Can a Catholic Vote for Barack Obama?

http://www.cashill.com ^ | 2/29/2008 | Jack Cashill

[diamond6]

This Catholic isn’t either. In my opinion, a “Catholic” who supports abortion shouldn’t receive the Eucharist either.

[baa39]

“The Church urges them to weigh all life issues-—including abortion but also other life issues, including ones outside of the womb when voting. That includes issues like the death penalty, war, third world poverty, globalization-—etc, etc.”

Incorrect. False ‘seamless garment’ idea, not Catholic teaching. Very popular among the heretical “We Are Church,” “Voice of the Faithful” and all those. As the Holy Father again reiterated quite clearly, all citizens in a free society have an obligation to vote but all issues are NOT weighed equally. Sanctity of life, sanctity of marriage (sacramental and one man, one woman) and the right of parents to educate their children (yes!) are the three “non-negotiables”.

Catholics may have different opinions about poverty, immigration, capital punishment (NOT against church teaching as the person is not innocent and it’s a right of society to self-defense), the war in Iraq, etc, but their opinions are not all of equal moral weight in casting a vote.

If you had two pro-life candidates running, you might choose either. But if one is pro-life and the other is pro-abortion but also anti-war, anti-capital punishment, pro-whatever-you-like, the MORAL OBLIGATION is to vote for the sanctity of life candidate.

Many years ago before the Democrats became the party of death, this was not so difficult, abortion was pretty much illegal and abhorent to people. Over time, it’s evolved that the Republican party platform, technically, also happens to reflect the main values that Catholics should vote for. As one recently published book asks, “Can a Catholic be a Democrat?” Really, in good conscience you could argue not, because of pro-life but also because of marriage, and parental authority issues.

[DaGman]

"What it comes down to is this: The only way to really stop abortions is to make people want to stop having them."... and everything else you said before this...

Yes, this is correct. What you said is not an opinion but a fact. There's nothing that says if one's conscience says not to, then don't vote for someone against outlawing abortion. But it is not factual to say it is a mortal sin to vote for someone that does not oppose outlawing abortion, according to the Vatican, who makes the rules.

[Salvation]

Catholics cannot vote for Obama because Obama supports all kinds of abortion. Here's what that sin means to a Catholic:

1:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2271  (618 bytes )  preview document matches 1 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2271.htm

97%

2:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2272  (580 bytes )  preview document matches 2 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2272.htm

96%

3:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2322  (290 bytes )  preview document matches 2 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2322.htm

96%

4:	CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2274  (554 bytes )  preview document matches gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2274.htm

I don't think most Catholics (whether practicing or CINOs) want to excommunicate themselves just to vote for Obama.

[baa39]

Your opinion, then, is perfectly in line with Church teaching, as that person cannot be in a state of grace.

[Salvation]

You are totally right.

[RTO]

Another observation is that the specter of New Age philosophy has entered through the cracks formed by Vatican II. Perhaps this is what Pope Paul VI and John Paul II alluded to in their remarks that “the smoke of Satan has entered the Church” ... A rather bizarre commentary from Paul VI, since he was so instrumental in jack-hammering the foundations of the Church.

I have lately noticed a strong inclination of young Catholics towards Tradition. This gives me hope, but I do not know if the phenomena is a matter of curiosity or that of disillusion with the “Modernist” conciliar Church. Strange that it is the old who reject Tradition, and one would think they ought know better... but scripture “speaks” of these days, when those having itching ears will turn away from sound doctrine, and follow wolves.

I take solace in the words of Our Blessed Mother Mary to the the child seers of Fatima: “In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

[DaGman]

All true, yet millions of American Catholics vote for candidates (GOP & Democrat alike) that oppose outlawing abortion.

[Amendment10]

Where is Obama coming from with respect to this so-called Freedom of Choice Act?

Obama's stance on abortion is an excellent example that he is one constitutional "expert" who simply does not know what he is talking about with respect to the Constitution.

This post (<-click) tells of major constitutional problems with Roe v. Wade. More specfically, it tells how FDR's establishment of constitutionally unauthorized New Deal programs like SS arguably led to the USSC's scandalous legalization of abortion. Note that the post first references two non-abortion cases in order to show Roe v. Wade in a different, troubling perspective.

[Salvation]

McCain supports most pro-life issues and is AGAINST abortion.

We need to help him change his mind about embryonic stem cell research, however.

[baa39]

Thank you Salvation! Now we are getting to the nitty gritty. Those are good links if people really want to understand.

There seems to be so much confusion on this issue, even among Catholics. For Pete’s sake (ok, bad pun), you cannot support abortion - and that means voting for people who are enabling abortion through the law, financially, with political influence or any other means.

If instead of ‘pro-abortion’ we said those who advocate cutting up live two-year old children with knives, then people would have no problem seeing that must trump all other voter issues. Essentially, what is the difference?

[Salvation]

He is definitely un-American, too!

[BnBlFlag]

The question should read: Can anyone in their right mind vote for Obama?

[baa39]

Interesting idea, no doubt you’re right about that. So many things converged at once (Vatican II, “new age”, liberation theology, sexual and feminist ‘revolutions’, new no-fault divorce laws, general breakdown in society of Christian-based laws and values) and those wanting to destroy the church jumped on the bandwagon and went with the “free spirit” and wrongly called it the “spirit of Vatican II”.

[Salvation]

**For Pete’s sake (ok, bad pun), **

ROTFLOL!

[baa39]

You’re right, and that is very sad and very pathetic. I wonder if they will be greeted by the souls of aborted babies at the Pearly Gates and be redirected to take the “down” elevator?

[BigIsleGal]

This is the United States of America.
YOU can vote for whomever you want to vote for.

And that is all I have to say for today.

[Salvation]

**voting for people who are enabling abortion through the law, financially, with political influence or any other means.**

I was visiting a relative in the Chicago area and saw a donation going to Planned Parenthood from the roomate ready for mail. It made me physically ill and I went to my room and packed. Unfortunately I couldn’t leave, but did let my relative know I was ready to leave.

[baa39]

That is difficult. It’s sad and heart-wrenching when it hits close to home like that. Even “good” people have been duped by a “woman’s right” to abortion. I admire you for going, we have to get away from evil, and right now it’s all around us in society. To live as a Christian, especially as a Catholic, really means to live as a radical - it goes against the grain of what everyone is saying, doing, seeing on TV and the movies, everything ‘hip’ or ‘normal’ or ‘progressive’.

[Theodore R.]

I believe that Oprah’s Obama will get at least 40 percent of the Catholic vote, but I don’t know about a majority. Many Catholics are “anti-business” in outlook. Some may fear that he is disloyal to the nation, but McPain has assured us that is not true.