Faith and the Voting Stylus

Did I spell "stylus" right? Johnny? Jeanz? anybody???

The following post really begins in the comments section from Saturday’s post. Once again it is me blah blah blahing against g-Bushy and why, whatever substance may be lacking in Obama, he fits my image of presidential… I dunno, he’s slicker than the other two, I want to believe that his presidency (more than the other two) will move to end this mistake in I-rock, and if it has to be a Democrat I’d rather it be BO than the Baby Boomer warrior with all the divisive aids/experts/public policy douchebags she will bring with her.

In the comments field a dear friend and relative of mine suggested that as a Catholic he could not vote for Senator Obama because he (Obama, not my dear friend) has a 100% approval from the NARAL. This dear friend also suggested that “social issues are still important to a few people.”

That is a fine statement and I think serious Catholics can put forward such propositions, or it is certainly not for me to say that to do so constitutes error, grave or otherwise.

But I would say that one’s Catholicism and voting behavior seems to me to be a bit more nuanced and it might go too far to say that matters of one’s faith and politics can be measured by ratings scales put forward by PACs for or against abortion rights, or for or against anything for that matter.

The realm of PACs and lobbyist organizations both “religious” and secular offer direction and vigor for those who seek to be inspired or angered by them. Yet, I think as a Catholic voter, I can stop and wonder about the extent to which my decision as a man of faith and as an American voter can or ought to be shaped by such groups outside my faith.

Hell, I seriously question the legislative agendas of actual Catholic groups on “social issues.”

There are a number of Catholic PACs or organizations resembling PACs concerned with Social Justice, I don’t think this was what was meant by “social issues” in the original comments.

Consider Network's (basically Catholic lobbyists) top issues on their agenda:

Issues on NETWORK's agenda include:

• Just and fair treatment for immigrants

• Affordable housing

• Healthcare for all

• Retirement security

• Food security

• Wage equity

• Peace in Iraq through economic development

• Fair and just global trade and responsible investment

• Fair and just taxation

• Investment in human needs domestically and globally

Are they hippies disguising themselves as Catholics? There's stuff on this list that both ole kobe and I would consider to be good things but wouldn't be comfortable saying they are the primary concerns of our faith.

How's about the Diocese of Cleveland Social Action Office. ..

Their mission statement:

"The Social Action Office of the Diocese of Cleveland seeks to shape a more caring society and a more peaceful world through justice education, advocacy, community development and organizing. Our work is based on the call of the Gospel to work for the elimination of poverty, to speak out against injustice, and to promote the common good."

Again, all fine goals, not the primary goal of the Catholic faith, to preach the Good News and help us understand the reality of Christ's revelation in this world and beyond. The mission statement above seems to be rather this worldly.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minnesota's Office for Social Justice offers a questionnaire for candidates (this goes back to 2006)

Here are their leading issues:

1. Economic Development

2. Education

3. Health

4. Immigration

5. Life Issues

Ok, technically these are arranged alphabetically in the PDF so I’m not trying to say that “Life Issues” barely crack the Top 5, but they cared enough about the other 4 to arrange all the leading issues alphabetically.

Sorry.

This post is not designed to win some argument and say that Catholics ought not refer to political candidate ratings guides…

My only thought was to suggest that the American political landscape is complex. The Catholic response/reaction/muddling through – whatever you want to call it - to democracy in America is equally complex.

As a Catholic, I’d be reticent to say that my faith offers much of a guide in this or any election on hot-button issues, social issues, whatever we call such things from time to time. I am glad g-Bushy picked the Supreme Court jerkasses…er justices that he did…not because I am a Catholic, but because I am a reader and lover of the US Constitution. I believe Chief Justice Roberts to love and hold in the highest regard, those things as well.

But this has little to do with my faith, and my life as a Catholic. The beginning and ending of my being as a Catholic and life on this earth is to see Christ in others and exhibit all that which is Christlike...or at least all that I can muster.

How am I doing so far?

That bad huh...

I don't know how much of this can be done either in the voting booth by choosing candidates who claim to hold values that Christians ought to hold or in following the guidelines of religious or political groups who seem to be very much rooted in the affairs of this world.

Finally, this should in no way be seen as some sort of rebuke of my dear friend and relative's thoughtful statement regarding his faith and his voting preference.

This post has more to do with me, my faith, my confusion as a man of faith and as a voter, and least but definitely not last (?) my political opinions and or behavior.

That's it for now. I promise that tomorrow I'll try to throw in some observations on Bill Garver's saucy ass. You know he's just begging for it.