Posted on 08/27/2016 9:36:39 AM PDT by Salvation
Question: The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that it is morally obligatory to exercise the right to vote. But this seems false since for most of history there have been no systems of voting and, even today, there are many who cannot vote. How can the Catechism claim that voting is a moral obligation?— Jenna O’Neil, via email
Answer: The Catechism reads as follows: “Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country” (No. 2240).
The Catechism speaks to a worldwide audience wherein people live under different forms of government. The principles must be adapted to specific situations.
To speak of a moral obligation to “exercise one’s right to vote” presupposes that one has a right to vote. Thus, the Catechism does not and cannot impose an obligation on those who have no right to vote.
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Further, the moral obligations specified in this section of the Catechism, while generally binding, are not absolute. For example, the general obligation to participate in the defense of one’s country might be overruled or ameliorated if the engaged war is an unjust one. We should generally observe the civil laws, but not when they are unjust or contrary to God’s law; if, due to social unrest and threats of violence, one cannot reasonably vote without grave risk, they are morally excused, etc. Thus, not every moral obligation is absolute.
Monsignor Pope Ping for OSV column.
I believe that I have an obligation and responsibility to vote.
So do I.
I also believe that voting for someone who is VERY pro abortion like Hillary Clinton is committing a grave sin!
Especially when one’s government has become evil, and a vote for one candidate has the potential to actually do something to remove that evil. See:
Psalm 97:10-12
Proverbs 8:13
Amos 5:15
Anyone who feels “obliged” to vote, shouldn’t.
The only reason to vote is because you actually know what you are voting for.
The way I look at it when one has a "right" to do something, one also has a right not to do it.
I’m not paying my taxes. Screw that.
But if we don’t vote, then we’ll be truly coming to our priests asking about our decisions to pick up guns and kill other men.
Voting is a great way to save lives.
You have zero responsibility to vote, especially in a situation where the civil authorities are using the pretext of a ballot to excuse and perpetuate evil. For example, using the excuse that “the voters are supportive of abortion so we’ll make it legal.” Unfortunately that is more often the case than not. Using the legitimacy conferred by the ballot to excuse and perpetuate evil.
I’ll go further and note that voting is at best the better choice amongst immoral and evil choices. This year I would argue it’s the least bad choice. But that’s not the norm. Pretty rare in truth.
IF you vote and your candidate WINS, accept you share of the resposibility.
IF you vote and your candidate LOSES, excercise your RIGHT to complain and bitch whenever you desire.
IF your NOBLY DO NOT vote, then shut the hell up, I don’t want to hear it.
I intend to speak out regardless. The generally useless franchise is about the least useful weapon in our quiver.
What you say is true, assuming several things:
- that the election is free and fair (a dicey proposition these days).
~ that there is a discernible difference between the candidates (very rare).
~ that the election of ‘x’ candidate will make a difference in how the civil authorities operate (possible but not very likely)
Bump that without the bad words.
Sorry about that. Problem is that “THOSE” words, and a whole bunch more, are, today, commonly heard at elementary school recess time.
At the Middle School level, today they learn the words I discovered when I joined the Navy.
We’ve some a “long way”.
Very good, short and sweet.
Let me add when the vote makes no difference and supports and Evil government it is Our Duty to Withdraw Our Consent and Fight against that Beast..
Anyone supporting America now is Not serving God as their Master for any Nation that can find it lawful to KILL the Most Innocent cannot be a nation whom serves God PERIOD
Also on this:
“engaged war is an unjust one”
When was the last time there was any real discussion of a Just War??? This has not been the case for over 50 years at best.
God Bless
If you are not an informed voter, then don’t vote.
If you let emotion over-ride logic, don’t vote.
In other words, if you are a demonRAT, don’t vote.
Now, if we could just convince Catholics to vote conservative, moral values then we’d be all set.
I am aware of that. But I think we can all practice a certain amount of self-control.
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