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Originally Posted by carson daniel lauffer
I showed the DVD "Demographic Winter" Tues in Theo 101 at the Un. of St. Francis. I gave them the assignment of thanking parents that they met who had 3 or more children. They reported this morning that they met with many surprised reactions followed by many grateful remarks from these parents along with some very interesting conversations.

It's a small thing but has had a positive effect upon my students and apparently upon the families that these students met.

CDL
May God bless you abundantly!

Recluse #311122 01/30/09 10:50 AM
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Sadly, there were some in my Church who voted for Obama and they use the "abortion is not about politics" apology. I believe that this is a justification to protect the conscience. Deep down, the individual knows they are casting a vote for genocide. frown

Paul B #311124 01/30/09 11:04 AM
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'As an example of how crazy our culture has become, the parents of large families today are labeled as "fools" and those that are childless are "wise." But then when they become elderly the childless ones are depressed and lonely.'

Fr. Deacon Paul,

I hope to fight that war on fertility with fruitfulness and multiplication, as suits my vocation.

Recluse #311133 01/30/09 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Recluse
Sadly, there were some in my Church who voted for Obama and they use the "abortion is not about politics" apology. I believe that this is a justification to protect the conscience. Deep down, the individual knows they are casting a vote for genocide. frown

Sadly some will take comfort in the the words of VP Dan Quayle:

"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."


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Even for those who are Pro-Abortion, I have to ask why they're not outraged that Barack Obama supports an 819 billion dollar bailout that passed the House and is now going to the Senate. And if that isn't shocking enough, there's the 1 to 2 TRILLION dollar bailout package that the Obama administration is supposed to finalize in February. All this while the prosperous state of California falls deeper into debt.

It almost seems as if the nation's leaders are sitting on the floor playing Monopoly with paper play money.

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Originally Posted by Deacon John Montalvo
Sadly some will take comfort in the the words of VP Dan Quayle:

"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."
I don't know about taking comfort in Dan Quayle's words, but let us hope that people begin to vote on the only issue that matters.............the lives of the unborn...those who do not have a choice.

Recluse #311144 01/30/09 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Recluse
Sadly, there were some in my Church who voted for Obama and they use the "abortion is not about politics" apology. I believe that this is a justification to protect the conscience. Deep down, the individual knows they are casting a vote for genocide. frown
Recluse,

The fact is that lots of Catholics voted for Obama--not only because Catholics tend to be Democrats, but because they are tired of voting for candidates they really don't like just because they are supposedly pro-life.

The real problem, though, is that people lack strong philosophical reasons for being "pro-life." Most people who lean towards the Pro-Life movement do so for reasons that are more emotional than intellectual. A typical attitude is "I know the human race is heading towards self-destruction due to massive demographic growth; I also know that there are millions of people who can hardly afford their own expenses, let alone put a child through college ... however, I just believe that destroying an innocent human life is wrong." Such an attitude cannot produce a strong commitment in most people.

I'll be interested in viewing this "Demographic Winter" DVD ...


Peace,
Deacon Richard

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Deacon
It seems that you have swallowed the lie about population growth and the materialism mentality that we can't "afford"
to have children who will infringe on "our lifestyle".
I know many families in the area that have 5 children and are doing just well and they are HAPPY unlike some of the self centered families of one child or worse NO CHILDREN

I would suggest that you look into the other view of the subject.
Stephanos I
PS and definitely view demographic winter and you might also purchase the book, "The greying of America".

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Originally Posted by Epiphanius
The fact is that lots of Catholics voted for Obama--not only because Catholics tend to be Democrats, but because they are tired of voting for candidates they really don't like just because they are supposedly pro-life.
Fr Deacon,

What a shame. So they will vote for the pro-death candidate because they like him/her.

Oh woe is me!

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Originally Posted by Epiphanius
The real problem, though, is that people lack strong philosophical reasons for being "pro-life."
I have no idea what this means.

My reasons are theological and moral. I am consumed with compassion for the voiceless and choiceless martyrs in the womb. There is no excuse for electing officials who support genocide.

Recluse #311165 01/30/09 05:56 PM
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I am one of the Catholic who voted for Obama. I stated my reasons for voting for him in an earlier post.

