Democratic platform endorses unrestricted abortion, same-sex marriage
September 04, 2012
The Democratic Party platform for 2012 “strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade, endorses legal recognition of same-sex marriage, and regards the promotion of “gay rights” as an American foreign-policy priority.
The program approved by the Democratic Party at this week’s convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, no longer says that abortion should be “rare,” as previous party platforms once said. In a blanket statement of support for unrestricted legal abortion, the platform says: “We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.”
The platform adds that the option of abortion should be available to all women “regardless of ability to pay,” underlining Democratic support for taxpayer-financed abortions.
In a new bid for support from homosexual activists, the platform says: “We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under the law for same sex couples."
Regarding the rights of churches that refuse to acknowledge same-sex marriage, the platform says: “We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference.” That sentence is ambiguous, insofar as it says that religious institutions should be allowed to decide “how” to celebrate marriages; the platform gives no indication that they should remain free not to solemnize homosexual marriages.
The Democratic platform applauds the Obama administration’s decision to treat same-sex relationships as “families” for purposes of immigration policy, and to fund programs that finance gay-rights organizations abroad through the State Department. The platform explains that “gay rights are human rights.”
"President Obama and Democrats will continue to stand up to Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood health centers,” the Democratic platform proclaims. And: “President Obama and the Democratic Party are committed to supporting family planning around the globe...”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Moving America Forward 2012 (Democratic National Platform)
- Democratic platform calls for "safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay" (Catholic World Report)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: chasann113163 -
Sep. 05, 2012 2:37 PM ET USA
This is truly a sad time for our country, but sitting out this election will only bring more of these ralicals out. This President has embraced to many of these radical groups and their ways of thinking. I will vote for Mitt Romny because, if we don't do something to change things , it will soon be to late and we will not have a country that lives under God's rules, and we will only have ourselves to blame. so I say, Vote for Mitt if for no other reason but to put God back in our country.
-
Posted by: rdennehy8049 -
Sep. 05, 2012 8:18 AM ET USA
May God have mercy on America. I believe that the main problem was caused by my generation; I'm 73; since we had the era of Playboy and similiar magazine with their enlighting articles. We also granted more leeway to the movie industry.
-
Posted by: rpp -
Sep. 05, 2012 12:13 AM ET USA
I have great fear for this country that such a radical document is supported by so many who could correctly be described as "mainstream".
-
Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Sep. 04, 2012 11:33 PM ET USA
And, for the first time, the DNC scrubbed the word 'God' from their platform! I think this is a time for all God fearing folks to get out from under that tent! I live in a Democratic state and this year's platform has become far too extreme for much of th erank and file Democrats. There is a swell of murmuring about 'sitting this election out'.
-
Posted by: koinonia -
Sep. 04, 2012 8:57 PM ET USA
Cardinal Dolan will lead the closing prayer. A feel-good moment without much to feel good about.
