Reply #3: You should vote your conscience, and respect those that do [View All]

[IndianaGreen]

For example, I wouldn't expect someone that believed that abortion was the taking of human life to vote for a candidate that was not pro-life. As a matter of fact, many people that would agree with Democrats on economic issues vote Republican solely on account of the abortion issue.

I don't expect people that opposed unjust wars, as Iraq was declared to be by many religious leaders including the Pope, to vote for candidates that supported the war.

Likewise people that oppose the School of the Americas or nuclear weapons cannot be expected to vote against their conscience.

One cannot expect people with core values based on faith and/or ethics to violate them.

I won't discuss situational ethics on this thread.

I had the privilege and the honor to march alongside members of Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace movement. I have donated money to Pax Christi in the past for their efforts in defending human rights and peace. Pax Christi position on the war in Iraq was issued as a press release:

Pax Christi USA Statement on Commencement of War in Iraq

Statement on Commencement of War with Iraq - March 21, 2003

Pax Christi USA mourns the failure of U.S. policy and unequivocally condemns the illegal and immoral war on Iraq. No nation, regardless of its power or privilege, has the right to disregard the United Nations’ charter. The policy of “preemptive war” has been condemned by the Vatican, rejected by the United Nations Security Council and opposed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Pax Christi USA rejects war, preparations for war, and every form of violence and domination.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Iraq as they endure the violence, chaos and uncertainty of war. We are inspired by the commitment of our bothers and sisters on the Iraq Peace Team who have remained with the people of Iraq to share in their suffering and we pray for their safety and serenity as war unfolds around them.

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Here at home, Pax Christi USA condemns the ongoing racial and ethnic profiling and violations of civil liberties of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals living in the U.S. which are today facing interrogation and ongoing confinement by federal law enforcement offices.

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True peace is the fruit of just relationships and is never achieved though violence. True security will come only when our nation is able to fulfill its role as the most powerful nation on earth with humility, compassion, reciprocity and solidarity with the community of nations. As disciples of the Nonviolent Christ, we recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and development of lasting peace.

http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_statements_more.asp?id=502