Catholic voters

The Washington Times ^ | 9/29/04 | Greg Pierce

[Pfesser]

President Bush holds a commanding lead among Catholic voters, according to the latest survey of the California-based Barna Research Group.

Barna called this finding a "seismic shift," United Press International reports. In May, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, who is Catholic, led Mr. Bush, a Methodist, by 48 percent to 43 percent among Catholics. Today, the ratio has changed to 53 percent to 36 percent in Mr. Bush's favor, reports Barna, which specializes in religious polling.

"Many of the Catholics now behind Mr. Bush have traditionally voted Democratic, but have chosen a different course this time around," pollster George Barna said.

Catholics make up almost one-quarter — 23 percent — of U.S. voters.

On the flip side, "notional Christians" — those who have not made a personal commitment to Christ — are more likely to support Mr. Kerry. Of this group, consisting chiefly of mainline Protestants, 49 percent told Barna's researchers that they would choose Mr. Kerry, and 37 percent preferred Mr. Bush.

Atheists and agnostics side with the Massachusetts senator 2-to-1. Notional Christians make up 38 percent of the U.S. electorate; atheists and agnostics make up an estimated 5 percent.

[Pfesser]

Don't forget, however, that American Muslims prefer Kerry by 76 %.

[Rutles4Ever]

History will show that Kerry's backstabbing of the Catholic church was his downfall...

[dangus]

But let's not forget it was also his rise. Archdemon Teddy found himself a minion, and put him where he is.

[Barb4Bush]

"Senator John Kerry, who is Catholic".

John Kerry is not Catholic. He may have been baptized Catholic but he no longer follows the Church's teachings.

[Meldrim]

My guess is that as the "Notional Christians" raise families the ranks of agnostics and atheists will rise.

[wideawake]

Mr. Barna may not be using the same criteria to define Catholic as other pollsters.

Most pollsters will ask "are you Catholic?" and someone will respond "Yes", even if they support abortion, are divorced, haven't been to Mass since their cousin Joey got married in '98 and haven't seen the inside of a confessional in 20 years.

Mr. Barna may be surveying people who have attended Mass in the past year or some other criterion.

[tomnbeverly]

American Catholics should petition the Bishops and have the Pope Censure John Kerry. His position on Gay Marriage and Abortion are against all the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our young Catholics could receive the wrong message if this man was elected. How can this man still claim to be a practicing Catholic? He should have ran for President as an atheist. True Catholics knew and respected John Kennedy because his faith ran deep well Senator Kerry you are NO JFK.

[TheGeezer]

"Senator John Kerry, who is Catholic".

Barb4Bush comment:

John Kerry is not Catholic. He may have been baptized Catholic but he no longer follows the Church's teachings.

Amen, sister!

Please see A Catholic Voters Guide at Catholic Answers.com.

It may be that the majority of Catholics, or perhaps at least the ones faithful to the apostolic magisterium of the Church, have awakened to the fact that the Democrat Party is the party of the culture of death (abortion).

Frances Kessling (spelling?) of the so-called Catholics for Choice is trying to obtain a court order to suppress distribution of the Cathlolic Voter Guide, claiming it violates McCain-Feingold (let's get rid of that piece of fecal material as soon as possible after the election!!!). The Voter Guide does not endorse any candidate or party. It simply reviews Catholic moral teachings.

[badpacifist]

Catholics are getting better at filtering the liberalism that is coming out of the mouths of some priests. This year I have wondered to myself if the tax exempt status should be taken away from all the religious institutions in America. This is the Church who from its great history of saints and tradition that always taught me to confront evil, not to ignore it and hope it would go away. Yet today sadly I must admit that many of the "men in black" who have been my heros for their devotion to Christ may have sold us out. Even if you are not Catholic please pray for the Catholics on election day.

[mike182d]

pfesser, you couldn't be more true.

If you read the USCCB's document listing "political activity guidelines" for Catholic churches and institutions, there is no mention of the Gospel or even a hint of theology. Its how Catholic organizations should act...according to IRS tax code 501(c)3. The Church has been muzzled by the government with the promise of not paying taxes...

[mike182d]

Please see A Catholic Voters Guide at Catholic Answers.com.

This voter's guide IS the true, but just be warned: the Bishops are fighting against this publication. It is in contradiction with their "Faithful Citizenship" and other teachings, which disagrees with the idea of "non-negotiables." I thought the Pope just apologize several years ago for Catholics not standing up against Hitler...I guess history repeats itself.

[sr4402]

Don't forget, however, that American Muslims prefer Kerry by 76 %

10 of 10 Terrorist agree: Kerry

[Aquinasfan]

Today, the ratio has changed to 53 percent to 36 percent in Mr. Bush's favor

Better, but not good enough.

I had my "Vote Catholic/Not Kerry" bumper sticker torn off my car last week. I ordered a couple more and a yard sign today 8-)

This probably has a lot to do with some bishops finally speaking out against abortion-supporting CINOs, and the hard work of Catholic Answers in distributing their Voters Guide for Serious Catholics.

[wrathof59]

I'm active in the Catholic Parish in NW Indiana, almost all the persons I have contact with are eager to vote for President Bush this November. Active Catholics are overwhelmingly conservative and pro-military, pro-family and anti-abortion.

It's the cradle Catholics who have currently lapsed in their faith, yet still call themselves "Catholic", that are liberal.
There is a wide divide between the two IMHO.

[KB4W]

Our pastor advised us to pick up our Catholic Voters Guide after mass on Sunday, which he said was under "lock and key" because the day before, all the voters guides "mysteriously" disapeared from our church and a few other area churches. Now I wonder who would want Catholics not to see the voter's guide...

[badpacifist]

I had my "Vote Catholic/Not Kerry" bumper sticker torn off my car last week.

My parish is all about "peace and justice" so I simplified it for them with a personalized one from makestickers.com.

Bush-not a girlieman