact on abortion decisions.
Rather than righteous zeal, we Catholics need constructive dialogue. Rather than allowing ourselves to be held in political captivity by a single platform such as abortion, Catholic voters need to broaden the discussion to include pro-life issues across the lifespan. Rather than merely relying on legislation, we need social and economic support for the poor, marginalized and those who have no voice in this American political process.
In the service of such dialogue, here are my thoughts (and some not-so-well-known facts) around this presidential election:
http://catholicservantleader.blogspot.com/2008/09/which-presidential-can...
Again, thank you to Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good ... for seeking the Common Good!
Warmly,
Tim Warneka
As a former employee of a
As a former employee of a Dialysis unit, I'm in complete agreement that our healthcare system is broken in many ways and in need of tremedous reform. While we continue to have the best healthcare in the world, not everyone is able to benefit from it and we need solutions. A good starting point would be to put an end to our litigious mentality when it comes to healthcare by eradicating the "ambulance chasers" who encourage litigation abuse.
Many issues are important, but some more than others. Think of the following example: If you're interviewing a person to provide daycare for your child, you likely have a host of requirements for a suitable candidate. If while interviewing a potential childcare provider you find that he/she fulfills all requirements but one, the individual is a pedophile, you will doubtfully select this person to care for you child. In other words, while all the requirements are important, this one issue trumps all the others.
And so it is with protecting children who are living in the womb. In protecting the dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death, we must begin by protecting the most defenseless, innocent of all: those without a voice who are living in the womb. It's the very foundation of protecting the human diginity of all. If we don't place this issue in the "trump" position, we have lost the war before we go to battle.
This article is worth reading - great perspective from Archbishop Charles Chaput. As one who has found himself on both sides of this issue, he shares his personal insight on the matter. http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=1073
Christ's Peace to You All-
The Lives of ALL
We have to move ahead and realize that abortion cannot dictate our political views. We have a man running from president who came from nothing and his main political objective is to support the poor. To offer insurance to 44 million Americans who do not have healthcare is vital as well to the health of our people, just as much as an unborn fetus. I work in the 2nd largest public hospial in the country as a physician and I see 'hidden murders' being committed everyday by the healthcare industry- patients told to go to the "county hospital to evaluate a pancreatic mass"... patients told they cannot get a screening mammogram at the county hospital and have to go elsewhere... patients told they cannot receive any rehab care after a stroke since they are not a citizen. This is not the work of the God I know. This is a disaster and we cannot afford to allow it to go on.
Killer Kathoics
Abortion is murder. All the other items are good working points, but murder is murder. Do all else to help, but stop the racist killing.
Abortion Politics
I agree that abortion is murder and that unborn children need legal protections. Nevertheless, political party is not necessarily a good guage as to whether actual results (measured either in terms of reversal of Roe v Wade, number of states where abortion becomes illegal, or actual reduction in numbe of abortions) will be achieved. Here are few points for thought:
The Roe court: 6 justices appointed by Republican presidents, 3 by Democratic presidents. The court majority in the Roe decision (7): 5 republican-appointed justices v 2 democratic-appointed justices; the dissent (2): 1 republican-appointed justice (Renquist) and 1 democratic-appointed justice (White).
The current Supreme court: 7 justices appointed by Republican presidents and 2 by Democratic presidents.
In the 36 years since Roe v Wade: 24 years with a Republican president, 12 years with a Democratic president. 10 of these years with Republican control of both the presidency and the US Senate.
Yet Roe v Wade still remains the law of the land.
One other bit of trivia: In Latin American countries where abortion is still illegal, the abortion rate is actually higher than in the US, where it is legal. Apparently, criminalizing abortion doesn't necessarily produce the desired effect, i.e., reducing the actual number of abortions performed.
Beyond The Abortion Culture Wars
I just want to applaud your study on abortion reduction. Policiies that are pro-woman, pro-child and pro-family will do more to end abortion that court action ever could.
Please peruse my blog: http://zerodemand.blogspot.com/ which is a very preliminary and halting attempt to explore some of these issues.
Best wishes.
Votes based on abortion issue
What I don't understand is why so much of the Catholic vote is reliant on candidates' stance on abortion.
My paster was recently asked how, as a Christian, he could vote Democrate. Here is the gist of his reply:
There are one, maybe two passages in the bible that could be interpreted as dealing with the issue of abortion.
Even if we assume Christ's message is clear and abortion is a sin, what is unquestionably more clear through scripture, is Christ's stance on the poor. There are hundreds of passages that tell us how to treat the world's poor. It is one of the most important messages in the Bible. Based on the candidates' policies and records of their treatment of the poor, as a Christian, he must vote for Obama...no matter what their policies on abortion are, their policies on treatment of the poor must trump abortion.
