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U.S. Bishops Demand Universal Healthcare Without Abortion

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An honest reading of Catholic Social Teaching will reflect many of the values found in Socialism (or is it the other way around?). One notable exception is on the pro choice/ right to life debate.
Socialism to me has come to mean an idealogy of equality, where all people have the right to life. The Socialist cause is big on highlighting abuses and oppression of people all over the world. By natural extension of this concern for life, I would think that Socialism would embrace protection of unborn lives as well.
Without that protection, the Socialist philosophy rings hollow.
What the Socialists need to do is adopt this plank of respect for life from the the conservatives, thus uniting a huge segment of the population who are concerned with a clean, logical reading of socially just values. The party would then have an opportunity to grow and recruitment of members would be much easier.

George Damasevitz of NY 2:30PM September 30, 2009

Abortion is not health care. It is a slaughter of 3200 unborn babies a DAY, 96,000 a MONTH, 1.2 Million a year, and more than 45 Million in 36 years in America.
This is a slaughter of the least of our people (poorest, weakest, most dependant, and least of our people).
Say NO to the free slaughter without a chance to respect and protect the lives of both the mother and the child.
Respect Life.
Protect Life.
Protect Love.
Love Life.

ComPassion of IN 2:44PM August 30, 2009

We need to address the holocaust of the abortion slaughter first.
In a parallel effort and a "common ground" approach we support Sex Education.
Sex Education is important and most people completely support it. Sex Education should include love, how lust is not love, abstinence, responsibile choices to protect life, sona gram video of unborn babies, unique DNA at conception, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STDs that cause failures to have children later, how condiums don't protect against STDs, sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relationships, reproductive responsibilities, values, healthy relationships, and contraception.
Talking about sex education and contraception prior to addressing the abortion slaughter is working on lower priorities first. Sex education and contraception alone will not solve the abortion holocaust. It's like wanting to discuss proper diet to a person that is currently having a heart attack. We need to solve the heart attack (the slaughter from abortion). Proper diet may help but it is too little too late for a person having a Heart Attack. We encourage a "common ground" approach of true sex education. Sex Education must come as a second priority to abortion.
Why don't we call it Love Education? Sex is something that any animal can do. Sex can be lowered to only lust. Humans are much more capable of the complexities of Love. Humans are not limited to shallow lust.
We Love Education.
Seek the Truth. Speak the Truth. Share the Truth.
Love Education.
Life is Love.
Love Life.

ComPassion of IN 2:39PM August 30, 2009

Or just willfully ignoring the thoughts of others?
I'll be straight with you - I am a materialist atheist. I am pro-choice and a humanist. However, I am smart and compassionate enough to realize that the number of cells in the fetus is completely irrelevant to the Catholic position against birth control. It does not take a genius to understand that Catholic's believe that those 120 cells are associated with a SOUL, and since this soul is the definitive distinction between human and non-human, terminating that lump of cells is equivalent to murder.
By all means, disagree with the Catholics. But do so in a way which is at least a little intelligent. Point out that there is no evidence for a soul, at any time in the life of a human, or meet Catholicism rationally from some other perspective. But don't just run your mouth off like you are saying things that make any kind of sense. You damage the cause of secular humanism everywhere when you do that.
Not only that, but a failure to appreciate and understand the points of view of people who disagree with you is the most elemental kind of humanist wrong: you reduce your opponent to a two dimensional caricature and that is one step from treating them as such.

Vincent Toups of NC 12:51PM August 19, 2009

All the emotive talk of 'slaughtered' babies misses the point that most abortions are early when the 'baby' the 'unborn American' is about 128 cells, not the cutesy (and inaccurate) little fetus models they hand out at pro-life rallies? Perhaps doing something about the millions of already-born Americans' lack of health-care would be a better starting point? It's also odd that the Christians who comprise the most vocal anti-abortion lobbies belong to a faith which has slaughtered millions of BORN people over the centuries, and consistently blocks efforts to promote safe sex and sex education It's embarrassing to live in a country so backward. Hmmmm

Seth A of MI 2:47AM August 19, 2009

Why shouldn't the government fund abortion within the Health Bill - and for that matter why not offer FREE contraception as many European countries (like Britain)do?
Abortion, within the current legal constraints is just that - a legal procedure so why should religious groups get to determine whether it should be funded by federal cash or not? If they want to determine how taxes are spent I suggest they start paying some?
Indeed Jesus in the Gospels NEVER mentions sex, abortion, homosexuality or any of the other issues that exercise today's churches; (granted the Old Testament has a great deal to say, but given that it also has prohibitions against mixed fiber clothing, shellfish, pork, mentruating women souring milk and much other nonsense, if one wishes to take on board the OT then good luck!) One thinks that if that's the case maybe he respected the individual more than many of his current worshipers?

Dr. Douglas Allchin of OR 2:39AM August 19, 2009

Its none of the Vatican's business what we do here. This isn't 15th century England where they whispered into the ears of kings. Don't people know the healthcare reform isn't including ANY reproductive healthcare, anyways?! So regardless of whether abortion is covered or not people will still have more of them because our precious overhaul will NOT include ANY reproductive healthcare. You think your "god" is going to help you with the medical bills from having a baby? NO!! It’s going to be cheaper for people to have abortions now thanks to the conservatives constantly nagging about what reproductive healthcare is included or not; now we have none. I heard it all from the douche bag Dorgan (ND), myself.

Billy Roeith of ND 5:23PM August 18, 2009

Read my blog post on why women’s health is universal health care:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cecile-richards/womens-health-is-universa_b_262370.html

Cecile Richards of NY 3:58PM August 18, 2009

I agree with the Bishops.
Respect Life.
Protect Life.
Love Life.
The majority of Americans don't support the slaughter of unborn children. America is speaking out against a Heath Care plan that is not abortion free.
Life is important.
Don't support the slaughter of 3200 unborn American children a day (1.2 Million a year)!
It's simple:
Most Americans want Health Care without the slaughter of the least of our people!

ComPassion of IN 8:05PM August 17, 2009

"Can you name another group is so evenly split between traditionally Democratic and Republican goals? "
Anyone who follows the statements made by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will come to understand that to follow the teachings of the Church is to find yourself at odds with the Republicans on a great number of issues and at odds with the Democrats on a great number of other issues. This is hardly a new phenomenon!
Those who are Pro-Life should favor Health Care Reform. It can only help the unborn to guarantee women access to pre-natal and pediatric care. It should be no wonder that uninsured women access abortion services at a disproportionately high rate compared to women who have health insurance.
If you want to be on the side of Life, be on the side of Health.
Paul Bradford, Pro-Life Catholics for Choice

Paul Bradford of MA 6:28PM August 17, 2009