Religion

cbayer

(146,218 posts) Fri Oct 12, 2012, 10:57 AM Oct 2012

Question on Catholicism, abortion, makes for dramatic moments in vice presidential debate

Great debate, imo.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/12/question-on-catholicism-abortion-makes-for-dramatic-moments-in-vice-presidential-debate/

October 12th, 2012
12:01 AM ET
Question on Catholicism, abortion, makes for dramatic moments in vice presidential debate
By Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor

Washington (CNN) – It was the first-ever debate between two Roman Catholics vying for a White House perch, and in Thursday’s face-off between Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, the question was put plainly: How does your faith shape your position on abortion?

It’s one of the most divisive questions in American politics, and the query from debate moderator Martha Raddatz, asked near the end of the sole vice presidential debate, set the table for some of the night’s most personal and poignant moments.

“I don't see how a person can separate their public life from their private life or from their faith,” said Ryan. “Our faith informs us in everything we do.”

“My religion defines who I am,” said Biden. “I’ve been a practicing Catholic my whole life.”

more at link.

4 replies

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Question on Catholicism, abortion, makes for dramatic moments in vice presidential debate (Original Post) cbayer Oct 2012 OP

Which of these statements is the more consistent? rug Oct 2012 #1

I thought Biden's response was brilliant and poignant. cbayer Oct 2012 #2

Precisely. rug Oct 2012 #3

Biden was spot on. That kind of response is all anyone can ask for. cleanhippie Oct 2012 #4

rug

(82,333 posts)

1. Which of these statements is the more consistent?

Reply to cbayer (Original post)

Fri Oct 12, 2012, 01:35 PM

Oct 2012

Ryan said his religion – combined with “reason and science” – led him to oppose legalized abortion, and that “the policy of a Romney administration is to oppose abortion with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.”

Ryan recalled when he and his wife, Janna, saw the ultrasound of their firstborn child, Liza. “We saw that heartbeat – a little baby was in the shape of a bean,” he said, noting that they still called their daughter “Bean” and saying he believes that “life begins at conception.”

Biden said he accepted his church’s anti-abortion position – “life begins at conception in the church’s judgment” – but that he refused to impose that view on “equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews.”

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

2. I thought Biden's response was brilliant and poignant.

Reply to rug (Reply #1)

Fri Oct 12, 2012, 01:42 PM

Oct 2012

I can't think of words to better explain the position that he, and so many others hold. My beliefs are mine, but I would not dare to impose them on others.

Ryan's, on the other hand, was totally hypocritical. If you truly believe that abortion is murder, then how can you justify exceptions? You just can't.

rug

(82,333 posts)

3. Precisely.

Reply to cbayer (Reply #2)

Fri Oct 12, 2012, 02:08 PM

Oct 2012

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)

4. Biden was spot on. That kind of response is all anyone can ask for.

Reply to rug (Reply #1)

Fri Oct 12, 2012, 02:31 PM

Oct 2012

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