tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post1031707074549244010..comments2024-03-25T20:03:03.657-06:00Comments on Καθολικός διάκονος: Making political judgments: where truth confronts ideologyDeacon Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-54504691317754712722011-04-14T06:53:13.438-06:002011-04-14T06:53:13.438-06:00Here is where the charism of which I am part, Comm...Here is where the charism of which I am part, Communion and Liberation, is most useful, besides helping me to overcome ideology. As faithful Christians we can lament being victims of a system that sees us as incoherent. This, however, is not the way of Christ. Rather, using all the gifts at our disposal, using all the means at our disposal, we work as leaven to transform our political culture from within.<br /><br />Look at the success of the pro-life movement over the past 15-20 years. Sure, we're not there yet, but look at the tide change! We should never despair, but, as our Blessed JPII, who knew a little something about effecting change in the world, always said- Do not be afraid. Follow Christ. Following Him means trusting Him.Dcn Scott Dodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994604395739905637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-5302651905276112312011-04-14T06:20:05.452-06:002011-04-14T06:20:05.452-06:00Dear M:
I understand your frustration all too we...Dear M:<br /><br /> I understand your frustration all too well. However, it is not my job to tell you or anyone else how to vote, let alone who you should vote for. This is not even the job of the bishops collectively, or of individual bishops. Their job is to teach us and assist us in properly forming our consciences. I make no secret of the fact that guided as we are by our faith, we are in a difficult, but not impossible position. <br /><br />I think overcoming the kind of moral equivalence I address in this post gives us a good key. At the end of the day, some issues matter more than others, regardless as to how we might judge those other issues. Point of fact, we're going to have to cast votes for candidates with whom we do not agree on a number of issues, but with whom we agree on fundamental matters. I can honestly state that I can't remember the last time I cast a vote that I walked away feeling good about.<br /><br />Archbishop Niederauer speaks very well about the collapse of the political center as really made things difficult for Catholics as citizens in the U.S. Just look at where John McCain was forced to go in his last campaign in Arizona. This is typified by basically rejecting his previously constructive and moderate views on immigration. Also, look at Sen Bennett here in Utah, who was beaten by someone who is a genuine right-wing ideologue. I mean, he is a conservative, but isn't terribly ideological, meaning he was willing to look at issues and not always vote with his party, etc.Dcn Scott Dodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994604395739905637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-21185815699132487862011-04-13T23:10:57.705-06:002011-04-13T23:10:57.705-06:00So how do we vote?
Mark Shea is going down the ro...So how do we vote?<br /><br />Mark Shea is going down the road of (apparently his usual) independent candidate:<br /><br />http://www.insidecatholic.com/feature/awaken-the-army-of-davids.html<br /><br />It seems a "no-brainer" for some Quixotic and plucky Catholics to put together (as you said, superficially a very incoherent grab-bag) a plateform of common-good positions influenced by basic rights, CST and prudential judgement and make a public stand - so why doesn't this happen?<br /><br />We have the same sort of politics, broadly, in the UK, which lumps together the "officially left/right -wing" policies and admits of little deviation for the sake of inconvenient facts - except without much pretence of any overarching moral or religious motivation, here it's all about "pragmatism" and "hard decisions without right answers".<br /><br />Question is the same though, why doesn't anyone make a simple and pointed public stand?<br /><br />MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com