Quote:
Originally posted by Spanky
I am not a Catholic (White Protestant Male that votes Republican - there is a surprise) so I find this stuff fascinating. Do you think a pro-death penalty Catholic politician should be able to get communion?
There were many policy positions that JP took that I did not like, but I think his lack of hypocracy made him a total stud boy - so to speak. I wish we had more religious leaders (especially on my side of the Christian aisle) with his strenght of character.
|
I am not very religious. I was raised a catholic. None of the children that I support (subject to paterntiy tests) or whose paternity I acknowledge are baptised nor do those same children go to church. Ever. Not even on Christmas. Or Easter.
That said, I do respect the Catholic church for what it is. A doctrinaire organization. Its position on abortion is clear. Its position on the death penalty is clear. Its position on gay marriage is clear. The stated authority for its position on those subjects is clear. I don't necessarily agree with all of its positions but I acknowledge that in its eyes I need to strengthen my faith and lessen my sinfulness (not counting the hookers and booze) but I don't criticise its faithfulness to its doctrine. If Catholic dissenters don't like it, go find a protestant church that mirrors their beliefs. One exists. The Catholic church is not false advertising itself, either buy it or move on.
All that said, having nothing to do with Catholicism, in the last 5 years I flipped my formerly consistent but anti-Catholic death penalty/abortion positions to be consistent (sort of..almost) and in conformity with the pope. God bless. Amen.
