It’s 1856.  The American presidential race is on.  What would you say to me if I told you that I am opposed to slavery, but was prepared to vote for a political candidate who personally supported it, or who was part of a political party whose platform included support for it?

While there would be no reason to question the sincerity of my personal belief/position, one would be thoroughly justified in questioning the level of my concern and the propriety of my political priorities.  If candidates’ economic and foreign policy was more influential in determining my vote, then slavery ranks low on my totem poll of priorities.  While I say I am morally outraged that society would permit the use of human beings as property, my political choices indicate that my concerns lie elsewhere.  After all, how could one be genuinely concerned for the welfare of African Americans while at the same time supporting political parties and political candidates whose platform includes the enslavement of African Americans?

It’s 2012.  The American presidential race is on.  What would you say to me if I told you that I am opposed to abortion, but was prepared to vote for a political candidate who personally supported it, and was part of a political party whose platform included support for it?

While there would be no reason to question the sincerity of my personal belief/position, one would be thoroughly justified in questioning the level of my concern and the propriety of my political priorities.  If candidates’ economic and foreign policy was more influential in determining my vote, then abortion ranks low on my totem poll of priorities.  While I say I am morally outraged that society would permit the killing of innocent and defenseless human beings, my political choices indicate that my concerns lie elsewhere.  After all, how could one be genuinely concerned for the welfare of the unborn humans while at the same time supporting political parties and political candidates whose platform includes the right to kill such persons?

Our vote reveals a lot about both our beliefs and our priorities.  So please don’t tell me you are horrified by abortion and concerned to do your part to minimize or stop it, all the while you vote for political candidates and political parties who actively promote pro-abortion laws.