Analyzing the Catholic vote

October 21, 6:34 PMBoston Young Democrats ExaminerDan McDowell

Previous Next

29 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Boston Young Democrats Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

It seems no one can make up their minds this election from the candidates themselves, to defecting voters, and the crucial swing groups.  The most talked about group lately are the Catholics. You would think that having the Church setting standards of conscience that these voters would be in tune with one another, and vote the same way. I mean, I'm not particularly religious, but my Catholic heritage still plays a major role in my thought process and how I view the world. Members of the Catholic Church seem to be splitting themselves between the two candidates, much to the chagrin of many of the Church's higher ups.

But it seems even the Church can't make up its mind. Various Church members from priests to auxiliary bishops, to the churchgoers themselves are having issues making up their mind as to how exactly a Catholic ought to weigh his/her vote. Namely though, all this is over one major issue: abortion. Abortion is considered one of a number of "non-negotiable" issues for Catholics. This means that unless both candidates are equally for abortion and/or embryo stem cell research (equivalent evils within the Church) than by default the Catholic's vote ought to go to the candidate is pro-life, otherwise they are supporting an evil and are ineligible to receive communion unless they repent. However, if both are equal, then the Catholic may vote for whomever he/she believes will perform in accordance with the greater good.

The problem comes down to what people see as proportional. The Church has stated that unless there is a situation where one candidate will be supporting more deaths in a year than those caused by embryonic stem cell research and abortion (1.3 million abortions/year) then there is no relating the two candidates. However, as shown in the links above, many are speaking out against the one issue voting mentality. Many Catholics are beginning to see the situation in a different light. No matter who is elected president abortion will continue. Even the appointment of conservative judges would simply turn the decision over to the states. If this were the case, the number of abortions would remain unchanged, so long as the woman can travel. Therefore, many are beginning to also factor in the current conflict in the Middle East, and potential future conflicts in which either candidate may get the U.S. involved. Many are also factoring in social justice programs as well as trying to prevent an abortion from happening, since a simple court ruling will not outlaw abortion, nor would an amendment likely pass in the current climate. Factor in the current economy woes and what that could mean for every citizen, as well as those without healthcare, and when put next to abortion they feel there are far more deaths that could be prevented, protected, and saved. The current issues facing this nation have forced the abortion issue to the side for many Catholic voters.

The result? Pro-choice Obama/Biden ticket is obtaining a lead in Catholic voters over the pro-life McCain/Palin ticket, and Church leaders and attendees are left arguing over the idea of what constitutes a proportionate reason to vote for a candidate who is pro-choice over one who is pro-life.

Contact Info: