So I read that the Catholic Bishops will confront Obama on abortion.. What do you think?

Question

"The nation's Roman Catholic bishops vowed Tuesday to forcefully confront the Obama administration over its support for abortion rights, saying the church and religious freedom could be under attack in the new presidential administration."

Now, I read this and I gotta say.. This seems abit unfair of a statement. When America was started, one of the main reasons we fled England was to escape religious tyranny, correct? Now, I understand THEY feel that they will be under attack if abortion issues are not met to their liking.

But what about those who are not religious? Isn't it a attack on their personal freedoms? I understand it comes with the territory to care so strongly about these issues for religious folk, but I think it is entirely unfair to push beliefs such as these onto the people who meant to escape from just that.

I'm not saying who is wrong or right, so don't flame me with stupid crap like "omg u killed a baby omfg". I personally don't care one way or another if abortion is allowed or stopped for good.

The question I am asking though is this: How do people feel about this issue? Does anyone see it as an attack on personal freedoms? Or perhaps a one-sided battle?

Answer 1

I think that the pope should stay in the vatican and leave us alone. he has his own country to run, albeit a very tiny one, one smaller then my yard practically.



I think it constitutes an attack on my individual freedoms esp the my freedom of(or from) religion.

Answer 2

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That's sounds fine to me.





<<"The nation's Roman Catholic bishops vowed Tuesday to forcefully confront the Obama administration over its support for abortion rights, saying the church and religious freedom could be under attack in the new presidential administration."



But what about those who are not religious? Isn't it a attack on their personal freedoms?>>



No, it's not. Since they're not religious, nothing that takes place regarding religion will have any effect on them.





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What people; what religion SPECIFICALLY are you talking about? The closest you came to any reference to them is "THEY".

"They" is not a religion. Also, moral objections to abortion isn't merely a Christian perspective. Jews, Muslims, among other are all opposed to abortion - or "should be", put it that way.



Some people came to America to escape religious oppression and persecution. They are guaranteed the right to practice their religion, in part, because the moral principles upon which the Justice system in this country is based are Judeo-Christian principles.



"Principles" constitute neither a specific "religion" nor "doctrine".





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I am saying abortion IS wrong. Fact is, abortion is the murder of unborn human beings, It's not stupid. If you care about life, as life is Sacred, you should have an opinion - albeit a strong opinion - when it comes to the abortion issue.





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The abortion issue is certainly non-negotiable. There is no middle-ground. Morally speaking, abortion simply cannot be allowed, no matter what specious "freedom" people feel is being trampled upon.



There are no circumstances in which abortion can be considered the morally proper alternative because abortion always results in the destruction of a totally innocent unborn human being.

Answer 3

Let me enlighten you my friend. Abortion should not be a religious issue- everyone who lives should believe that life is precious, and that life begins at conception (because it has been scientifically proven). Why does it bother you so much that a group of people, no matter if they are Roman Catholic bishops or your next door neighbors would question our newly elected Pres. about any issue? How can this be an attack on personal freedom? The bishops should have freedom to speak out , just as much as Obama, don't you think? I know that you did not want any comments about "baby killing"- but you say you don't care one way or another. Your comments say otherwise. IF you did not care of abortion was stopped, you would not be verbally assaulting the people who want it stopped.

Answer 4

I believe that no one forces a woman to have an abortion neither do they force them to open their legs and have sex. Now if it was something that was forced on them then that is something that they have to deal with within whether they want to carry the baby or not. Personally I do not believe in abortion and I don't think that it is right but a woman have free will to do whatever it is that they want to their body. Even if he tries to pass that bill no one is gonna make a woman go to a clinic and get one. I would prefer adoption but that's just me. But like I said no one can force someone to have a abortion get pregnant or to give the baby up for adoption or to a family member that will take care of the baby until you can support it

Answer 5

Personally I see this as a failure of American constitutional rights. "...the church and religious freedom could be under attack in the new presidential administration." sums up a combination of church and state. Unless Americans wish to go back to the Ancient Regime society that they broke away from so many years ago, there should be a review of the Rights of Man.



