Posted on 09/19/2006 3:44:22 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Democratic Sen. John Kerry on Monday urged people of faith to work cooperatively on problems such as poverty, global warming and reducing the number of abortions - "godly tasks" that transcend the nation's culture wars.
In a speech laced with anecdotes of his own journey of faith, Kerry, a Roman Catholic, told students in a speech at Pepperdine University that "we can take up God's work as our own.
"Shame on us if we use our faith to divide and alienate people from one another, or if we draft God into partisan service," Kerry said. "As God gives us the ability to see, let us take up the tasks associated with loving our neighbors as ourselves."
Even with the nation riven over reproductive rights, Kerry said a shared goal should be reducing the high number of abortions. The first step, he said, it to accept the responsibility of making abortion rare.
"Even as a supporter of Roe v. Wade, I am compelled to acknowledge that the language both sides use on this subject can be unfortunately misleading and unconstructive. . . . Everyone is worse off for it," the Massachusetts senator said.
The 2004 Democratic nominee is a potential candidate for the party nod in the next presidential election.
Kerry's remarks were among his most extensive ever on religion. He alluded to the 2004 election, saying his past reticence to openly discuss his faith allowed others to "draw the caricature for me. I will never let that happen again."
In the election, a national debate over religion and politics was touched off after St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke said he would deny the Eucharist to Kerry, who supports abortion rights.
Anti-abortion advocates pressured more bishops to follow Burke's lead. Kerry supporters accused Catholic leaders of trying to help re-elect President Bush, a Methodist whose position on abortion is more in line with Catholic teaching.
Exit polls in 2004 showed Kerry losing Protestants by a wide margin; Bush won the backing of six in 10. Among Catholics, Bush also prevailed although narrowly, 52 percent to 47 percent.
Kerry said although he was raised Catholic, it wasn't until years after the Vietnam War that he came to a deeper understanding about his faith.
"For 12 years I wandered in the wilderness, went through a divorce and struggled with questions about my direction. Then suddenly and movingly, I had a revelation about the connection between the work I was doing as a public servant and my formative teachings. Indeed, the scriptures provided a firmer guide about values applied to life," he said.
"Even as a supporter of Roe v. Wade, I am compelled to acknowledge that the language both sides use on this subject can be unfortunately misleading and unconstructive. . . . Everyone is worse off for it," the Massachusetts senator said.
It's no problem to rip a child from it's mother's womb..just don't say it that way.
F'n Kerry can try to 'hide' behind God as much as he likes but we still see the baby-killer he is!
Don't forget, he has a special ministry to rich women.
"For 12 years I wandered in the wilderness"
"I had a dream where God wanted me to marry a rich woman and run for POTUS"
Yeah, but the Kennedys were (are) the pioneers!
L O L !!!
Which scriptures would they be John? Tell us. Quote them. Share them with us. This charlatan hasn't touched a Bible since he moved the Gideon out of the way to use the side table in a hotel suite.
Truer words were never spoken, Peach. I saw him recently on CNN and had to change the channel. I can't even stand to hear him speak--it's even worse, for me, than listening to Bill Clinton. And probably Hillary, too. :)
Though I don't think I could put this to the test, LOL. Not without some kind of IV anti-heartburn drip. :)
It would be hard to find a bigger hypocrite than John Kerry.
Does Al Gore come to mind?
Kerry's returns from 1995 and earlier, before his marriage to Heinz, have sometimes attracted criticism over the issue of charitable giving. In 1995, according to published reports, Kerry reported a taxable income of $126,179, and charitable contributions of $0. In 1994, he reported income of $127,884, and charitable donations of $2,039. In 1993, he reported income of $130,345, and contributions of $175. In 1992, he reported income of $127,646, and contributions of $820. In 1991, he reported income of $113,857, and contributions of $0.
Apparently, God wants everyone to marry exceedingly rich widows and speak fluid French (and limp English)?
Daschle, Liberman have already done "The Walk". Dean's an idiot. I expect him to be replaced by Bubba.....very shortly."
Not enough money in DNC fundraising for BullyJeff. Besides Bj pushing up daisys would bring a 4 pt sympathy boost for the Beast.
I say look for der Schlikemeister to do the real Ft Marcy near election day.
Does "Honor my purple hearts" come before or after "Thou shalt not commit global warming?"
Too funny, but right.
Like "Its easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needl than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?" Funny how he only seems to be attracted to those making 6 figures and more. Must be those "Godly Values".....and other sh!t he's full of!
Link to AP version of article in Forbes, in case you want something more "mainstream" than NewsMax:
http://www.forbes.com/business/manufacturing/feeds/ap/2006/09/18/ap3025926.html
"Which scriptures would they be John?"
The gospel according to St. Jean Francois l'Kerree, the Gigolo:
Do unto others, and then RUN like he!!
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