ENOUGH ALREADY! My response to a colleague on the parish council..

[Richardo]

...who insists on distributing the Kerry-bashing e-mails to everyone on the committee, apparently in the belief that no Catholic could possibly support Kerry because of his pro-choice views. (I know SHE can't. But that's her perogative, just as it's mine to support him.)
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Dear <Colleague>: Please take me off your list for the anti-Kerry stuff; unless you don't mind me sharing my views on the current delusional, dishonest and immoral occupant of the White House -- who wears his supposed faith like a cheap suit. (Matthew 6:5-6)

As I said before, there are many substantive discussions to be had about the merits of either candidate. This in my view doesn't qualify.

Peace,
<Richardo>
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Man am I pissed! :grr:

[Nightjock]

1. Nice.

[Iris]

2. How can she overlook the fact that many Catholics have supported

pro-choice candidates over the years?

[cally]

3. Waaay too nice

Maybe appeal to everyone on the list whether they think it's OK to insert politics into the discussion. Then send many articles supporting Kerry. Then suggest a substantive debate but until then please don't send me your propaganda.

Still, I'm glad you responded and your response was strong and respectful.

Cally

[Richardo]

5. I always go the incremental route - we'll see what her response is

...and escalate from there if needed. I like your suggestions, BTW. :thumbsup:

[Bunny]

4. Richardo, as always, you are TOO nice!

I would have let her have it! But you gave a good response anyway!

[Richardo]

8. Hi bunnyj! Bucs are out of the basement!

Woohoo! :hi:

I've got to be diplomatic here. But I'll escalate if necessary.

[calimary]

6. Well, THIS Catholic suppports your efforts to support Kerry.

Born 'n' raised. As pro-choice as it's possible to be. And so is my daughter! So THERE!

Does your colleague know about the separation of church and state - and the way she is very likely endangering her church's tax exempt status???????

If ANYBODY at my church gives me shit about my views, I'm complaining to the diocese, and CC'ing my congressman. If they're gonna do politicking from the pulpit, they're gonna have to pay for the privilege.

[ieoeja]

7. Catholic Politics

Check out http://www.suntimes.com/index/greeley.html every Friday. Father Greeley occasionally speaks up on the specific topic of voting and faith. And when he does he quotes official Roman Catholic doctrine. The Bishops and Cardinals implying Catholics shouldn't vote for Kerry or other pro-choice candidates are speaking their personal opinions which are NOT official doctrine sanctioned by the Vatican. I doubt most Catholics realize that.

Furthermore, more Bishops and Cardinals have actually talked out against Bush for the American-Iraqi War than against Kerry for his position on abortion. The threat of excommunication against a non-Catholic (Bush) would be kind of silly. So the other side gets to make a bigger splash.

[Richardo]

9. Hey thanks, ieoeja!

Great resource, which I'm bookmarking for use as needed. :thumbsup:

Now I will read Greeley AND Ebert on the Sun-Times site ;-)

[Richardo]

12. Alright - look at the lead for Greeley's 7/16/04 column:

Catholics can vote for John Kerry. They don't have to, but it would not be a sin to do so, according to a distinguished theologian...

<snip>

...the cardinal president of the Congregation for the Defense of the Faith, Joseph Ratzinger. <He> says that Catholics are not obliged to vote on one issue, no matter how important that issue might be. They may vote for John Kerry "for other reasons" so long as they are not supporting him merely for his pro-choice stance.

Guess who's getting THIS link? :evilgrin: You are the man, ieoeja!

[Richardo]

14. ...and here's how he closes it out...BOO-YA!

I can think of only one way that bishops might earn a hearing for their teaching. While insisting on their convictions, they should refrain from questioning the integrity and good faith of those who disagree. Then they should become beacons of light on all issues concerning human life, the rights of women, and the rights of the poor and the oppressed.

Thus, while granting, for the sake of the argument, that abortion is a more serious issue than the death penalty or pre-emptive war (or depriving workers of their pensions or health benefits or right to organize unions), bishops might imitate the pope and more vigorously and noisily oppose the Iraq war and suggest that Catholic politicians who insist on the death penalty are not following the teachings of the Church. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin's "consistent ethic of life" theory might help bishops to look less like grand inquisitors fixated on one issue, however important, and more like men of graceful and generous concern for human life and dignity.

YES!! In your FACE, Bush!

Entire column here http://www.suntimes.com/output/greeley/cst-edt-greel16.html

[markus]

10. You are being too nice

This person is spreading lies. You need to correct them to the list until such time as she drops you from the list. Which will do nothing for her credibility with any doubters who remain on her list, if that's her only way to answer you.

But nice, and reasonable, and ruthless.

I've done this for a long time, and get no such emails anymore. The hate-mailers have me pegged.

[wryter2000]

11. Good going!

Worthy of a TOP fan.

[Richardo]

13. thanks wryter - didja see this thread today?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1523157&mesg_id=1523300 ;-)

[lastliberalintexas]

15. What the heck?

I assume then that she is not a fan of Shrub, since his position on the death penalty is contra that of the Church. So who *will* she be voting for?

[Richardo]

16. Oh she's rationalized that. Abortion trumps all.

War, death penalty, eating the poor - none of that matters as much as abortion.

Hard to argue with an intellect like that. That's why I'm glad I know about Andrew Greeley now. ;-)