So Can Catholics Even Talk about Supporting Obama? What does it mean not to use faith as a wedge, but instead to illuminate and unify? Professor Doug Kmiec responds.
Advertisement
LOS ANGELES (Catholic Online) - Recently I wrote a column for Slate in which I expressed some misgivings about prospective Republican nominee John McCain.
Like other conservatives, I have my doubts about the Senator’s conservative political credentials, but I agree with former President Bush, that it is an admirable quality to be both principled and capable of reaching across the aisle to strike an agreement that does not forfeit principle, but in the art of politics, advances the common good.
It was in that spirit that I took up the task of considering the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama and whimsically entitled my essay: “Reaganites for Obama?” The question mark was not just there for effect. It was there to indicate – well, frankly, that I thought Senator Obama’s eloquence and statesmanlike attention to the genuine concerns of the American public at large deserved a closer look.
One of the things that I anticipated would be difficult to navigate as an ethical matter in undertaking such scrutiny was the Church’s well considered and well-known position in favor of the protection of human life from the moment of conception. As a believing Catholic, this is my position. Nevertheless, as I wrote in defense of the closer examination of Senator Obama:
“We are well aware of Senator Obama's morally unacceptable position on abortion. No Catholic can or will endorse the taking of innocent life. Indeed, conscience could not just dissuade, but directly preclude, casting a vote in his column.
However, Catholic moral teaching enjoins us to work to transform the culture in every vineyard, not just those that are friendly. And Senator Obama has courageously and intriguingly opened a window of opportunity for important conversation across faith traditions, by reminding us that 'we should not use faith as a wedge to divide, but instead use faith to resolve cultural tensions and mediate conflicts rather than engage in a politics that exploits them and drives us further from a solution.'”
(emphasis supplied)
The importance of not using faith as a wedge to divide, as stated by Senator Obama, is I believe what is resonating powerfully with thoughtful voters of both parties. What does it mean not to use faith as a wedge, but instead to illuminate and unify?
Compare the following two responses to my suggestion that we examine Senator Obama more closely. The first is typical of the responses I received from what I would call sincere, in the pew, regular parishioners. These are people who generally do not blog, but they do regularly pray, and every day they also nourish by their own witness the good will of their neighbors and the formation of their children:
“Fantastic article in Slate. My wife and I and the kids could not agree more. For several years now, we have been uneasy about the drift of the Republican Party. Despite our disagreement with his pro-abortion position, we find that all of our Catholic sensibilities pull us toward Obama. I, for one, have had it with the fear-mongering, race-baiting and complete indifference to issues of social justice.
We did not support this preventive war and are also not overly fond of waterboarding either. We need a new ethos in this country - one which appeals to our better angels, as it were. An ethos informed by the dictum 'we are our brother's keeper,' to quote Obama the other night in Wisconsin. Thanks again for putting into words what my wife and I have been feeling for a long time.”
By contrast, here is commentary from – well, how shall I put this fairly – the very loud Catholic voices on the web that seem to thrive on the political jugular or ad hominem:
Take for example the commentary of Mr. Deal Hudson:
“Kmiec, known as a pro-life conservative, shocked the pro-life Catholic community with his shilling for Obama.
They shouldn't have been so surprised. Professor Kmiec is just one more law professor hoping for a Supreme Court nomination. Why not get on board the Obama Express early and jump to the front of the line of potential candidates?
Take a look at this statement from Kmiec: "Beyond life issues, an audaciously hope-filled Democrat like Obama is a Catholic natural." Beyond "life issues"? Since when is a Catholic voter supposed to ignore the life issues? That's not the teaching Catholics have received either from the US bishops and the Vatican.
That a Catholic jurist as prominent as Kmiec would be shilling for Obama, and urging Catholic voters to get beyond the life issues, is both sad and outrageous.
It's particularly unfortunate because Doug Kmiec knows better. At this point, it looks like his motivation is the hope for an appointment should Obama get elected. And of course, left-wing Catholic organizations will use Kmiec's words to justify what many Cafeteria Catholic voters have ...
This man truly needs our prayers. His views are extremely demonic...and I do not use this term in a loose way. Satan clouds the mind and makes us come up with the most crazy "dumbing down" views. I cannot see a man with his education being so naive. Please pray for this man's soul....
Comments that include profanity, personal attacks, antisocial behavior such as "spamming" and "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will not be posted on Catholic Online. Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of service. While Catholic Online invites robust discussion, we maintain the right to not print material that is patently false in its claims concerning the teaching of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, overtly anti-Catholic or which, in the opinion of the moderator, are intended to mislead readers as to what the Catholic Church teaches. Comments DO NOT necessarily reflect the opinion or views of Catholic Online.
RSS | Make Catholic Online Your Homepage
