How is that 'influencing' politics? If you don't meet the requirements the Catholic (i.e. God) has set forth to receive communion, then don't attend Catholic mass and go to a different church or abide by the Catholic guidelines
it's not hard. I don't go to a Baptist church because I'm not Baptist and I don't agree with their rule sets. If a politician or any person doesn't meet the requirements for communion then YOU DON'T GET IT.
You second point, reinforces what has been wrong with the Christian community the last couple hundred years with all the different sections sprouting up. God did not give humansa menu to pick and choose from what they believe.
I'll wrap it up and end my participation in this thread. The Catholic Church is a business; I recognize that. However, it is a business with morals, values, and a set rule set. (no preist jokes needed) If you don't agree wtih the Catholic Church, fine, don't Catholic. The Catholic church, IMO, has every right to influence the Government as they see fit, just as any other entity has the means to influence. If you don't like who they influence, don't vote for them...
Originally posted by zgendron:
Examples would be refusing to give political figures communion based on their political views. Clearly the church is trying to influence politics directly. I do not see other religious organizations making other such stands.
Additionally, as I stated before, we need to seperate Catholics from the Catholic Church for the same reasons stated above. I cannot think of one example of how the UCC has tried to influence the political party. Additionally, our church is free to create its own bylaws and belief structure. Recently we voted to become an open and affirming church.
