January 12, 2004
Selling your Soul for Power
[ rant ]
A confession: I’m sick of politicians who see religion as strictly a tool that helps them get votes. It churns my stomach to think that they would give something as important as their faith in order to get elected.
To be more specific, I find it difficult to have any pity for a politician claiming to be Catholic who does things such as support abortion. Wesley Clark is the prime example at this point: a Catholic who attends a Presbyterian Church and is pro-abortion, but still claims to be a Catholic. Sickening.
I understand that the struggle for power will always be a lure for some. But the lengths we go to get power, essentially selling our souls, is heartbreaking. These presidential hopefuls are grown men, who should have more sense. OpenBook just linked to this Beliefnet article detailing the Presidential candidates and their positions. I am disappointed that Beliefnet didn’t include some information about how they vote – particularly on pro-Life issues, but overall it gives you some decent information. I think you can make out the newest trend in presidential politics: see how many religions you can claim to be a part of. It reduces faith to the role of a mere tool to trick voters that want to believe a candidate has some moral backbone. Clark can claim 3 (or 4), Dean 2 (or 3), and Kerry is now trying to claim 2.
It’s scary how many were raised Catholic or claim Catholicism, since the entire caucus is dedicated to killing unborn babies (and violating Catholic teachings). For those who haven’t heard about the Bishop Raymond Burke of Wisconsin, he banned pro-abortion politicians from accepting communion in his diocese (he is soon to be the Archbishop of St. Louis). In my opinion (humbly), we need more of this. As a Catholic, I’m tired of seeing these politicians claim my faith and simply ignore its teachings. Some have suggested that other U.S. bishops are watching to decide whether to emulate the move – let’s hope they do. This should serve as a wakeup call to politicians who speak from both sides of their mouth.
By the way, Christians shouldn’t vote for pro-abortion politicians. Period. Catholics especially so if the politicians claim to be Catholic!
[ rant over ]
God bless,
Jay
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Great article Jay! I just wanted to give you an "Amen!"
Voting is a priveledge we should all take advantage of. When we choose not to vote because we think it won't make a difference we are sitting back and allowing havoc into our official offices. It's not always an easy task to be educated on the politicians we are voting for, thank you for the link you gave us. If anyone knows of another site that would give more details please post it here. (specifically a politicians stand- and record of keeping to that stand- on abortion)
Krista
Posted by: Krista at January 13, 2004 10:29 AMAbortion has become my primary concern in voting. I hate to say it, because it sounds like I am copping out and taking the easy road. But no other topic affects so many lives DIRECTLY than abortion. Nothing even comes close to the millions that die each year because of this dreadful policy.
So...if someone wants my vote, Repub, Dem, Green, Indep, whatever....they had better say PRO-LIFE when asked.
Posted by: savrx at January 13, 2004 12:28 PMSorry...but one more comment.
"Some have suggested that other U.S. bishops are watching to decide whether to emulate the move.."
What kind of hog crap is that? I'm sorry but I for one am getting SICK AND TIRED of those who are supposed to be leading the faithful, waiting to see what "everyone else does" before doing what is right. I know Christ promised that the Gates of Hell would not overcome His Church, and I believe that to be true....but we are damned close in this country.
Posted by: savrx at January 13, 2004 12:31 PMInteresting point savrx. I remember that Scott Hahn, in his biblical commentary tape series on the book of Revelation, stated that the Church of Ephesus was given the mildest warning, telling them that the one thing held against them was "that you have abandoned the love you had at first" (Rev 2:4). America was founded as a country under God, yet we practically abondoned that entirely. As a nation we kill the unborn (I fear the elderly will soon follow), glorify homosexuality and fornication, encourage divorce, and attempt to tear down the family, not to mention the continual slandering and defacing of anything sacred. Back to Ephesus, they obviously didn't heed the warning in Revelations for today there is not a single Christian church in Ephesus (modern day Turkey) and it is illegal to say the Mass. We should heed this warning...how long will God allow us to continue on as we are? Only He knows...
In Christ,
Joe
what profits a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? brothers and sisters, this is bigger than the abortion issue. this is will the next President allow human cloning, nuclear war, and a unitary money system to come into place in our country. countries like China control population with abortion, now that's sickening. those people have no choice. a true Man of God wouldn't have let the 10 Commandments (George Bush) be taken out of a courthouse, he would have had thousands made just like it and had them placed in every courthouse. God knew that these times would come for us and the Church (us believers) would have to hold firm and keep the Faith during these prophetic times. i'm not worried because i'm not a lover of this world but the that we will inherit. i'm i prompt for the next President no, but i am ready for the King's Return!
Posted by: Paul Baccus at January 30, 2004 11:28 AMPaul,
It's a natural conclusion...If you're pro-choice and support the killing of children in the womb you are making a pretty loud statement about the state of your soul. If you are a true follower of Christ, you are pro-life...period. Murder is murder, and God is perfectly clear on this one.
In Christ,
Joe
Joe,
we can't base all of our hopes in a candidate just because he is pro-life. we have to see where his heart is for the position and how does he view the responsibilities for us who are here, now. my soul is already accounted for in the Book of Life, no matter what i may chose (Romans 8:38). let's look in between the lines. Jesus said that He did not come to condemn but to save. God had people killed time after time because of their sinful ways and disobedience, so who are we to judge a man's character. last week the girl who decided to keep the baby, that's great but, are you going to pay child care, clothe, feed and help raise that child personally. i hope that you are because if you aren't this next president will have to make some concession for it out of our hard earned money. people have to learn to take responsibility for all of their actions whether it's deciding to car buy, going to war, having pre-martial sex or getting the wrong interest-rate on a loan. we can't decide for everybody Catholics, we can't. each man will be judged according to his transgressions, so choose your man accordingly.
in Christ,
Paul
Paul,
We can and should immediately eliminate any candidate from consideration if they are pro-abortion. It's that simple. As you say, everyone will be judged for their actions and their actions including whether or not they voted for a pro-abortion candidate, so choose accordingly. Paul, abortion is always the greater of two evils. Don't support pro-abortion candidates. Period. It's that simple. Your other comments were mismash, so I skipped them. By the way: Have you answered any of our questions yet?
God bless,
Jay
joe,
i don't know what mismash that you're talking about. personally looking at these clowns and i don't like any of them. but yes i have answered your questions as far as i'm concerned, look a little harder. i'm really loving Jon Cohen's insight from a (Pro-testants of real faith) point of view, God sent him to do all of the unnecessary research for me. one prayer answered. i love the way he addresses all of the Catholic Spear-rituals, you guys aim at moralizing the world with. both of you guys are apparently history lovers, keep it up; it's great to read.
Paul
Posted by: Paul Baccus at February 4, 2004 06:35 PMNot sure who you're commenting to here. In reference to Jon's comments...not sure what historical aspect you're referring to. Jay, Dave, and I have provided multiple historical and biblical proofs that support the Catholic Faith. We're still waiting for some from you. Jon hasn't claimed to be engaging in any kind of historical or biblical debate, but rather a grammatical one...which, as he like to say, is ambiguous at best.
In Christ,
Joe
Happy Independence Day, fellow Americans. In the spirit of our most idealistic Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson, let us this year study more intensely, work more efficiently, aspire more frequently, and love more endlessly. We, as Americans, are able to define ourselves, reinvent ourselves, and push ourselves toward the ideal human that Jefferson aspired to becoming daily. Take advantage of the liberties and freedoms you have in the U.S. to become worthwhile to society. Let us not prove Jefferson to have overestimated the quality of the fruit borne of individual liberty. July 4, 2007 – God Bless America. Happy Birthday to you all!
Michael O.
