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JUST SO YOU KNOW: The posts from this site will be from a Roman Catholic and “moderate” Republican stance. Among other things, this means that I unapologetically believe in the Christian Faith, and that it is most fully expressed through Catholicism. Having said that, I have friends and family from all—on no—faith backgrounds. I respect their views as well and it will not be my intent to ridicule or censor either those views or those individuals. I am also not anti-Semitic nor anti-Muslim.
This does not mean I will take no stands on issues. I am a full supporter of the Pro-Life movement. I believe that life begins at conception, and that it takes no religious beliefs whatsoever to understand that. Science does just fine in this case. When a living organism from two separate human beings unites via fertilization and begins to form a 3rd but distinctly separate unit, that entity is then a “life of the human variety” and should be protected as such. I am also not crazed and I do not own a gun. I wept with the world when Dr George Tiller, an extreme abortionist in Kansas, was murdered in his church and in front of his family a few years ago. That misguided zeal was horrific and not at all what being Pro-Life is about to most of us.
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Another but equally important side of being for the “culture of life” is to support and protect those in poverty or who, for other reasons, are in such desperation that abortion seems to be the only way out for them. I do not judge their souls nor will I allow such judgments to be posted on this blog. I do believe in sustaining crisis pregnancy centers and other such alternatives however, and in not being forced to give tax dollars to atrocious organizations such as Planned Parenthood.
I take a fairly conservative stance on LGBT issues as well, not in any way suggesting that I wish to deny such benefits as health care or equal housing for actively gay, lesbian or other sexual minorities, but equally not implying that the definition of marriage somehow must be changed in order to accommodate those who make this as a lifestyle choice—and it is a choice—by giving themselves in a way beyond friendship to a person of the same gender.
In short feeling “gay” or same-sex attraction (SSA) is not at issue here, whether you call it sexual orientation or some other terminology. Actively looking for short or long-term relationships of a sexual nature however is. And those are always based upon a free decision, just as within the heterosexual world.
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Lastly, I am not a member of any “Far Right” or “Far Left” coalitions so please do not pigeon-hole me as such. I have spent many years of my life as a Democrat and only recently have begun to identify as a Republican. I do not think that the answer to the culture wars we face lies in either party, however. Primarily it consists of changes made inside individual hearts.
For the record I also do not doubt that our current President Barack Obama was legitimately and legally elected and I respect both him and the office he holds. He has, arguably, one of the most difficult and crucial positions in world leadership. I pray daily for him, his Cabinet, our nation’s Congress, the Supreme Court, all other federal and local judges, as well as state and city officials and world leaders from other nations. However I greatly look forward to the time when we as a people remove him from leadership, which thankfully is our right to do. My ideological differences are far too great to support the direction he is taking our nation. But to insult him or his position as President is off-limits here.
Economics by the way is only a symptom of deeper issues, such as studying and following the original intent of the Founding Fathers, and forming stronger state and local governments rather than depending on Federal everything. On that point I believe our Tea Party friends have done us a great and huge service and are keeping the rest of the GOP accountable to follow our own platform, and most importantly , the Constitution of the United States. On some other points however I am to the left of them. So please do not suggest or imply that I am secretly or otherwise a Tea Partyer, or, conversely, an “Occupier.” I am in reality neither.
As I have said before, all comments are welcome but all are moderated, and only approved if I do not feel that they detract from the original post. If they veer us off the topic, use more than mild profanity or the name of our Lord in vain, or become argumentative and/or insulting, they will not be posted so save your energy. If on the other hand they are part of a lively but respectful discussion, all views are invited. We can and should learn from those we may disagree with.
The disclaimer is ended. Go in peace. Thanks be to God.
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