Catholicism and Politics

I am just curious, being a lapsed Catholic myself, are most of the Catholics in this area Republicans or Democrats? I went to school with a lot of Boston-area Catholics and they are all pretty die-hard liberals. Most of my Catholic friends around here seem to be Republicans. But I am getting the sense that there are a lot of Catholics on LIF that are also very liberal Democrats.

I never really understood how you can be supportive of the Catholic church and also be a Democrat since a lot of it seems contradictory - Gay rights, being Pro-Choice, and women's equality to name a few. It just surprises me that so many people, especially socially liberal people, still seem to be devout Catholics. Does anyone leave the church for these reasons? It's always something that has kind of baffled me. Just wondering if anyone could give some insight. I would love to hear different perspectives.

Catholicism and Politics

Was raised Catholic but have long been lapsed - definitely in part due to the church's position on the social issues you mentioned

Catholicism and Politics

This may be a little off topic from what you were asking for, but I tend to lean Democrat and I wound up leaving Catholicism. My family now attends an amazing nondenominational church, and we go every Sunday, which is something I never did being brought up Catholic (DH did, but is much more left leaning than I am).

Part of it was the belief system that went against our belief system. We were married in a Catholic church, and in some of the brochures we received regarding family planning, birth control and hysterectomies were considered sins (the priest that married us was also recently arrested on sexual assault against a child). We had to sit through my cousin's baptism years ago listening to the priest talk about how none of us have church values, but American values (it's a baptism. Can we talk about something a little more positive please? Like the future of the church?). I had to jump through hoops to get my son baptized because my brother wasn't married in a Catholic church and couldn't be godfather. DH and I would go sporadically because it was tradition, not because we were inspired or followed the beliefs. All of the above were just examples of how it just didn't feel right to us being Catholic and having a much different, or more liberal, system of beliefs.

So one day, I was done. I had heard about this nondenominational church in our area, and checked it out. I have more of a connection to my faith than I ever did before. This church is accepting of EVERYONE. It's a much better message than, "Do XYZ or you're going to Hell." DS also loves going.

So I don't know if that answers your question, but that's my story. I don't miss Catholicism at all. MIL is the only one that has a problem with it (she's a devout, devout Catholic), but that's her issue, not mine. And she tends to be fairly liberal, which I think is interesting.

Message edited 11/11/2016 6:10:22 PM.

Re: Catholicism and Politics

I am a practicing Catholic and consider myself a moderate. I don't identify strongly with either the Republican or Democratic party.

I think I can back the Democratic party on issues such as abortion and gay rights because I believe very strongly in separation of church and state.

For example, I believe in gay marriage. Love is love. However, the Catholic Church has the absolute right to say we don't believe in it. The state does not.

I can choose to be a practicing Catholic and say I believe in my church however, just because I do doesn't mean everyone else in the world has to.

Catholicism and Politics

I have wondered the same thing so many times. I went to college in MA and my roommate was a well-off Boston-area Catholic who went to church every week - and whose dad was a prominent democrat in the Boston area. I have never been able to fully reconcile it, because some of the issues are SO black and white in the catholic faith.

I hate to say it, but I've seen an awful lot of hypocrisy (up here at least - I still live in MA). People want to be seen one way politically but aren't quite so open minded when it comes to their own family / neighborhood.

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Message edited 11/11/2016 2:42:17 PM.

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Re: Catholicism and Politics

Re: Catholicism and Politics

I left the church for the reasons stated in the OP. Along with the hiding of pedophiles and the fact that the church itself is just a business and has nothing to do with my actual faith.

I'm a registered independent, but lean left on social issues. But now, as an adult and small business owner, I am pulled right on economic issues.

Re: Catholicism and Politics

I'm a practicing RC & can swing both ways in regards to political parties. I went to Catholic school but never ever has a teacher or priest mentioned to us (classmates/parishioners) that being gay was wrong & never mentioned abortion or birth control. Maybe different parishes focus on different things but the one I was a part in did not mention these things. They focused on preaching helping others & being kind, not judging others, following the Commandments. I believe in gay rights & even though I would hope I'd never need an abortion, I do not think it's anyone's right to take that option away from another woman. A woman's body is hers.

Catholicism and Politics

We are practicing Catholics. My 2 oldest attend Catholic school, all of my children will attend Catholic schools through the 12th grade, and we attend mass every Sunday. I am a moderate Republican. I am pro choice, and believe in equal rights for all humans- I was very much in support of the legalization of gay marriage.
We have tried other denominations of Christianity, but we never feel at "home". DH & I also attended Catholic schools growing up, and attended mass weekly.
I do not agree with the churches stance on certain things, but I very much believe in my faith. As a PP said, growing up I was NEVER told that gays were bad people, abortion was wrong, none of that. What we were always taught is that we are ALL children of God. We are all imperfect, but we are all loved by Him. This is what I am teaching my children as well.
FWIW, the pastor at our church is VERY open minded. He has even talked about gay marriage in his homily. I love my parish- I do not feel it is close minded. But, of course, every parish is different.

