Should a candidate's abortion stance be the litmus...

[Nurse Juliette]

...test to guide how Catholics and Christians vote? Should Catholics/Christians vote solely on the basis that a candidate is pro-life at expense of other important social issues (for example, health care, foreign relations, etc.)?

[march]

It depends on the denomination. Catholics believe in social justice but each part of social justice is weighted. Abortion and Euthanasia are tops on the list (Life is most important) and doctrinally should be first when evaluating a candidate. The death penalty does not fall under this since it is an acceptable punishment when the criminal will never not be a threat to society. Of course, in today's world, we can incarcerate criminals indefinitely so there is no true need. As for the additional social justice issues, it falls to the Last Judgement. You will be judged on how you treated the poor, not how your government did. It is a personal responsibility.Many protestants also believe in this but some allow for abortion and euthanasia so you cannot make the blanket statement.

[mikeinportc]

Depends on how strongly you feel about it . If that's your primary concern, then maybe . Up to you . Me? No . It's a minor thing . Nobody's "pro-abortion". Some don't want government involved , some do . *shrug*. The other issues have a greater impact , on a greater number of lives . ps "Catholics/Christians " ? Huh? Not the first time I've seen it or heard it . Since when did Catholics become non-Christian?Not that I care much what the born-again Catholic-detesters think , just asking . ( & I don't necessarily mean you, just thinking of some I've known.)