There's a difference between doubting what the Church says, and assuming all clergy people are like politicians--in it for the money, and for buggering young boys.

Forgive me if I'm defensive, but I'm one of the few who still thinks that vocation of any denomination is something worth respect.

Doubt away. Aquinas and Augustine made their theology of doubt. Just consider before you type.

~Emma

Thank you. The entire church should not be condemned because of SOME dioceses' internal cultures/illegal practices and poor PR practices. 99% of clergymen are good people.

I know plenty of child-molesting clergy from other churches which have done just as bad at covering up.

Look, you missed the point . . . I wasn't implying that clergy were bad people b/c they weren't all poor (nor does the existence of exceptions disprove the rule). I was implying that it is fallacious to imply that, because politicians aren't poor, they don't perform their job in a proper fashion.

The days of the part-time congressman are over - just as the days where every member of the clergy was expected to live the life of a Chaucerian pastoral preacher . . . that was the implication.

PS - in the last decade, more Protestant ministers have been implicated in improper sex scandels than Catholic . . . that was more a throw-away comment than anything (source: CNN)

Sorry for getting too critical but do you have proof that "99% of clergymen are good people?"

I'm not saying I do or don't doubt and I do agree that the actions of a few speak for the whole, but this is how stereotypes form and there are people that are easily influenced and swayed during their thought processes. Therefore, there will always be those that doubt and those that question.

Boys and girls,
all this talk about religion and politics is turning me on.

-Rudey
--But I'm still wanting mana!

You had to declare your political affiliation to vote? That's bloody ridiculous!!!! Couldn't you declare yourself as an independent? It nobody's business who you vote for. It's your personal preference. I assume the parties are trying to find out who supports them, but in your case you're not sure which party to side with. You could say you were a democrat and then vote republican...no one can stop you from doing that.

http://www.therealdifference.com/

The only time I've ever heard of having to declare a political affiliation before voting is in the few states that may still have separate Republican and Democratic primary elections -- when votes are for who will be the party's candidate for whatever. That actually made some sense. Otherwise, Republicans could vote for the weakest Democratic candidate in order to dilute the oppositions potential to win. Did that make sense?

Colorado used to be like that, but I don't believe it is anymore. I have never heard of having to declare in order to vote in a general election.

Am I wrong on that?

Power and greed has proven to corrupt humans, its nothing new. Once youve crossed the line theres no turning back. These rich old white boys arent going to sacrifice there wealth and reputation amongst there elitist peers for the betterment of our country and the world. Its amazing these politicians try to sell us on how great of a person they are and how much they care about other people. When is the last time you heard a politician say something that you didnt want to hear? (besides trent lott) JUST ONCE I WAN"T TO HEAR THE TRUTH. It's all a big game and we are the ones being played....

In Maryland, we have seperate primaries for Dems and Repubs. You have to declare a party when you register in order to participate in the primary. If you are registered independent you cannot participate in the primary. During the generl election, you can vote for any candidate regardless of your registered party. I beleive there are other states that do it this way as well.

sigmagrrl, where do you live? when i moved back to my home state after undergrad, i had to register to vote. On the form it asked me to check a party, and i declined to do so so i am officially "independent." It kind of sucks b/c i can't vote in primaries, only general elections. However, i receive the email updates from the GOP and the Democrats (just to keep track of the propoganda on both sides of the fence).

The vast sweeping majority of clergyman are decent folk -- or at least the ones I have come in contact with in my own limited experience.

Happy now:D ?

That makes a little more sense. But don't you have to be a "card carrying" member of that party to vote in the primary?