1. As much as the pro-Abortion lobby would like you to believe it, abortion is not a political issue. It is a moral issue. The redefining of abortion as a political issue was a calculated maneuver because they knew they could not win on the moral front.
2. Saying religion is a "private matter" is nothing more than the method by which the secularists among us attempt to silence Christian voices. The "private matter" argument carries no weight when held under the light of the first amendment.
3. This is not a case of the Church trying to influence politics. The Church, (or any church, for that matter) is free to define its doctrine and requirements for participation. What we actually have here is a politician (and others) who are trying to change the Church - not the other way around.
There are more. Ms. O'Connell can be reached via email at patricia_o'connell@businessweek.com
Unless those voices are raised in favor of leftist-approved causes like welfare or opposition to the death penalty.
"The lines between politics, religion, and personal freedom just got a little blurrier."
Actually, the Bishop's announcement made the line much clearer. The left continues to argue that abortion is just a political issue, refusing to acknowledge that there is any remote possibility that it an issue that invloves the preservation of life, which makes it a moral question, which makes it a religious issue.
If such a line exists at all, it does not run through a church. The Catholic Church, as is any church, is free to conduct its business as it sees fit, so long as the rights of others are respected. What part of "free exercise" does the author not understand?
My tag line says what kerry is in regards to church vs state.
It may be that they have gotten so used to relying on the Ted Kennedy and John Kerry types to tow the liberal line and distort Catholic teachings that they just asssumed they had a right to authority over Catholic sacramental matters
as well. Talk about statist totalitarianism out of control! Where do they think they are, China? The Soviet Union? Albania?
And then it should be obvious. Using aborted embryonic cells for medical research is BIG BUSINESS. The pharmaceutical industry and the gnostic Biotech firms would love to be able to charge through the roof for "therapies" using cells from the corpses of aborted human babies. Disgusting!
Excellent analysis. That "political issue" thing comes right out of the weekly fax of Dem Talking Points.
In the same issue, the article on stem cells was just as tone-deaf morally and logically. This is one mag that won't get my dime.
Thanks for posting this. It's good to be aware that some liberals are trying to hijack the Catholic Church.
Absolutely right! That's why, when someone posted a satirical piece yesterday saying that Kerry wanted to start his own pro-abort Catholic Church, numerous people took it seriously. In this modern (or post-modern?) age, satire becomes more and more impossible -- because it's so hard to stay ahead of what's really happening!