The church should stay completely separated from the government. There is no reason for the Bishops to confront Obama on the issue of abortion. Let the church be pro-life, and government pro-choice...and let the people pick which one they want to support.

Answer 6

of direction we do. Why does no longer we? don't be stupid. The Bible is the notice of God. It contains no longer something yet truthfulness. each individual who claims to be the follower of Jesus Christ ought to study the Bible each now and then, if no longer every day. My mom is a non secular Catholic and he or she frequently reads the Bible in the previous praying rosary and novena every day. It has replace right into a habit of hers and element of her every day ordinary/existence form. on the subject of Catholic church homes/training by no capacity inspire to study the Bible, I call that BULLSH*T. whether human beings think of the church does not inspire straightforwardly, to my know-how the Catholic Church has by no capacity forbidden absolutely everyone from analyzing the Bible. no count number in case you want to study the Bible or no longer, that's all as much as YOU to make the 1st step and commence it. Why should you wait till somebody inform you to do it???

Answer 7

Wait? I may be missing something but, how is that attacking their religious freedom?



I mean if they don't want too have an abortion because of religious purposes then don't. Doesn't mean that somebody else has too.



I don't know. I think people should be able too have an abortion IF they cannot support the child. I also believe that those people shouldn't have too deal with people heckling them for killing a baby.

Answer 8

I don`t want to push my opinions on others ether but i though about the term pro choice an asked myself what is the difference between that and the right to kill an unborn baby and i can`t find an answer

Answer 9

I think he should attack them on the issues of homosexual priests and child sexual abuse.

It's not as though anyone is expecting Roman Catholic bishops to have abortions, is it.

They seem to want to control every aspect of every body's life.

We don't need their moral hypocrisy

Answer 10

I think that they will make a token gesture.



No-one forces Catholic people to have abortions, so their religious freedom is not affected. They seek to remove that freedom from other people though.



They are attempting to put the will of the voting public to one side.



If they continue to campaign they should have their charitable tax status removed as per federal law.

Answer 11

is it our right to kill a defenseless unborn child that's a right? that is SAD!! why do children who are on this earth already have more rights than the unborn why why why!!! why is killing outside of the womb only considered murder? why isin't it considered murder when killing within the womb? it's innocent right, doesn't our law state innocent until proven guilty? what is this unborn child guilty of? a one night stand? a disability? WHAT AHHH!! I am not Catholic but I am a believer and I totally AGREE with what these brave great men are doing, someone has to be a voice for them!

Answer 12

I think it within the responsibility of the Church to let politicians know Roman Catholic doctrine. Nancy Pelosi and other Catholic Democrats
Biden> need to know what their Church actually says. They seem to forget quite often.



http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/27/catholic-bishops-assail-pelosi-over-her-remarks-on/



Our country allows religious freedom also, even to Catholics, and religious leaders also have the right to free speech.

Answer 13

How is that an attack? Nobody forces them to do abortions...

Answer 14

It's silly. Our laws shouldn't be governed by the beliefs of one religious group.

Answer 15

I think if the Catholic Church wants to involve itself in politics, it should have to give up its tax-exempt status.

Answer 16

The solution is the catholics follow the god of the catholics. the baptists follow the god of the baptists. the mormons follow the gods and goddesses of the mormons. etc. etc. 8~)

Answer 17

The church should confront obama.abortion is murder.

Answer 18

Who better to speak for those who cannot speak than the clergy?



You should read the transcript more carefully. The bishops are not asking Obama to make abortion illegal, so people will still have the freedom to get abortions, perform abortions and pay for abortions if that is what they wish to do.



