Vote Catholic?: Beyond the Political Din - Softcover

Evans, Bernard F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0814629466 ISBN 13: 9780814629468

Publisher: Liturgical Press, 2008

Synopsis

Voting your conscience can be a challenge. In our emotionally charged political environment, many people are asking about the role of faith in elections. Of course, faith should inform the political choices we make and the way we use our time to try to improve the world. Yet, it seems the loudest Catholic political voices fall in one of two choruses - that of "the left," advocating for social justice issues, and of "the right," claiming abortion as the single most important issue. In Vote Catholic, Bernard Evans helps us get beyond the sometimes deafening din of these choruses. He takes us to the heart of an important third voice - Catholic social teaching - and shows how this teaching can inform Catholics as they wrestle with political choices. Without putting forward a particular platform or advocating particular candidates or positions, he presents a clear set of principles from the teachings to guide our decision-making process. With special attention to the Catholic position on life and human dignity, Evans shows that the issues and the solutions are more complex than our "headline news" world suggests.

About this title

About the Author:

Bernard F. Evans holds the Virgil Michel Ecumenical Chair in Rural Social Ministries at Saint John's School of Theology Seminary, Collegeville, Minnesota. A frequent speaker in parishes on the topic of biblical stewardship, he holds a PhD from Catholic University of America. His previous books include Lazarus at the Table: Catholics and Social Justice and Vote Catholic? Beyond the Political Din, published by Liturgical Press.

Review:

This reviewer would recommend the book highly for undergraduate courses in decision-making or social justice. . . . It is short, readable, and cheap—an asset in any college classroom.Horizons

Every conscientious Catholic will find this an invaluable resource when pondering a decision about for whom to vote.Prairie Messenger

Now is the time to see the light. Bernard Evans sheds light by disseminating Catholic social teaching in Vote Catholic? He suggests we go beyond the headlines and campaign slogans because ‘Religion and politics do mix!’The Jersey Journal

. . . Vote Catholic? Beyond the Political Din is a ‘must read’ and ideally a ‘must discuss,’ for Catholics before going to the polls or becoming involved in politics in other ways. It is a very readable book that will appeal to a wide range of American Catholics, those of voting age as well as teens. Discussion points are noted at the end of each chapter, which can help to guide conversations about the issues Evans addresses. It is to be hoped that such discussions will take place around the family dinner table, over coffee with friends and neighbors, and in parish communities and schools.Pastoral Music

Being a responsible voter and a faithful Catholic is never easy, but Bernard Evans' book provides some clarity through ‘the political din.’ He explains ideas like ‘the common good’ and the background to the U.S. bishops’ election-year statements. Evans eschews single-issue voting, like making anti-abortion the litmus test, because he argues that being pro-life means supporting candidates who protect human life and dignity at every stage and in every way. This concise guide through Catholic social teachings never settles for the simplistic. A must-read in an election year!Barbara Beckwith, Managing Editor/Book Review Editor, St. Anthony Messenger

Bernard Evans has written a valuable book for every Catholic voter (and others as well). He makes it very clear that voting, a moral obligation, is an expression of one’s faith. I think Chapter Five, ‘Promoting a Pro-life Agenda,’ is especially helpful in deciding on a candidate when no one candidate’s position on various life-issues satisfies all our moral concerns. He stresses, and rightfully so, that voting on a single issue is not voting responsibly. Vote Catholic? Teaches us to vote the Gospel!Bishop Victor H. Balke, Diocese of Crookston, MN

In an age of single-issue politics, the marriage of extremist religious and political ideologies, and competing values and agendas, Bernard Evans offers some down-to-earth common theological sense about what should guide Christians when they vote. Firmly rooted in Catholic social teaching, issues like promoting the common good, the dignity and value of all human life, and the ‘preferential option for the poor,’ are central concerns in this context. While written specifically as a guide for Catholics, Christians of various denominations will find this extremely helpful as well. The summaries and study guides at the end of each short chapter make this an extremely useful text for adult education in parishes and schools. Here is a book that needs to be read!Maxwell E. Johnson, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame

About this edition

• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0814629466
• ISBN 13: 9780814629468
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112