I'm Catholic and I am a Democrat

[JohnKleeb]

:shrug: I like my pope, he aint perfect but he does some good.

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. Me too man

He's a great advocate for peace. I don't agree with everything he's done but I do think he wants to spread peace and charity in the world.

[JohnKleeb]

2. Me too

[elshiva]

3. I dig the pope for standing for peace, I wish him well.

[JohnKleeb]

4. The problem many non religious people have understanding I think

While they are hateful fuckers out there who do things they do according to what they believe religiously, there are many who do beautiful things because of religion too, and that is what moved me learning about Appalachia.

[elshiva]

7. I love religion and think Democrats should welcome what

Dean calls a "religious philosophy," one that is inclusive as Jesus' teachings.

[paulk]

5. hey, me too!

well, I was raised a Catholic, anyway.

Not a big fan of the Pope, though. But I keep that to myself, and he did come out against the Iraq invasion pretty forcefully.

[JohnKleeb]

6. Thats ok

You dont have to like him or even respect him, I just dont like people dissing a sick man who has done good.

[sandnsea]

8. He's been a pretty good Pope

I don't expect the Catholic Church to change their religion. Even Humane Vitae, when it's presented completely, there's very beautiful parts of it. It's too bad all that gets reported is when the Church says something about sin, you rarely hear when the Pope speaks of love. Even love for homosexuals, being born exactly the way they are. Just like the media never reported what the Vatican really said about voting. If Catholics had understood they didn't have to vote on abortion, that could have easily turned the election. The Pope gets alot of bad press. I'm hoping he comes through this because we could do alot worse.

[texpatriot2004]

9. Historically, Catholics were Democrats and they voted

for social justice issues. You know, issues like poverty and worker's rights, social programs, etc. I think it's very evil that Catholics are now (mostly)voting one issue...abortion. The ones I know, most of them, rationalize and justify how "right" they are. Yet they don't want to get rid of the death penalty or war. It's very hypocritical! You can't be "pro-life" and for the death penalty or war! Then there's the fact that they don't want to support the children once they are born. Not to mention, the privacy issues, you know, how they get all up in the personal business of others. Since when did any sinner have the right to judge the heart of any other sinner. I believe that sins are sins. The Catholic church teaches that there are some sins worse than others. I think it's true. Yet, I think it's also true that I don't have the right to make anyone else's sin worse than my own sins. Does that make sense? Anyway, like I said, I think it is very evil that many Catholics are voting "conservative." Plus, this country is way to complex to vote one issue. BTW I am not a practicing Catholic but I have some experience with the Catholic religion.

I know I am preaching to the choir here. Sorry about the rant.

[TayTay]

10. It's because of things like this:

NEW YORK_The outgoing president of Planned Parenthood, Gloria Feldt, commended her anti-abortion adversaries for their political skills and criticized ally John Kerry for an ineffective defense of abortion rights during his losing presidential campaign.

"I have great respect for John Kerry, but there's no question he did not articulate these issues well," Feldt said in an interview Tuesday.
"He seemed equivocal. He ceded the moral high ground to the other side."

The article goes on to say...

A Kerry spokesman expressed surprise at Feldt's comments, noting that Kerry explicitly vowed to oppose Supreme Court nominees who might overturn the right to abortion.

"John Kerry's record in the Senate for 20 years and throughout the presidential campaign was crystal clear that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare," David Wade said.

TayTay again:

This is why. We get the circular firing squad going and we fire at our own. That gives the other side a breather, they don't have to take us apart, we do it to ourselves.

There are other arguments to be made in the abortion wars, including an appeal to compassion, the need for education and the right of women to control their bodies. Catholics are open to these moral arguments, but we keep stepping on our own message. Ho sad. There is no chance that Kerry is going to stop supporting NARAL goals. It's a shame he gets no respect for it. Only helps the Rethugs.

[saracat]

12. That is because Kerry reiterated what he said in Newsweel on MTP.

It even got to some of us. This "re framing " is not going to work. Kerry can't afford to have Gloria pissed. Seriously. I was not happy with Kerry on that either.

[Pirate Smile]

11. So am I. Maybe I should be glad my Internet was down yesterday.

I disagree with the Church on some things - women's issues, birth control, etc but the Church isn't RW - not on War, not on poverty, not on social justice (with one glaring exception).

[saracat]

13. I have made a vow NEVER to step into a Catholic Church again.

My father left them money in his will but as we had a trust, I cut them off. They couldn't even bother to give my Dad last rites. I arranged for them but it wasn't done by the parish he gave money to. As for the Pope. I don't agree with the man. He is personally insulting to me as a woman, but he is an accomplished individual who has achieved great stature.I think he is to be lauded for his position of world leader if nothing else. He is a great peacemaker. These people who are wishing ill on an old sick man will someday have to look to themselves and remember. Their hate cannot bring them joy.

[JohnKleeb]

14. Yeah hey I understand why you have a problem with the church

I just odnt like being called sheepish or stupid for being Catholic.

[saracat]

15. You aren't. Think Jesuit. Think Andrew Greely.

People who would call you that don't really "get" most American Catholics. They also don't understand the differences in the various arms of the Church.

[JohnKleeb]

16. Opus Dei makes me sick to my stomach btw

I am not sure what my family is, hell to tell you the truth, my mom's mom wasn't even originally Roman Catholic but Greek Catholic.

[XanaDUer]

17. And think Dorothy Day

A personal heroine of mine!

They would not give your dad last rites? WHy not?! I have never heard of that.

I was lucky enough to be raised among very liberal Catholics, and to be taught by them as well. Once, there was this old, old priest in our parish who was mad at Vatican 2 and refused to follow it, and would yell at the kids in the confessional. Stuff like that.

Anyway, the adults got together and "retired" him, I guess by speaking to the Archbishop, who was very forward-looking (the priest may have been ill and hard of hearing, which contributed to his irasibility) and got this cool young priest who played the guitar and wore sandals.

[JohnKleeb]

18. The photographer?

Oh and Xana PM me back, I feel queasy.

[XanaDUer]

19. No, I think you mean Dorothea Lange...

http://www.catholicworker.org/dorothyday/index.cfm

Dorothy Day espoused liberation theology.

[JohnKleeb]

21. Yes I did, thank you

[TayTay]

20. The Jesuits are great!

When I worked at BC, there was a Jesuit there who had served as a Chaplain in Veitnam. We used to go out with a group and drink. He was a great guy!

(Yes, I went drinking with a priest. I even dated this guy who was gong to go so Seminary. It was a thing, it was, nevermind.)