Christian = Conservative?

[Wolf]

Does our faith align itself more closely with right or left politics?

Just wondering.

Edited February 1, 2009 by Wolf

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Wolf' post='1768723' date='Feb 1 2009, 05:46 PM']Does our faith align itself more closely with right or left politics?

Just wondering.[/quote]

I think the Church transcends politics. In my opinion, the left is right on some issues, the right on others. It's not about left or right, it's about what is moral. -Katie

[Wolf]

I understand.

Tried to add a poll to this, but it wouldn't work for some reason.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Wolf' post='1768730' date='Feb 1 2009, 05:50 PM']I understand.

Tried to add a poll to this, but it wouldn't work for some reason.[/quote]

Hmmm I'm not sure how to do that either but I bet someone will come along soon who does! -Katie

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1768726' date='Feb 1 2009, 02:49 PM']I think the Church transcends politics.[/quote]
I agree.

I don't think that people should apply political terms (right / left, conservative / liberal) to the Church.

Edited February 1, 2009 by Apotheoun

[Winchester]

The Church does, but the people who make up the Church do not.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1768726' date='Feb 1 2009, 05:49 PM']I think the Church transcends politics. In my opinion, the left is right on some issues, the right on others. It's not about left or right, it's about what is moral. -Katie[/quote]
Agree. For instance, the GOP is more-or-less in line with the Church on the issue of Abortion, but may be more inline with the Democratic Party on the issues of the death penalty or aid of the poor.
It's my humble opinion that both parties stink, but that's just me.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Wolf' post='1768723' date='Feb 1 2009, 05:46 PM']Does our faith align itself more closely with right or left politics?

Just wondering.[/quote]
Neither, we align ourselves with the Magisterium of the Church.

[Wolf]

Yes, I understand.

It's a sweeping topic - but I do agree that politics shouldn't be at the forefront of our lives.

[CatherineM]

My husband is a Conservative. I'm not. I can't wait to become a citizen so that I can cancel out his votes.

[Lounge Daddy]

Father Sirico of The Acton Institute mentioned in an interview when the question of labels came up that The Church isn't interested in "liberal" or "conservative," but is rather interested in "orthodoxy" or "heterodoxy."

And Father Corapi points out during his talks that "you can fall of the boat port or staboard... left or right. And either way you're going to be in the water with the sharks."

[Galloglasses' Alt]

The Church is not political, however I have been driven into Conservative waters politically, (and socially), because of her Teachings. But I guess thats circumstantial with the country and society I live in.

[Nihil Obstat]

As far as economics go, both the right and left could be considered in line with our faith. Within reason, of course. Within reason though, it's up to personal opinion.
Personally I'm fairly 'classical liberal' free market type.
Social issues are trickier.

[tinytherese]

[quote name='Lounge Daddy' post='1768915' date='Feb 1 2009, 08:16 PM']And Father Corapi points out during his talks that "you can fall of the boat port or staboard... left or right. And either way you're going to be in the water with the sharks."[/quote]

Rock on Fr. Corapi!

[Giolla]

I'm Catholic, I'm the Anti-Obama

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1768752' date='Feb 1 2009, 06:07 PM']I agree.

I don't think that people should apply political terms (right / left, conservative / liberal) to the Church.[/quote]


I don't think that's what the OP meant. I THINK he was asking (at least as I understood it) if Christians have to pick a party that most closely aligns with core Judeo-Christian values, would it be right or left.

The answer, for me, is absolutely the right. But there is no perfect political platform for an earnest Christian.

[Saint Therese]

I think the Church by her nature is conservative. One of her primary duties is to conserve and pass on the teachings of the Apostles.

Malcolm Muggeridge said that he thought liberalism would be more detrimental to society in the long run than either Communism or Nazism.

That being said there have been many Saints who fell on both sides of the spectrum.

Edited February 2, 2009 by Saint Therese

[Socrates]

[quote name='Wolf' post='1768723' date='Feb 1 2009, 05:46 PM']Does our faith align itself more closely with right or left politics?

Just wondering.[/quote]
We should ask instead, which politics align more closely with our Faith.

While the terms "right" and "left" can be somewhat ambiguous, and mean somewhat different things in different times and places, I would have to say that in today's world, the Church's teachings are definitely considered "conservative," and that the Left is incompatible with the Catholic Faith. The modern Left's continuous and near-fanatical promotion of abortion, homosexuality, and other immorality is clearly at odds with Catholic moral teaching.
Also, modern so-called "liberalism" is socialistic in nature, and all forms of socialism, including the liberal "welfare state" have been soundly condemned by the Church, and are contrary with the teaching of subsidiarity.
As Pope Pius XI declared in the encyclical [i]Quadragesimo Anno[/i], "No one can be at the same time sincere Catholic and a true socialist."

When weighing moral issues, one should also take into account the words of our current Holy Father:[quote]Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.[/quote]