There's nothing wrong with the Catholic Church - or other churches - addressing the issue of abortion. As you know, this country has a rich and welcomed history of turning to churches and houses of worship during the debate of the great moral issues of the day. Let's not forget the calls to action - to end slavery - and the powerful voices raised during the civil rights movement.
Consider the call to action from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at
That's exactly what the Catholic Church did with its strong support of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortion in health care. The Catholic Church should be congratulated, not criticized, for standing-up for the life of the unborn. We heard from nearly 170,000 Americans - including many Catholics to be sure - who wanted a guarantee that the House health bill would prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions.
Barry, would you have criticized the Catholic Church if it had OPPOSED the Stupak/Pitts Amendment and it failed to clear the House?
Let the church speak out. Don't stifle free speech. Religious leaders not only have a constitutional right to address the moral issues of the day - many believe they have a responsibility to do so. And, if church members don't agree with the position of the church, they can take it up with church leadership. That's always the way it's worked.
Quite frankly, the church needs the ability to speak out more clearly - more forcefully - especially in the political realm. The IRS restrictions on churches and non-profit organizations in the context of political campaigns need to go. The fact is the law barring tax-exempt groups - including churches - from participating in political activity or face the loss of tax-exempt status has politically-motivated origins.
In 1954, then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson sought political retribution against an opponent who was assisted in his campaign by two non-profit organizations. LBJ pushed a little-known amendment that became law that essentially appointed the IRS as the 'speech police' for churches and non-profits. It's an issue we've debated here before and one that I'm sure we will revisit.
I am not surprised that you will be working to strip the pro-life language from the Senate bill. You might not be surprised to learn that we will engage this issue, too, and work just as diligently to ensure that the pro-life remains in place.
With the Senate Majority Leader trying to fast-track health care with a promise to bring his package to the Senate floor next week, lawmakers are staking out their positions. Sen. Ben Nelson of
And, Congressman Bart Stupak, co-author of the House-passed pro-life Amendment, is working with colleagues in the Senate to keep the language in place.
Barry, you want more regulation - this time aimed at lobbying done by religious organizations. I want more free speech. Let the churches and their leaders engage the moral issues in both the legislative and political arenas.
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NO!!!!
Abortion as a birth control technique.
NO!!!!
To encouraging sexual promiscuity that can be supported with abortion as a means of contraception.
NO!!!!
For this socialism driven by the shills of the Democrat party to implement their desires to sexualize our youth down to pre-school.
YES, YES and YES to the party of NO!!!!
Like a good mother or father, the power of "NO" is one of loving and caring.
People are people. That is it. As for others who wish to confuse that, that would be a lie. For you did not come from a t.v. set or a radio station. You came from a sperm and an egg merging into one, and becoming you.
Cara Floyd
Mere Christian,
For what purpose exactly do shills of the Democrat party want to implement their desires to sexualize our youth down to pre-school. Are they taking orders from Satan perhaps? Are you sure you're not confusing these people with Catholic priests and bishops?
LindaJoy
November 14, 2009 9:39 AM
Tell you what, N. Lindholm- when churches stop taking government tax deductions and faith based grants in order to survive, then they have all the free speech they want.
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Soooo, you would also say that those on welfare can have all the free speech they want when they get off welfare. Ok. We understand now.
DSJulian
November 14, 2009 4:30 PM
When are you going to acknowledge that God aborts (miscarries)...
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I acknowledge that He doesn't.
DSJulian
November 14, 2009 4:30 PM
And when are you going to realize that you are a shill for the GOP Republican Party of NO?
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Don't have-ta realize what is untrue.
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