Votes based on abortion issue
Thank God your "paster" isn't mine.
"Anonymous," your paster should become a Pastor.
Then he would know the absurdity of his comments, or your misrepresentation of them:
"as a Christian, he must vote for Obama...no matter what their policies on abortion are, their policies on treatment of the poor must trump abortion."
Now let me get this straight. Are you actually telling us your "paster" told you that the Bible teaches that "policies on treatment of the poor" are more important than the 5th commandment: Thou shall not kill?!?!
I've got some advise for you: find a real "paster."
Paul B.
Something to consider:
To borrow something I've read regarding human life: "Biology is crystal clear that at the moment of conception (also known as fertilization), a unique, organism comes into existence. Since this new life possesses human DNA and is the offspring of human parents, it can legitimately only be described as human life.
Since there can be no question that human zygotes, embryos and fetuses are alive, some have attempted to claim that human beings are not "persons," until some threshold is crossed, such as viability, the capacity to feel pain, birth, or even the first year after birth. The merits of such notions can be debated, but it should be clear that they are not based on science but rather on ideology, philosophy or belief. As far as observable science is concerned, human life begins at conception."
I'm certainly not a pastor, only the daughter of a pastor. But your pastor should be familiar with the passage of Holy Scripture that is most significant on the topic. It's found in Exodus 20:13. It says, "You shall not murder," and is one of the Ten Commandments given to us from the Lord. I point this out not to be facetious but in all seriousness. There's no question we are called to care for one another as brothers and sisters, most especially the poor, weak and marginalized in our society. It's our duty as part of God's family. But of the two issues at hand, abortion and social justice, only one is given to us as a commandment. And that places the protection of the weakest and most innocent of all, those living in the womb, in the trump position. How much more can we show our love for one another than by caring for and protecting each person from the moment he/she was conceived?
Your Sister in the Family of Christ-
Kerry Dodds
Social Justice is in the 10 commandments
Hi Kerry,
I'm with you 100% on the pre-eminence of protecting human life over all issues...Just wanted to explain that in Catholic teaching, social justice is actually subsumed by the 10th commandment. We read "thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods" to indicate, among other things, that goods should be distributed somewhat equitably, that we who have more have a responsibility to tend to our neighbor's needs...this goes for the micro- and macro- cosms (ie, applies to those right around us as well as the responsibility of nations to assist others)...
Jesus as Guide
I applaud your pastor for his counsel. How often is the example of Jesus even recognized in the battle against abortion?
Jesus taught and healed to bring people to God. He could have come to us as a king and made laws, but he chose another way. Too many in the Church seem to ignore Jesus.
I am reminded of Jesus' counsel to the crowd who were prepared to stone an adultress, a punishment sanctioned in the law: Let you who is without sin throw the first stone.
And Jesus, like a pregnant woman, faced an agonizing life and death decision in the Garden. He asked of his disciples not "Will you defend me" but "Will you watch with me?". He rejected the use of the sword (which is ultimately the power of the state - legitimate violence) even in the defense of his own life. He realized that the heart is ultimately more powerful. I think that our response to a pregnant woman in agony over whether she can birth and raise the child should be the task that Jesus asked of his disciples.
A gravely immoral evil
When will those who lump abortion into the same pot as poverty, lack of quality health care, war or any other wrong in society realize that is not simply a bad, wrong, or tragic thing? It is a GRAVELY immoral evil, not even a really bad, wrong or tragic thing. To understand the logic, the principles, and the reasoning behind our social teaching is fine and good and very necessary, but we also need to understand the reality and the nature of sin and evil. Jesus said that the evil one comes only to kill and to destroy. This is what a gravely immoral evil does to both an individual and to a community that accepts it. So, within the context of this truth, how can abortion lead to anything good? How can an evil that is grave be accepted as a Christian solution to a problem?
Into this confusion Jesus comes, to defeat the power that sin unleashes upon the world. For no matter how good and courageous our efforts are at trying to eliminate it, we cannot do it. We need his life, communicated to us through his Church. And until we are willing to accept this and the reality of what abortion truly is, we will forever be dealing with it in the same helpless way that we have since its legalization. Our Church proclaims that it is a gravely immoral evil because it directly takes the life of an innocent, unborn human being and that that life begins at the moment of conception not to burden us or confuse us or to somehow make things more difficult. It does so to protect the ones she is charged with protecting from the snares of the evil one. This is her duty and I for one am glad for this.
Mike