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I’m a Devout, Anti-Abortion Progressive — Yes, We Do Exist!
Everyone seems to have it out for me. Seriously. As a religious progressive, I feel like I’m constantly under fire. My fellow progressives roll their eyes at my devout Catholic beliefs. I don’t support abortion, attend Mass every Sunday, and I don’t believe women should take on the priestly role. I also think pornography harms families, prostitution should be illegal, and I’m a fan of good ol’ monogamy. Just take a look at my kids’ names: Blaise, Augustine, and Simon Peter. Talk about Catholic!
On the flip side, many Catholics—especially Republicans who have adopted a staunch anti-abortion stance—dislike me for my progressive views. I resonate with Dorothy Day’s approach to alleviating poverty; I believe people don’t choose poverty, they’re trapped by their circumstances. I advocate for universal health care—something we desperately need right now—and I see our current lack of it as barbaric. I’m convinced that sexual orientation is genetic and trust that the Church will eventually come to accept this truth. I want to see welfare programs expanded, affordable housing provided, and job opportunities created. The idea that people can just pull themselves up by their bootstraps? I reject that entirely. Global poverty and wage slavery are pressing issues, and I try to buy responsibly; most of our clothes are second-hand. Plus, I’m all for strict gun control—unlike some, I really do want to take away your guns.
Progressives tell me I’m anti-woman, anti-sex, and excessively prudish because I can’t support polyamory. Meanwhile, Republicans seem more concerned about my liberalism than the real issues at hand. This partisan divide means I often find myself disenchanted with candidates. I can’t bring myself to vote Republican, as many of them uphold the belief that poverty results from personal failure, rejecting the need for any social support systems. Their blind faith in the free market raises serious doubts about their judgment.
While I agree that abortion is wrong—yes, I believe it’s akin to murder—Republicans often overlook the essential societal changes needed to effectively outlaw it. We need counseling, job training, expanded WIC and Medicaid, access to contraception, and significant support for domestic violence prevention and human trafficking issues. We should also improve education and career pathways for young women, increase subsidized housing, and ensure a 100% crackdown on unpaid child support. But Republicans typically refuse to fund these initiatives. Even if they did, studies show that the number of abortions wouldn’t necessarily decrease; they’d just become more dangerous. Furthermore, we risk criminalizing women for miscarriages. And just imagine their solution: arming everyone to shoot anyone who seems threatening (you know, like people of color or immigrants).
It’s equally challenging to align with a liberal candidate because they often go full Emily’s List on me. I’m nodding along during discussions about climate policy, gun control, and immigration reform, but the moment the topic of a woman’s right to choose arises, I freeze up. To me, that’s sanctioning baby murder, and saying that out loud doesn’t win me any favors. I know I’m bound to lose friends over this.
Catholics emphasize a candidate’s anti-abortion stance as the top priority for voting, which applies to all candidates—even those who won’t have direct influence on abortion laws. The president can appoint justices and veto abortion-related bills, but that’s about it. They can’t conjure legislation or magically erase abortion. Hence, I refuse to let abortion dictate my voting choices, even though it makes me uncomfortable. This has led to bishops and pamphlets claiming I can’t take Communion and that I’m headed for eternal damnation.
On the other hand, liberals are quick to shout about litmus tests and the urgent need to safeguard a woman’s right to choose. I find myself cringing in the corner, remembering that my first protest was an anti-abortion rally at the age of 10. The thought of late-term abortions makes my stomach churn. I’m all for universal healthcare, immigration reform, carbon taxes, and abolishing the Dakota Pipeline, but candidates seem to insist on emphasizing the right to choose.
Believe it or not, I’m probably one of the few people in America advocating for a ban on porn while wanting to legalize marijuana.
I’m a Catholic progressive. And, well, you probably don’t like me.
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Summary
In a world where identities can feel so polarized, I stand as a devout Catholic and anti-abortion progressive, navigating the complexities of my beliefs. I face criticism from both sides: liberals for my stance on abortion and conservatives for my progressive ideals. I advocate for social reforms and a compassionate approach to poverty, while grappling with the challenges of political alignment. Ultimately, I find myself in a unique position that challenges the status quo of both faith and political beliefs.