I got a few messages this week informing me that some folks on social media are saying that my recent piece merging “Evangelicals for Harris” with Charles Camosy’s First Things essay on abortion means that I am going to vote for Donald Trump in November. We got a good laugh about that in the extended Fea household.
A few quick comments:
I will be voting for president in November. No candidate is perfect, but I will vote for the candidate who I believe will uphold and defend those American institutions that are essential for a thriving democracy.
I have never made abortion a litmus test. Yes, I am pro-life. That means I want to reduce abortions in the United States. My view before Dobbs was that overturning Roe v. Wade would not end abortion. When it was overturned, I was ambivalent. I still believe social policies that help the poor, coupled with some reasonable limits on the practice, is the best way to reduce abortions. I am not in favor of late-term abortions, so-called “partial birth” abortions, or, God forbid, infanticide. So yes, what I learned from Charles Camosy’s piece on Tim Walz is disturbing. Camosy’s work should not be dismissed.
When it comes to voting, however, Tim Walz’s views on abortion should be considered in a larger context. (I have tried to place him as a candidate in a larger context here). Voters will need to decide how much they want to weigh a vice-presidential candidate’s views on abortion (or a presidential candidate’s views of abortion, for that matter) over and against a bunch of other factors at play in this election. To repeat: I will be voting for the ticket that I believe will uphold and defend the American institutions essential for a thriving democracy.
As for “Evangelicals for Harris,” I wish them well. As I wrote in my previous post, I do not believe in political saviors. This is why I do not join political movements. I also think that uniting with a political campaign undermines my ability to speak independently (and apparently tick people off when I do). I still believe politics is a dark space. It will suck out your soul. I know many of my Calvinist friends think the political sphere is is redeemable. I’m not so sure.
Well said.
I was interested in the group Evangelicals for Harris; but I did not watch the Zoom. I can’t say that I came away from reading your article feeling happy or gloomy. I do like the idea that these words and thoughts were expressed to a larger group. However, I’m not sure if it will help reduce the polarization with-in the church or the community at large. It might or might not. Zoom is an interesting way to inform lots of people.
I appreciated your comments on your position regarding voting for president. When I was in high school so many decades ago, we were taught the reason why we voted secret ballot. If we wanted people to know we might wear a pin with the name or picture of whom we would vote for if we were at an age to vote. Now days it seems to be an expectation that we disclose this. And my email box and texts are filled daily with various people and organizations asking me who I will vote for. I am now pruning email by blocking the emails.
Thank you, Sue Peterson