Catholic bishops taking aim at Obama

Americans of all religious traditions are becoming interested in the backlash of Catholic bishops against the “unnamed Presidential candidate who supports abortion”. Guess which candidate this is.

Barack Obama.

Catholic Archbishop of Denver Charles Chaput described Barack Obama as the “most committed” abortion-rights candidate from a major party in 35 years. Archbishop Chaput also stated that Catholic groups supporting Obama were doing a “disservice to the church.” The Bishop of Fort Worth Kevin Vann, Texas and the Bishop of Dallas Kevin Farrell issued a joint statement instructing the faithful that Catholic moral teaching obliges Catholic Christians to not vote for a pro-abortion candidate.

[Read: Joint Statement from Bishop Farrell and Bishop Vann to the Faithful of the Dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth]

Other bishops are across America are also warning the faithful that a vote for Obama is a vote for the culture of death.

Raymond Arroyo of EWTN’s “The World Over” appeared on Fox News last week explaining this phenomenon. Arroyo predicts that in the weeks to come, certain states could shift away from Barack Obama by the great numbers of Catholic reevaluating their consciences with regard to the issue of abortion in this election.

Related news:

Archbishop Chaput in Denver criticizes Barack Obama by name

Catholics Against Joe Biden: Bishop Morlino and Archbishop Chaput…

               

A tale of two polls

With every vote being so crucial in this election, it’s no wonder there’s great interest in the minds of this nation’s 67 million Catholics and how they plan on voting on November 4.  Swing states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida have significant Catholic populations and it is quite likely that Catholics may decide who occupies the White House and the Capitol in January.  For decades, American Catholics were considered a solid  part of the Democrats’ base, but as they increasingly become the “party of death,” Catholics are rethinking this relationship.

Since it is the time in our nation’s life when a new poll du jour is touted by this organization or another while pundits say polls don’t matter and the media report on them as though it were our national fever, it goes without saying these polls have a thing or two to say about Catholic life in America.  Just like those talking heads who are the meteorologists of our Republic, I think we should heed the results with skepticism – especially with regards to what they say about Catholics.  A couple of polls announced in the last week highlight the difference between those individuals who understand Catholics and ask the right questions and those who don’t have a clue.

According to the results of a poll released last week, sponsored by Faith in Public Life, “younger Catholics more strongly support Obama, abortion rights, and more active government than older Catholics.”  The data claims that 60% of Catholics between the ages of 18 and 34 say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.  Perhaps even more shocking is this survey found 50% of older Catholics hold a similar view.

I was immediately skeptical of this survey given my own experience as a young Catholic.  Maybe it’s just me, but the Catholics I know, especially the younger ones, are more fervent in Faith and committed to Church teachings than ever before.  Just take a look at the types of young men entering the seminaries.  They are increasingly more conservative, more traditional, and more faithful.

With this skepticism, I decided to take a look at the actual questions the survey asked.  First of all, the poll asks respondents to self identify with a particular religious group, and 23% of the young adults surveyed identified as Catholics.  This is all well and good, but being Catholic means more than calling yourself such.  There are seven precepts of the Church every Catholic must follow including weekly Mass attendance.

As the Catechism says, these are obligatory laws “meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor.”  So a natural follow up question to anyone who calls themselves Catholic is, “How often do you go to Mass?”  The Faith in Public Life survey doesn’t ask this question, but it did find that 35% of all young adults polled (not just Catholics) attend “religious services” at least once a week.

Unfortunately, the organization that put this poll together and the media that takes it seriously are more interested in showing how self-identified Catholics reject Church teachings than they are interested in finding out the opinions of faithful, practicing Catholics.

The Faith and American Politics Survey asked those who attend “religious services” once a month if the clergy at the respondent’s place of worship ever speak out about the issue of abortion.  44% of young adults (aged 18-34) said their clergy had spoken out against keeping abortion legal.  Additionally, 25% also said their religious beliefs had the biggest influence on their thoughts on the issue of abortion.

Yesterday [today], a new poll about Catholics and issues important to them was released by people who “get it.”  Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, held a press conference from Rome and Washington’s National Press Club, where he announced the results of the national poll, Moral Issues and Catholic Voters, commissioned by the K of C.

Mr. Anderson stressed the fact that although the economy is the issue at the forefront of everyone’s mind (57% of registered voters and 60% of practicing Catholics say this is the number one issue of the election),  voters prefer a candidate who shares their values.

The two main issues addressed in the survey were abortion and same-sex “marriage” and how average Catholics feel about these moral questions.  An important conclusion is the surprising consensus among Americans about abortion.  Speaking from Rome, Mr. Anderson said the labels of pro-choice or pro-life are no longer adequate and do a disservice to the overall debate because the phrases “magnify division.”

For example, 44% of Americans describe themselves as pro-life and 50% say they are pro-choice, but when asked about the abortion issue in more precise terms, an important concept emerges – 84% of Americans believe abortion should be significantly restricted.  This sentiment flies in the face of Roe v. Wade which currently makes abortion legal during all nine months of pregnancy.

The thing that sets this poll apart from the Faith and American Politics Survey is the fact the Knights of Columbus know what it means to be Catholic.  During today’s press conference, Mr. Anderson cautioned the media, pollsters, and pundits that Catholics are not a “monolithic voting bloc” and are distinguished by two sub-groups, practicing Catholics, which this survey identified as those who attend Mass at least once a month (which I think is pretty weak since Catholics are expected to go at least once a week), and non-practicing Catholics, those who were raised Catholics and for whatever reason have fallen away from the Church, and thus, her teaching.

