As the State Preys, the Church Prays

We stand looking forward at a pivotal point in our country's history. Some say with Obama, Socialism will come to America. Others far wiser than me say America has been Socialist-lite for years, Obama will simply bring us out of the closet; make us honest about who we really are. Are we Socialist? Do we want to go that direction? Do we want Government to take care of us, to play a God without God, to make our decisions, deeming who gets what money for what and when, like much of Europe, like all of Cuba, Venezuela, China, the old USSR? Is Capitalism falling prey to Socialism once and "for all"?

And as Socialism preys, another group prays. With the progression of the election, I noticed phenomena not seen in prior campaigns. Catholics, as an organized group, are making statements, praying publicly about the presidential race. At first I thought the stir was over Pelosi's asinine statements regarding pro-choice Catholics combined with V.P. candidate, Biden pulling a John Kerry, attempting to trade off his Catholic faith while talking out the other side of his mouth with a pro-choice agenda. But there have been pro-choice Catholics in politics running before without this level of outcry. There must be another motivation that did not exist prior.

Something is quite different this go 'round. The push is intense. Bishops are writing letters to parishes, organized Catholic groups are sending daily emails out by the hundreds of thousands, Catholic issue-based videos, powerfully produced are flying around the internet ad infinitum, and church bulletins come complete with Catholic issue guides printed in black and white, literally and figuratively. Quite amazingly and most importantly, fellow Catholics, friends who usually steer clear from political discussion are talking, posing questions, making points, putting faith in the equation before the lever is pulled. A case in point, my friend Jeff had a conversation today with his brother who happens to be a priest. As the conversation turned to politics, Fr. Neal told his brother, "Democracy must be based on the true and solid fundamentals of non-negotiable ethical principles which are the under-pinion of life and society." Fr. Neal continued by pointing Jeff to the 5 Non-Negotiable Issues separating the wheat from the chaff when it comes to politicians and Catholic doctrine.

THE FIVE NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES

1. Abortion

2. Euthanasia

3. Fetal Stem Cell Research

4. Human Cloning

5. Homosexual "Marriage"

Jeff googled the 5NNI's and found a lengthy step by step analysis of how to make an educated, morally correct choice of a political candidate. He sent this on to me. Like the other Catholic emails, letters and flyers I've read, all are clear to point out that "no candidate or political party is endorsed" but I can't help but read between the lines. The portion I found most interesting was the section headed...HOW NOT TO VOTE.

(I've inserted my opinion as to which presidential candidate each item favors noted by *.)

1. Do not base your vote on your political party affiliation, your earlier voting habits, or your family's voting tradition. Years ago, these may have been trustworthy ways to determine whom to vote for, but today they are not reliable. You need to look at each candidate as an individual. This means that you may end up casting votes for candidates from more than one party.

(*Technically a toss-up, though Catholics use to heavily vote Democrat, more and more have shifted to Republican prior to this election, hence, this guideline is neutral.)

2. Do not cast your vote based on candidates' appearance, personality, or "media savvy." Some attractive, engaging, and "sound-bite-capable" candidates endorse intrinsic evils and so should be opposed, while other candidates, who may be plain-looking, uninspiring, and ill at ease in front of cameras, endorse legislation in accord with basic Christian principles.

(*This guideline favors McCain, dontcha think? Or more correctly, disses Obama, but discreetly, of course.)

3. Do not vote for candidates simply because they declare themselves to be Catholic. Unfortunately, many self-described Catholic candidates reject basic Catholic moral teaching. They are "Catholic" only when seeking votes from Catholics.

(*Joe Biden, I believe this one's about you. McCain wins this one too.)

4. Do not choose among candidates based on "What's in it for me?" Make your decision based on which candidates seem most likely to promote the common good, even if you will not benefit directly or immediately from the legislation they propose.

(*I believe this one could be in favor of Obama since he wants to spread the wealth in the name of the common good but then again, if tearing down the "haves" to give to the "have nots" results in everyone being a "have not", not sure if that's for the common good. However, I'll say, short term, Obama.)

5. Do not reward with your vote candidates who are right on lesser issues but who are wrong on key moral issues. One candidate may have a record of voting exactly as you wish, aside from voting also in favor of, say, euthanasia. Such a candidate should not get your vote. Candidates need to learn that being wrong on even one of the non-negotiable issues is enough to exclude them from consideration.

(*Another clear point for McCain with this one. Total: 1-Neutral, 1-Obama, 3-McCain.

*And here's the guideline just in case Rudy Guiliani had been the Republican nominee:

WHEN THERE IS NO "ACCEPTABLE" CANDIDATE

In some political races, each candidate takes a wrong position on one or more of the five non-negotiables. In such a case you may vote for the candidate who takes the fewest such positions or who seems least likely to be able to advance immoral legislation, or you may choose to vote for no one.

So, is the Catholic Church pulling for Republicans? Is the Catholic Church vying for political status? I surmise that neither is the case. I do believe the Catholic Church knows better than any other entity what happens to a society when Socialism takes hold. Religion, all religion is shown the gulag door with Catholicism first in line. Catholicism is on its last legs in Europe with a government promoting secularism as the new progressive belief system and we all know where the Catholic Church stands in political climates such as Cuba, China and the defunct USSR.

With the scars of the Church's sex abuse scandal combined with pro-choice Catholics justifying the differences in opinion on abortion, the Church is undercut in its teachings and weakened in its voice when addressing the faithful. This call for choosing morally acceptable leaders may have gone out too late, with too little influence, falling on too many deaf and progressive ears. Yet the fervent prayer continues as hope refuses to concede.

I don't question the sincerity of the Catholic Church's focus on abortion or any of the other "non-negotiable issues". However, I believe prior to this election, the Church thought it could champion these causes outside of politics, remaining above the fray. Fighting from the sidelines will no longer be possible. Now, with the threat of a real socialist agenda staring it in its face, it is my opinion that the Catholic Church recognizes this particular evil, seeing the Church's very future in the United States hanging in the balance. Did recognition come in time to change the tide of the secular forces? No one believed Europe would turn away from the Church yet the reality of socialism tells a different story. Will Catholics make a difference in the election? And if so, in what way? I cannot answer these questions. The variables are too numerous to make a call on this. As a Catholic, as a Christian, what I can do is pray to have the tools to face whatever comes next.