Here's my two cents on Catholics and the Democratic Party. Back in the late 1970's and early 1980s, I was both a Catholic and a Democrat. I think the anti-abortion issue caused the separation. The Catholic Church became very vocal and joined with other churches in the pro-life movement and shifted to the Republican Party because the Republican Party chose to rally voters around that issue. Now we cannot even have a conversation, because it's assumed if you aren't voting Republican that you support the "murder" of babies. No one wants to hear me out when I say I don't support abortion, but that I believe that the issue is far more complicated than the pro-life movement wants to admit. I believe that God is not calling us to force women to carry pregnancies against their will. That He's given us free-will. As a nurse I know that things can go wrong with a pregnancy and sometimes medical intervention is needed to save the mom's life. And I believe that if you say you're pro-life that should include feeding the poor, providing medical care for the sick and treating immigrants with respect and dignity. I also believe that in some cases the church actually drives women to get abortions because of the shame it heaps on unmarried women who get pregnant. And finally I believe if we made changes to society like teaching boys how to treat women with respect, and made sure people can make a living wage that the rate of abortions would go down. But my Republican friends won't even listen to what I have to say. In their minds I'm a lost cause. I know I'm not the only person of faith who has been ostracized for voting Democrat. I don't know how the Democratic Party can speak to people of faith under these conditions.
Another great interview. I appreciated the comment of frustration with the conference of Catholic Bishops and think that has to be examined with critiques about the Democratic party not reaching out to Catholics enough. Many committed Catholics in congress have spoken of their faith and been criticized as not being the right kind of Catholics. This extends to those in parishes as well. It will be hard for the democratic party to reach out to the Catholics who have little understanding of the social justice history of the church and feel compelled to listen and follow the bishops more than their well formed, prayerful consciences. But! We must keep trying.
A recent dating relationship with a church-going Catholic man gave me a bad taste. Even though he was originally Californian moved to NC, his views were too conservative and tied to liturgical and Jesuit-led opinion-forming. It appeared that the church in Carolina is about as wrapped up in the kool-aid drinking as Southern Baptists are...
We are a blue city which is the capitol in a blue state and somehow have a very conservative Bishop who exposes exclusionary policies and critical of Pope Francis. Many of my Catholic friends have found it difficult to find a welcoming non-integralist church. While not Catholic, I find theological resonance with the Franciscan focus on social justice, transformation and social activism in living out the teachings of Jesus. Thank you both for this important conversation and the work you do!
I feel it is about abortion and lghbt+.with dictates from men in power
In my spiritual journey.. Jesus or any other major spiritual leader are rhe same. I was Bible thumper Lutheran.. went and studied the western Catholicism.. became Catholic because of living faith but discarded men omnipotent power over faithful ..
Both taught of damnation and judgemental of law vs eastern orthodox search as a journey.
My husband is a wounded ex Catholic. He is a Vietnam era activist.
I am Unitarian Universalist by birth. My congregation is in NW Philadelphia and is active in local and national social justice.
I recently co -facilitated a of an antiracism governance course. The topic we chose was Power With, shared power that grows out of collaboration and relationships. It is built on respect, mutual support, shared power, solidarity, influence empowerment and collaborative decision making. Power With is linked to social power, the influence we wield among equals. Power with can build bridges within groups( e.g. families, organizations, social change movements) or across differences ( e.g. gender, culture, class). Rather than domination and control, power with leads to collective action and the ability to act together.
Power is the ability to get things done and it allows up to influence people. We need power to stop injustice, to protect the environment and others and to create change.
Here's my two cents on Catholics and the Democratic Party. Back in the late 1970's and early 1980s, I was both a Catholic and a Democrat. I think the anti-abortion issue caused the separation. The Catholic Church became very vocal and joined with other churches in the pro-life movement and shifted to the Republican Party because the Republican Party chose to rally voters around that issue. Now we cannot even have a conversation, because it's assumed if you aren't voting Republican that you support the "murder" of babies. No one wants to hear me out when I say I don't support abortion, but that I believe that the issue is far more complicated than the pro-life movement wants to admit. I believe that God is not calling us to force women to carry pregnancies against their will. That He's given us free-will. As a nurse I know that things can go wrong with a pregnancy and sometimes medical intervention is needed to save the mom's life. And I believe that if you say you're pro-life that should include feeding the poor, providing medical care for the sick and treating immigrants with respect and dignity. I also believe that in some cases the church actually drives women to get abortions because of the shame it heaps on unmarried women who get pregnant. And finally I believe if we made changes to society like teaching boys how to treat women with respect, and made sure people can make a living wage that the rate of abortions would go down. But my Republican friends won't even listen to what I have to say. In their minds I'm a lost cause. I know I'm not the only person of faith who has been ostracized for voting Democrat. I don't know how the Democratic Party can speak to people of faith under these conditions.
Another great interview. I appreciated the comment of frustration with the conference of Catholic Bishops and think that has to be examined with critiques about the Democratic party not reaching out to Catholics enough. Many committed Catholics in congress have spoken of their faith and been criticized as not being the right kind of Catholics. This extends to those in parishes as well. It will be hard for the democratic party to reach out to the Catholics who have little understanding of the social justice history of the church and feel compelled to listen and follow the bishops more than their well formed, prayerful consciences. But! We must keep trying.
Enjoyed this discussion. Reminded me a lot of my journey thus far and the responsibilities I have yet to fulfill.
Just what I needed to hear this Sunday morning. Headed out to weed the garden and be alone with my thoughts & prayers and God’s gift of nature.
Yes, it's important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. At the same time, we must guard against drowning the baby IN the bathwater!
A recent dating relationship with a church-going Catholic man gave me a bad taste. Even though he was originally Californian moved to NC, his views were too conservative and tied to liturgical and Jesuit-led opinion-forming. It appeared that the church in Carolina is about as wrapped up in the kool-aid drinking as Southern Baptists are...
Great interview! Thanks for the viewpoint and how the small impacts the large. It's what we coose and how we approach life.
We are a blue city which is the capitol in a blue state and somehow have a very conservative Bishop who exposes exclusionary policies and critical of Pope Francis. Many of my Catholic friends have found it difficult to find a welcoming non-integralist church. While not Catholic, I find theological resonance with the Franciscan focus on social justice, transformation and social activism in living out the teachings of Jesus. Thank you both for this important conversation and the work you do!
Thanks to both of you for a really great conversation about faith filled activism.
I feel it is about abortion and lghbt+.with dictates from men in power
In my spiritual journey.. Jesus or any other major spiritual leader are rhe same. I was Bible thumper Lutheran.. went and studied the western Catholicism.. became Catholic because of living faith but discarded men omnipotent power over faithful ..
Both taught of damnation and judgemental of law vs eastern orthodox search as a journey.
Great discussion. Thank you.
My husband is a wounded ex Catholic. He is a Vietnam era activist.
I am Unitarian Universalist by birth. My congregation is in NW Philadelphia and is active in local and national social justice.
I recently co -facilitated a of an antiracism governance course. The topic we chose was Power With, shared power that grows out of collaboration and relationships. It is built on respect, mutual support, shared power, solidarity, influence empowerment and collaborative decision making. Power With is linked to social power, the influence we wield among equals. Power with can build bridges within groups( e.g. families, organizations, social change movements) or across differences ( e.g. gender, culture, class). Rather than domination and control, power with leads to collective action and the ability to act together.
Power is the ability to get things done and it allows up to influence people. We need power to stop injustice, to protect the environment and others and to create change.
Graehm Stuart. 2023