Praise the Lord and Pass the Stem Cells

By Amy Smith, Austin Chronicle
September 07, 2006

Who says Democrats don't know anything about values? Gubernatorial hopeful Chris Bell quoted from the Bible, touched on his personal faith, and talked tough on morals Tuesday at Southwestern University in Georgetown. In a text of his remarks, Bell said, "I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of faith being wielded as a source of division rather than a source of strength and unity."

"Rick Perry does not understand that budgets are more than numbers on a line item," he said. "Budgets are moral documents that reflect our shared moral priorities as a society."

But he cautioned that discussion of religion or faith shouldn't be banned from the public square and demonstrated why such discussion is necessary, while taking a swipe at the sitting governor. "That's why I firmly believe that our state budget is a moral document. Rick Perry does not understand that budgets are more than numbers on a line item," he said. "Budgets are moral documents that reflect our shared moral priorities as a society."

Turning to health care and the GOP leadership's ideological opposition to medical progress, Bell asked, "What would Jesus do about stem-cell research? Jesus didn't tell us to heal the sick unless politics get in the way. My faith leads me to the conclusion that pursuing the cures to diseases such as Parkinson's, which took my mother's life, is our moral responsibility. What would Jesus do? He would not let political objections stand in the way of healing the sick. Stem-cell research isn't just a good idea; it's a moral calling."

http://www.chrisbell.com/newsroom/090706_auschron