The Moral Issues and Catholic Voters poll found a distinct difference between practicing and non-practicing Catholics.  46% of non-practicing Catholics, for example, believe same-sex couples should be allowed to legally “marry,” compared to only 22% of practicing Catholics.  The differences, I suspect, would be much different if practicing Catholics were considered to be those who abide by the Church’s precept of weekly attendance at Mass.

Who would practicing Catholic voters choose in the McCain-Obama match up?  The answer is unknown since the Knights of Columbus decided not to ask partisan questions in their poll.  One thing is for certain, though – this will be an historic election for Catholic voters.

By Eric Wilson.

Read other articles by Eric Wilson at www.examiner.com.

               

Acorn registers Mickey Mouse in Florida

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Acorn is undoubtedly corrupt. This is a picture of a voting application registering “Mickey Mouse”. Guess what? It bears an “Acorn” stamp on it.

I smell a rat in this election.

Related news:

ACORN Pays Teenager to falsely register 73 times

Obama tries to distance himself from ACORN

               

Liberal Outrage at Pro-McCain March

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Don’t let the media convince you that McCain’s supporters are mean-spirited while Obama’s supporters are doves. In case you thought that New York liberals were warm-hearted and tolerant, check out this video:

               

“Christians for Obama” (and “McCain Haters for McCain”)

I’ve been really troubled by how many people (including some close friends) have said that you can’t be a Christian and vote for Obama.  Yeah, Obama is wrong on abortion.  But as important as the abortion issue is, it’s not the ONLY issue. I can understand how some Christians may weigh all of the issues (including the war, poverty, etc.) and decide to vote for Obama.  

For example, on Thursday the New York Times (I promise I read other stuff, too) ran an article with a picture of three small children who were killed by American bombs in Afghanistan, along with at least 30 other civilians.  It’s heart-wrenching–you can see it here.  I’m not trying to equate abortion victims with civilian victims of war–on the contrary, I think that there are significant differences there.  But I do think that the war is one of many examples of important issues (along with abortion) that Christians must weigh when choosing a candidate.  I can see how Christians, who value life, might weigh all of the issues in this election and end up voting for Obama–even without agreeing with (or trying to rationalize) his flawed position on abortion.

Even though I’ll probably vote for McCain (do they have bumper stickers that say “McCain Haters for McCain”?), I think it’s reckless and misguided to label someone as a heretic simply because he or she decides to vote another way (especially considering that neither of our choices in this election is all that appealing).  Since both parties’ platforms are significantly deficient, shouldn’t Christians have grace for other Christians who come to a different decision when selecting whom to vote for?  Do we really want to tie the Gospel so closely to a single candidate or political party?

Curious for your thoughts.

               

Second Presidential Debate a Dud

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Last nights “worst-ever-moderated debate” was a dud.

What’s up with McCain suggesting that the government buy up bad mortgages and lower the value? That’s insane.

Still, Obamas’ healthcare program is even crazier and his pro-partial birth abortion policy is not even insane, it is morally evil.

               

Barack Obama’s Supreme Court…

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The Supreme Court may tilt left for the next twenty-five years if our nation elects Barack Obama as our Commander-and-Chief. This means that abortion “rights” will be enshrined in our courtrooms, the homosexual agenda will prevail, and our rights to bear arms and speak freely fall into jeopardy.

Three open slots will likely become available in the next four years: those of John Paul Stevens (age 88), Ruth Ginsburg (age 75), and David Souter (age 69). The president appoints Supreme Court Justices for life and so their influence endures long after the President leaves office. The next president will have the duty of appointing their replacements. Barack Obama is a fierce supporter of abortion and never fails to bend the knee to the most liberal elements within the Democratic party. We know for certain that Obama will see to it that Roe v. Wade is not only secured but strengthened by a Supreme Court made in his own image.

The Supreme Court interprets the law of the land. By appointing the next two or three Justices, Barack Obama’s worldview will shape how our laws are interpreted for another generation. This is why we must  prevent Obama from gaining this power of appointment. Vote against Barack Obama!

               

McCain is losing the electoral college

McCain is falling behind in the electoral college. Before the dip on Monday’s market, McCain maintained a secure edge in five key swing states: Florida, Ohio, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia.

He is no losing all five of those states to Obama by almost a five point margin. This does not look good for the McCain ticket.

I suspect that the Democrats will keep yanking the public’s chain with respect to the “bailout” bill since this seems to be working to Obama’s advantage.

               

Obama and McCain tied up on Sept 22

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Rassumussen tracking has the Presidential race tied at 48% vs. 48% (3000 LV).

               

Electoral Votes – Doing the Math

As of September 19, 2008, Barack Obama has secured 183 electoral votes. McCain has secured 163 electoral votes.

This election is coming down to eight swing states (CO, MI, NH, NV, OH, PA, VA, & WI) which together have a combined total of 99 electoral votes.

The way I see it, it’s going to come down to five of those eight: CO, NH, NV, MI, & OH (I think McCain will secure Virginia and maybe Pennsylvania).

Any predictions?

               

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