Speaker Misspeaks On Theology

Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families : When it comes to values issues, the media and leftwing groups routinely criticize conservatives for inserting religion into politics, and yet they stay silent when the “Religious Left” makes a faith-based case for bigger government or pacifism. But, unfortunately, there are also times when liberals try to use appeals to faith and end up grossly distorting the Gospel in the process.

I am still recovering from Obama saying that the Sermon on the Mount informs his support for the radical agenda of the militant homosexual rights movement and his opposition to the traditional definition of marriage. That’s an interpretation I completely missed growing up. And after re-reading it several times recently, I still don’t see what Obama sees.

Now here comes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi misrepresenting the doctrines of the Catholic Church and distorting the teaching of St. Augustine on life. This weekend on Meet the Press, Pelosi was asked by Tom Brokaw to help out Barack Obama after he was stumped at the Saddleback forum over the question of when a baby gets human rights. Here’s how Pelosi answered the question:

“I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctrines of the church have not been able to make that definition. . . . St. Augustine said at three months. We don’t know. The point is, is that it shouldn’t have an impact on a woman’s right to choose. . . . I don’t think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins.”

The reaction to Pelosi’s comments was severe. As one might expect, Catholic leaders objected to her remarks, but their response was more than just an obligatory press release. Several Catholic leaders around the country were quick to clarify Pelosi’s misstatement of Catholic doctrine, and they had some very pointed remarks of their own.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver issued a statement saying, “Killing an unborn child is never the right answer to a woman’s or society’s problems. …Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is a gifted public servant of strong convictions and many professional skills. Regrettably, knowledge of Catholic history and teaching does not seem to be one of them.”

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., said, “Abortion is evil. It’s the destruction of a human life . . . this teaching has not changed and remains unchanged.”

Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine also issued a statement that strongly affirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to the sanctity of human life, concluding, “…the Church teaches that from the time of conception (fertilization), each member of the human species must be given the full respect due to a human person, beginning with respect for the fundamental right to life.”

Whatever “outreach” the Democrats had hoped for in attracting the support of people of faith has probably suffered a huge setback in recent days. No matter what image they try to project, the fact remains that the Democrat Party is 100% committed to abortion-on-demand and the radical agenda of the homosexual movement.

Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate the Democrats have ever nominated, and in calling for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, he has fully embraced the most extreme positions of the Left when it comes to the redefinition of marriage and the family. The contrast on values issues between Sen. McCain and Barack Obama is tremendous. In the days ahead, we will be working overtime to expose Obama’s radical record!

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Tags: Barack Obama, Election 2008, Gary Bauer, Nancy Pelosi, pro-abortion, religious left To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!