Can Apostolics be Democrats?

[ChristopherHall]

Just because one votes for a particular party it doesn't mean they agree with everything that party stands for. There are things on the Republican agenda that I don't agree with at all and I've voted Republican. So I think it's possible to be a devout Apostolic and vote Democrat. Sometimes some issues strike closer to home. If you've lost your family's income because your job was quickly moved overseas, if your family cannot afford health insurance any longer, or if you feel that unelected corporate power has become too great in Washington you might vote Democratic. Some of these issues have a more direct effect on our families than the issues of abortion or gay marriage. Nearly all of us stand against abortion and gay marriage...however our families must come first. Some Christians believe that you should secure your job, get health insurance for your family, and then maybe you can focus on righting the behavior of others.

When it comes to abortion there are really three views most religious people take in the Democratic Party:

Some believe that life doens't truly begin until the child breathes it's first breath. I don't think this can stand up to biblical scrutiny.

Some believe that abortion is morally wrong but feel that the government isn't the answer. Therefore they believe in preaching against abortion and allowing social conscience to fight abortion. Seeing that in 1997 the abortion rate was the lowest in American history (even lower than when abortion was illegal) this position has some merit to it. Change people's hearts and minds and though it may be legal few will choose abortion. Also Christian Democrats in this school of thought support programs and funding for programs that will assist women in crisis pregnancies to lessen the chances of them choosing abortion. One such Democratic initiative was promoted by the DFLA (Democrats for Life of America) called the 95-10 Initiative. It's aim was to reduce the abortion rate 95% in ten years...and that's without banning the procedure. Of course Republicans rejected the legislation. Some Christian Democrats also see that abortion and poverty have links. Two out of three women who procure abortion live below the poverty level. They note that their reason for choosing abortion is economic hardship. The theory is that many of these women are poor, scared, and acting out of fear. If measures to relieve poverty and assist women who may need it are there fewer will choose abortion.

Then you have the view of many Pro-Life Democrats that they want to eventually change the position of the Democratic Party on abortion and ban it in the US. They remain Democrats because they see too much corruption in the Republican economic system. They don't believe in Social Darwinist economics. They favor fair market over free market and they also may acknowledge that there are other issues like global warming and excessive war that are pressing.

So yes...I believe an Apostolic can be a Democrat. They just see things differently than their Republican brothers and sisters. If you're going to be a Republican...be the best Republican you can be. If you're going to be a Democrat...be the best Democrat you can be.

I'm a moderate so I don't claim to be a member of any political party. I vote for what will first benefit my family and second for those who will address the pressing issues of the day. If I felt that the most pressing issue is defense I'd most likely vote Republican. If I felt that the most pressing issue is the rising costs of health care on the American family...I'd most likely vote Democrat.

After so many years of Republican dominance we've not seen anything really impressive come out in regards to abortion and gay marriage. What can "government" really do about these issues? Banning abortion has never ended abortion. Nations in South America have banned abortion and still have some of the highest abortion rates in the world. However, Belgium is very liberal and abortion is legal...but it has one of the lowest abortion rates in the world. If government is the answer one would think the numbers would be the other way around.

As you can see there are some very different ways to look at the political issues of the day. I personally have no issue with Apostolic Democrats. I know and am good friends with quite a few of them.