Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman from California, recently spoke up about how the Republican Party is using religion in a way he thinks is wrong. He said the GOP is “weaponizing faith,” which means they are using people’s beliefs about God and religion to try to get political power and push certain ideas, especially about abortion.
What Swalwell Said About the GOP
Swalwell said that the Republican Party often says they represent Christian values, but he believes they are using religion to take away women’s rights. He said this isn’t right because faith should be a personal thing, not something politicians use to control people.
He mentioned that a lot of laws being made to restrict abortion come from this idea of using religion as a tool. Swalwell thinks that religion should not be a reason to limit what women can decide about their own bodies.
Praising a Democrat Who Supports Christians Who Choose Abortion
Swalwell also talked about a Democrat who recently said something important. This person said that it’s okay for Christians to support abortion rights. Swalwell really liked this because it shows that you don’t have to give up your faith to believe in a woman’s right to choose.
He explained that faith means different things to different people. Some Christians believe in abortion rights because they think it’s about fairness and helping people make their own choices. Swalwell said this idea helps more people understand that religion and abortion rights don’t have to be enemies.
Why Religion and Politics Get Mixed Up
The reason this topic is tricky is because many people connect abortion to religion. Republicans often use Christian beliefs to say abortion should be illegal. But Swalwell’s point is that not all Christians think the same way.
Some believe supporting abortion rights is part of their faith because it respects people’s freedom and kindness. Others don’t agree. This difference makes it hard for politicians to talk about religion without upsetting some voters.
What This Means for Elections
Abortion is a big issue in politics right now, especially with elections coming up. Republicans often focus on being against abortion to get their supporters excited. But Swalwell thinks this also pushes away people who feel like their faith is being used in a negative way.
Swalwell’s praise for the Democrat who supports abortion rights shows that some Democrats want to say loud and clear: You can be religious and still support a woman’s right to choose. It’s about being open and respectful of different beliefs.
What’s Next?
The fight over abortion and religion isn’t going away anytime soon. Swalwell’s words remind us that religion should bring people together, not be used as a weapon to divide them.
As the election season heats up, both parties will keep talking about this issue. But Swalwell hopes more leaders will focus on understanding each other instead of using religion to push people apart.