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Catholicism and Politics

I'm a practicing Roman Catholic and attended Catholic schools though 12th grade. We were never thought to hate or believe that gay marriage or a woman's choice was bad. The church may not agree with it but they will never exclude you from the church. Not in my parishes anyway. We were always taught to love and respect all, regardless of religion, politics, sexual orientation... in fact I clearly remember debates in schools during election years. We openly spoke about women's rights and the death penalty and how we felt when it came to politics. We were taught not to judge one another based on someone else's opinion or belief. i think these protesters could have actually learned a thing or two. I also remember a homily on one mothers day and the priest was praying for all women who are mothers and those who aren't whether they miscarried, had an abortion, couldn't have children or maybe because they just never wanted children.

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Re: Catholicism and Politics

I'm so glad to see this discussed as it's been on my mind as well, including your observation about the differences between New England Catholics and NY Catholics.

I'm in my early thirties (raised Catholic/went to Catholic school briefly, now am an atheist) and I remember in my childhood and teen years that the death penalty was a big social issue. With Nebraska and California reinstating capital punishment in referenda this year, are Catholics rebuking this?

I also remember bits of Gospel and priests' discussions of Christ's own charity and decrying of wealth and stature, as well as the work of the Missionaries of Charity/Mother Teresa. Is social justice still a major aim in Catholicism?

Re: Catholicism and Politics

I was Catholic, now attend a non denominational Christian church and I am fairly religious, in that it plays a part in my everyday life, throughout the day.

I am extremely liberal, both as a Catholic, but moreso as a Christian out from under the Catholic church.

But to answer your question, I believe in God and Jesus and his teachings, which is to accept everyone for who they are, help those in need, do not judge someone on the circumstances or their life choices. My belief is that it is my job to love thy brother and I am not to judge, that is His job. I also believe that all humans are flawed and that my God understands that, in fact expects it, and is forgiving no matter what.

Message edited 11/12/2016 12:30:58 AM.

Re: Catholicism and Politics

Re: Catholicism and Politics

practicing Catholic here and am registered independent. neither party represents my views on all things. I have voted both democratic and republican in different elections depending upon the issue. the church itself it were a party would definitely be more on the left because of its social justice agenda: justice for the poor, welcoming the refugee, etc. the pro life stance puts it way to the right. I often feel stuck in the middle everytime there is an election.

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Message edited 11/12/2016 8:41:33 PM.

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I'm from Baltimore. The area was like Boston in that Catholics were always die hard liberals. I do not agree with everything the church stands for, but I do believe in their ministry of social justice. I am disgusted by the letter from the Rockville Archidocese. Like considering not having my son pursue religious education disgusted, but the more I talk to my parents who are still in Baltimore I learn that this is regional and not church wide.

Message edited 11/13/2016 12:37:08 PM.

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Additionally, I believe it separation of Chuch and State, so my views, although very liberal, as a Christian, should not impact the rights of those who do not believe the same as I.

Catholicism and Politics

Myself, mother, sister and even my aunt who is a mother general for one of the largest orders of nuns in the Catholic Church are all dems. And all believe that religion has no place in policies.

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Message edited 11/13/2016 1:24:21 PM.

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I'm Catholic and a Democrat. I would not say I am the most devout. Was not a regular church-goer in my adult life, but I did go to church growing up (and I went to Catholic elementary school through grade 8).

I am "practicing" more now in that I belong to a parish and attend a church because my son is in religious education and making his communion.

I have always been a Democrat. But I guess I think of it like this - I do feel like it's important to have faith, and I agree with the broad tenets of Catholicism, but I am a "cafeteria Catholic" for sure. I believe in charity and kindness and tolerance, and that's what I think Jesus was about. But I am socially liberal/progressive on a lot of issues that the Church doctrine (the man-made rules) have a different stance on.

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My main answer is that people are so much more complex than the labels that we assign ourselves.

I am liberal and Catholic. I attended Catholic school my entire life, and the ideals of love and acceptance are the ones that were taught to me. I am most comfortable practicing my faith in a Catholic church if and when I do choose to practice it in a public sphere--which is not often.

I do not currently attend church. The clergy at the church that I was attending suddenly turned rather anti-gay in their sermons, so I will not go there for regular mass; I also have a rather difficult time going to church since my mother passed away--I do not know why.

If DH and I have children, we will take them to church...I don't know about every week...maybe once a month. I feel that my church-going upbringing was important in teaching me the foundations. I have taken what I want and left behind the rest; I know that I can seek the comfort of a church if I want to practice my faith in public. For me, as an adult, however, I feel that I can practice my faith privately.

I also feel, through researching multiple political parties and religions, that no one group is going to ever fully agree with all of my beliefs, so I do the best that I can.

Message edited 11/13/2016 2:07:46 PM.