Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry reiterated his support for abortion rights on Wednesday when asked about efforts by Catholic bishops to dissuade their flocks from voting for him because of his stance.
”I respect their views. I completely respect their views. I am a Catholic. And I grew up learning how to respect those views. But I disagree with them, as do many. I believe that I can’t legislate or transfer to another American citizen, my article of faith,” Kerry said in the final presidential debate here with President George Bush.
Abortion is a divisive issue in US politics, with many religious and conservative groups fighting to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court decision making it legal.
”I understand there’s great differences on this issue of abortion. But I believe reasonable people can come together and put a good law in place that will help reduce the number of abortions,” Bush said.
On another contentious social issue, gay marriage, both Kerry and Bush expressed their opposition to legalising the practice, but Kerry opposed a constitutional amendment to bar it, something Bush supports.
”The president and I share the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. I believe that. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” Kerry said.
”But I also believe that because we are the United States of America, we’re a country with a great, unbelievable Constitution, with rights that we afford people, that you can’t discriminate in the workplace. You can’t discriminate in the rights that you afford people.”
Bush said his proposed constitutional amendment was intended to keep ”activist judges” from imposing their will on Americans.
”I proposed a constitutional amendment. The reason I did so was because I was worried that activist judges are actually defining the definition of marriage, and the surest way to protect marriage between a man and woman is to amend the Constitution,” Bush said.
The two candidates where also asked about the role of religion in their lives during the third and final presidential debate.
”Prayer and religion sustain me. I receive calmness in the storms of the presidency,” said Bush, who often speaks publicly about his faith.
”My faith plays a lot — a big part in my life,” he said. ”I pray for strength. I pray for wisdom. I pray for our troops in harm’s way. I pray for my family.”
”But I’m mindful in a free society that people can worship if they want to or not. You’re equally an American if you choose to worship an almighty and if you choose not to.”
Kerry said that he and Bush ”have a difference of opinion about how we live out our sense of our faith”.
”As president, I will always respect everybody’s right to practice religion as they choose — or not to practice — because that’s part of America.” – Sapa-AFP