Religious Blackmail

I’m not a Catholic, and don’t have strong opinions for or against abortion. However, I strongly resent Bishop Leo T. Maher’s blatant attempt to exploit someone’s personal religious beliefs for political ends.

Bishop Maher is attempting to force an elected official to take a political position that is contrary to the views of a majority of their constituents, or face religious persecution. Recent polls show that seven out of 10 voters feel abortion is a matter of painful personal choice. They feel that the issue must be dealt with by the individual, not dictated by either the church or the state.

Regardless of whether or not I agree with these sentiments, I feel that Ms. (Lucy) Killea, as an elected official, must try to consider and reflect the views of the majority of her constituents on issues. That is what representative democracy is about.

Bishop Maher is threatening all Catholic politicians’ religious well-being unless they blindly follow his church’s doctrine on this issue. That clearly violates the separation of church and state, and utilizes religious blackmail to achieve secular political goals. Bishop Maher is turning the local Catholic Church into a political lobby.

Perhaps it’s time to recognize that, on this issue, the Catholic Church has become a political lobby and should pay taxes like the rest of us.

DON WOOD

La Mesa