Obama & Catholics
posted by: christmylife
March 4, 2008
11:23 am
Over the past months, several distinguished Catholic thinkers have commented on whether Catholics can stomach a Barack Obama presidency. This is an essential dialogue for every Catholic, and Deal Hudson and Douglas W. Kmiec have set the tone with their recent editorials at Catholic Online.
I trust that members at Catholic Exchange will be willing to discuss this topic in detail, and I look forward to engaging you all in dialogue.
posted by: marcustork
March 8, 2008
11:52 am
I haven't yet read the Hudson and Kmiec comentary, and look forward to it. Given Barak Obama's record of voting some 4-6 times against an Illinois law acknowledging that survivors of abortion procedures are indeed legal "persons", I can't see how a Catholic can cast a vote for this person. The lack of either wisdom or courage (or both) demonstrated by this position is totally inconsistent with the Catholic view of Life and it's value. He is more concerned that Roe v. Wade be left completely untouched than he is with protecting even the lives of the born survivors of abortion.
Imagine the kind of multi-generational Supreme Court Obama would shape should he rise to the office of President.
posted by: Protect the Rock
March 8, 2008
1:24 pm
Whether or not an Obama presidency would be in keeping with Catholic teachings is a no-brainer question — of course not, based on his well-established 100% support for abortion on demand, even to the point of refusing to require medical attention for babies who survive abortions. The pro-abortion policies as well as the judicial appointments from an Obama administration would be with us for decades to come.
But...
The question of "whether Catholics can stomach a Barak Obama presidency" is a different question, I think. A reading of Romans 13:1-6 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 should shed some light on the matter. The Church teaches as sacred scripture demands that "every soul submit to the existing authorities, since there is no authority except from God."
In fact, Saint Peter tells us in scripture that we should do so "for the Lord's sake" and it is God's will that by doing right we should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. "Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil."
So, yes, assuming a legitimate, free and fair election, Catholics would indeed be able to stomach an Obama presidency.
posted by: lawrence walsh
March 21, 2008
2:40 am
perhaps we need to listen more attentively. barack cleverly chose to use words ro ensure blacks would continue supporting him, mentioning the simpson trial and katrina, both seen as hateful treatment of blacks in the black community while using the worn-out liberal tactic of trying to make whites feel guilty about all wrongs ever done to blacks. a white FBI destroyed the kkk, white dominated government enacted and enforced civil rights legislation and the white media is not pounding away about the 2 young white women recently brutally killed by blacks. a true leader committed to bringing people together would never have been part of a church that is so rife with hateful rantings.
posted by: fishman
April 5, 2008
10:12 pm
Just in case anyone wants to know it was catholics who were primarily repsonsible for driving the KKK out of the democratic party ( which they had been a strong influence on previously ;)
I think it is a sin and possibly a mortal one to vote for continuing the american holocost.
posted by: LALOVER
April 13, 2008
9:44 am
While I agree with Protect the Rock, as a candidate for the US presidency, I don't think any true Catholic can support Obama and cast a vote for him. Should he be elected as President, we must respect his presidency and submit to its authority provided that we are not forced to do something against our faith. I also agree with Lawrence Walsh. The more we come to know about Barack Obama, including his most recent "bitter" comments, the more we begin to see that this man, in my opinion, is not the best man for the job. And, to take it a step further, I believe there is a "darkness" around his candidacy....the way that so many are blindly jumping behind this man despite all of the controversy indicates that there is a greater force behind him than just a supportive wife, Ted Kennedy and Hollywood.
posted by: MREINER16
April 13, 2008
10:30 am
If Obama is elected President, then, of course, not just Catholics but all citizens must accept and respect the democratic process. This, however, does not mean we accept the policies of the man or woman who becomes the President. We have the right and the moral obligation to stand up against policies that oppose our faith and in fact are in oppsoton to the will of the Father. In fact, this obligation is in force no matter whom is the President. Every four years, we go through this process of electing a President and while he/she is a powerful person, we tend to forget the other branch of government, the Legislative, Congress. If you obose the polcies of Obama then get involved locally and vote against the polcies of people whom support the very same policies at the state and Congressional level. Remember, the President can only recommend policies it is the Congress that passes the laws and provides the money. If Catholic are truly not in support of the policies of an Obama then they should also be against the policies of most of the Democratic members of the Congress. Use your vote every two years and believe me those running for the Presidency will align their polcies also.