However, what President-Elect Obama has *promised* to do is to force Catholics to materially participate in abortion. If you doubt me, go look at the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) yourself. One of the things Mr. Obama has promised to do "first" is to sign FOCA, and FOCA will mean my hard-earned money will pay for the abortions I believe are morally wrong. Where's my freedom of religion when I have to pay for what I consider to be murder? (And yes, I'm already peeved that I have to pay for war and capitol punishment -- I'm against both of those, too.)



Furthermore, FOCA denies any individual the right to religious freedom by banning all morality clauses. Which means doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals who are morally opposed to abortion will be forced to participate in them. Where is their freedom of religion when they have to do what they consider murder?



And on top of that, FOCA will demand that Catholic institutions participate in abortion and other medical procedures that we consider to be morally wrong or shut down. Where is their freedom of religion if they have to provide services they consider to be morally reprehensible?



Your freedom ends where mine begins, and mine ends where yours begin. I'm not trying to outlaw abortion (although I wouldn't mind seeing that happen. I'm trying to reduce the number of abortions in other ways, including helping mothers in crisis pregnancies in financial, practical, spiritual and emotional ways. But I'm not trying to make YOUR choice for you.



With FOCA, Barack Obama *is* trying to make my choice for me. It's wrong, and the bishops are correct in pointing that out to him and doing everything the can to convince him to change his mind.



+++ HERE IS THE BISHOPS' STATEMENT +++



STATEMENT of the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops



“If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.” (Psalm 127, vs. 1)



The Bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States welcome this moment of historic transition and look forward to working with President-elect Obama and the members of the new Congress for the common good of all. Because of the Church’s history and the scope of her ministries in this country, we want to continue our work for economic justice and opportunity for all; our efforts to reform laws around immigration and the situation of the undocumented; our provision of better education and adequate health care for all, especially for women and children; our desire to safeguard religious freedom and foster peace at home and abroad. The Church is intent on doing good and will continue to cooperate gladly with the government and all others working for these goods.



The fundamental good is life itself, a gift from God and our parents. A good state protects the lives of all. Legal protection for those members of the human family waiting to be born in this country was removed when the Supreme Court decided Roe vs. Wade in 1973. This was bad law. The danger the Bishops see at this moment is that a bad court decision will be enshrined in bad legislation that is more radical than the 1973 Supreme Court decision itself.



In the last Congress, a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was introduced that would, if brought forward in the same form today, outlaw any “interference” in providing abortion at will. It would deprive the American people in all fifty states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry. FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. It would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government and others of good will to reduce the number of abortions in our country.



Parental notification and informed consent precautions would be outlawed, as would be laws banning procedures such as partial-birth abortion and protecting infants born alive after a failed abortion. Abortion clinics would be deregulated. The Hyde Amendment restricting the federal funding of abortions would be abrogated. FOCA would have lethal consequences for prenatal human life.



FOCA would have an equally destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children. It would threaten Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Charities. It would be an evil law that would further divide our country, and the Church should be intent on opposing evil.



On this issue, the legal protection of the unborn, the bishops are of one mind with Catholics and others of good will. They are also pastors who have listened to women whose lives have been diminished because they believed they had no choice but to abort a baby. Abortion is a medical procedure that kills, and the psychological and spiritual consequences are written in the sorrow and depression of many women and men. The bishops are single-minded because they are, first of all, single-hearted.



The recent election was principally decided out of concern for the economy, for the loss of jobs and homes and financial security for families, here and around the world. If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion, the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve. Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected. Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion.



This statement is written at the request and direction of all the Bishops, who also want to thank all those in politics who work with good will to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Those in public life do so, sometimes, at the cost of great sacrifice to themselves and their families; and we are grateful. We express again our great desire to work with all those who cherish the common good of our nation. The common good is not the sum total of individual desires and interests; it is achieved in the working out of a common life based upon good reason and good will for all.



Our prayers accompany President-elect Obama and his family and those who are cooperating with him to assure a smooth transition in government. Many issues demand immediate attention on the part of our elected “watchman.” (Psalm 127) May God bless him and our country.