In reading the responses and discussion among the rest of you, I have a couple of observations to make.

-- You are not discussing how to reduce abortions by persuading people to not have them.
-- You are also not addressing the root problems of abortion: which are poverty and selfishness.
-- Instead, you're discussing how you are right, how everyone else is wrong, and how you are very angry.
-- Yet, the only thing that has accomplished is reinforcing and intensifying your anger, to the point of obsession.

With all due respect, I must tell you: your anger and your obsession are not persuasive.

But, you need to persuade me and the millions of people like me if you want to win at the elections.

So: to do that, I respectfully suggest that you step back from your anger and look at this issue dispassionately. To reduce abortions --and to have a realistic chance of making it illegal again one day-- you're going to have show compassion and not just anger. You're going to have to get to the root causes of abortion, poverty and selfishness, by compassion and ascetic prayer. You are going to have be equally committed to the suffering and needs of innocent people who are already born as well as those who are not born.

There is more to life than pregnancy. There is more to being pro-life than being anti-abortion. Unless you embody that better and communicate that better, you're not going to persuade more of the already born to your point of view.

You get more flies with honey than vinegar.

-- John





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Too bad John...my compassion is far reaching. Not only for the unborn but also for those who have a loss of civility towards the base of life, the unborn. I will pray for the Holy Ghost to enter into hearts like yours. Many many of us are involved in ministries for the poor, for the homeless, for the single mothers, for the abused and so much more out there, but we are also the voice of the voiceless. We stand for those who cannot. We fight for the defenseless.

So you see, we can do it all in the name of the Holy Ghost.

And Deacon, I was raised in a family of 12 and we all grew up very happy. Didn't have much money or material things, but we didn't starve either. Big families are beautiful.

Not to mention, there are millions who can't have a baby of their own and would love to adopt one of these who are not wanted. There is a reason for all things in the faith of God.

The Christ tells us that we will be judge by how we treat the "least of these", I ask you, what is more "least" than the unborn? Be careful of what you preach.

Prayer and love.

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Originally Posted by harmon3110
-- You are also not addressing the root problems of abortion: which are poverty and selfishness.

John,
With regard to this quote I disagree...the root problem (cause) of abortion is not poverty and selfishness...it is copulation. biggrin

The Obama administration vehemently rejects teaching abstinence to prevent pregnancy..they laugh at it. Their cure is to feed more money to Planned Parenthood and schools-- beginning at puberty-- and pass them out like candy to your children and mine (in my case grandchildren.) If you have any doubt about the truth of what I say then I suggest that you read the comments in www.change.org [change.org]

President Johnson's "Great Society" set out to eliminate poverty in America -- we still have it. Do you suggest that we adopt the the Soviet Union's Communism...they more or less eliminated poverty ....Oh! I forgot about China and Cuba..they still have poverty.

Even Jesus said, "for the poor you will have always..."(Mk14:7) He also said that we are to help the poor... Is it better to offer them a free abortion with each pregnancy or to respect yourself and control every bodily desire?

Church teaching isn't permitted in school..yet they teach the Gnostic dogmas.

But you are correct in that pro-life argument won't change most people's minds....Our last two Popes have tried very hard but without huge success. Do we have to lie to the American people like the abortionists do (its just a blob of tissue..its your body..). People have to be bribed with prosperity and entitlements to get their vote. Since the Church and most individuals can't do this then America is lost???????
Such a sad legacy....another fallen Roman Empire.

What did you think of the www.priestsforlife.org [priestsforlife.org] video? Isn't the shock of hearing about a procedure where a doctor rips up a defenseless human fetus powerful enough to make people think?

Fr Deacon Paul

Paul B #311211 01/31/09 03:23 AM
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I will pray for the Holy Ghost to enter into hearts like yours.


This is above and beyond the bounds of charity.

John has NEVER said that he does not think that abortion is a sin, or that it is not a great evil, or that it is not unfortunate, nor has he implied that he thinks it is okay.

John has simply been brave enough to try to have a civil and philosophical discussion of this issue visa vis the political and social realm. Some people, infact alot of people, prefer calm and constructive conversation to understand why they should change their opinions on matters such as their vote.

Alice

Alice #311214 01/31/09 04:36 AM
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Thank you, friend.

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