No communion for Obama supporters

[epchick]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

Also, I thought clergy weren't supposed to dictate to their congregants how they should vote? If they do, they risk losing their tax-exempt status.

They can't. And this isn't one of those cases.

[LightBulb]

Originally Posted by epchick

They can't. And this isn't one of those cases.

I suppose it's not dictating, but it could be considered coercion (threat of mortal sin/damnation could be very persuasive) if it weren't post hoc. Did they say this before the election or just after?

[epchick]

Originally Posted by LightBulb

I suppose it's not dictating, but it could be considered coercion (threat of mortal sin/damnation could be very persuasive) if it weren't post hoc. Did they say this before the election or just after?

I don't see how it could be coersion. The election is over, it's not like his parishioners can go back and change their vote.

[LightBulb]

Originally Posted by epchick

I don't see how it could be coersion. The election is over, it's not like his parishioners can go back and change their vote.

That's why I asked if it happened before the election as well. If it did, I can see how it could be coercion. If not, I agree that it is irrelevant because people can't vote anymore.

[SWTXBelle]

Here's what I don't get - if you disagree with a fundamental tenet of your church (in this case, abortion and communion in the Roman Catholic church) why wouldn't you find a church with whom you were in more accord?

[LightBulb]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Here's what I don't get - if you disagree with a fundamental tenet of your church (in this case, abortion and communion in the Roman Catholic church) why wouldn't you find a church with whom you were in more accord?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the whole "sanctity of life" thing from papal encyclicals rather than dogma?

[epchick]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Here's what I don't get - if you disagree with a fundamental tenet of your church (in this case, abortion and communion in the Roman Catholic church) why wouldn't you find a church with whom you were in more accord?

Well aren't all Christian churches fundamentally the same? I mean if you are "pro-choice" and disagree with the Catholic idea of abortion, then you'll probably disagree with the Protestant (many branches/secs) idea of abortion. Right?

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by epchick

Well aren't all Christian churches fundamentally the same? I mean if you are "pro-choice" and disagree with the Catholic idea of abortion, then you'll probably disagree with the Protestant (many, if not all, branches/secs) idea of abortion. Right?

Oh, you could join ECUSA, no problem. Many other mainline Prots don't have an anti-abortion stance. . And then you could always be a Unitarian . . .

eta - ECUSA - Episcopal Church U.S.A.

[LightBulb]

Originally Posted by epchick

Well aren't all Christian churches fundamentally the same? I mean if you are "pro-choice" and disagree with the Catholic idea of abortion, then you'll probably disagree with the Protestant (many branches/secs) idea of abortion. Right?

Interesting word choice.

Maybe when it comes to abortion, but Christian churches differ from each other on many other issues, both spiritually and socially.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by epchick

Well aren't all Christian churches fundamentally the same? I mean if you are "pro-choice" and disagree with the Catholic idea of abortion, then you'll probably disagree with the Protestant (many branches/secs) idea of abortion. Right?

Many protestant denominations do not take official stances on social issues, and NONE are supposed to promote certain political issues, ballot measures or candidates. This sounds like a violation of separation of church and state to me, which means revocation of 501 c 3 status.

[GeekyPenguin]

I'll just add this to the list of reasons I'm not supposed to take Communion and then take it anyway. If I start feeling bad, I'll go to confession.

And no, I couldn't find another church I like more. I like my brand of crazy much better than the other kinds.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Here's what I don't get - if you disagree with a fundamental tenet of your church (in this case, abortion and communion in the Roman Catholic church) why wouldn't you find a church with whom you were in more accord?

Yep. Or recognize that you can't expect to be in full communion with the church.


Although honestly this priest saying this surprised me because there's been no directive like this from above. Previously the discussion of withholding communion was for politicians who failed to support church doctrine.

So on some level what they are saying isn't you can't vote that way but instead, you can't vote that way and expect the church to treat you as if you are living up to your church's teaching.


And yeah, I do think it's kind of odd that they single out only abortion, but hey, they get to make the rules. If it bothers you, you may be happier as an Episcopalian. It's similar in a lot of ways, but less authoritarian.

[ree-Xi]

Slightly off tangent observation....

Ever notice that those people who are the most for or against a particular party/candidate/elected official, usually base their arguments on one of two things - abortion and gun control.

I am talking about the everyday person who doesn't have much more to say in a discussion about politics...it's usually one of these two highly emotionally charged issues that makes the decision for them.

People are nutty.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Slightly off tangent observation....

Ever notice that those people who are the most for or against a particular party/candidate/elected official, usually base their arguments on one of two things - abortion and gun control.

I am talking about the everyday person who doesn't have much more to say in a discussion about politics...it's usually one of these two highly emotionally charged issues that makes the decision for them.

People are nutty.

I'm teaching English 1301, and there are four topics my students may NOT write their research paper on: abortion, gun control, capital punishment and legalization of drugs. If I never have to read a paper on those four topics again, I can die a happy woman.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I'm teaching English 1301, and there are four topics my students may NOT write their research paper on: abortion, gun control, capital punishment and legalization of drugs. If I never have to read a paper on those four topics again, I can die a happy woman.

LOL - I'm teaching Ethical Theory and my class would be lost without having those topics available.

Not being Catholic, I can't really comment on how appropriate it is (or isn't) for the priest to deny Obama supporters communion. All I can say is that I'm appreciative of all my former and current religious consults. I have never been asked about political matters in a religious setting, and I'm quite happy about that.