No communion for Obama supporters

[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.

[OneTimeSBX]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

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.

im nowhere near catholic, but is it just me, or does this seem like a way of "weeding out" the obama supporters, that way if you get up to do communion, but Mary next to you doesnt move this week after that comment...you can assume Mary might have voted for Obama...that makes for bad politics if you ask me. church shouldnt be about singling people out or letting it be known you arent as holy as the next person...that same person who voted for McCain might have other issues that would prevent them from taking communion...

[SWTXBelle]

Well, a parishoner at that church could just transfer to another RC church - one where the priest isn't as worked up about Obama.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

im nowhere near catholic, but is it just me, or does this seem like a way of "weeding out" the obama supporters, that way if you get up to do communion, but Mary next to you doesnt move this week after that comment...you can assume Mary might have voted for Obama...that makes for bad politics if you ask me. church shouldnt be about singling people out or letting it be known you arent as holy as the next person...that same person who voted for McCain might have other issues that would prevent them from taking communion...

Again, this shows a misunderstanding of Catholicism. On any Sunday many parishioners do not take the Eucharist because ANY unrepented mortal sin violates the state of grace necessary to receive it. Not just sins involving voting for pro-abortion politicians. No one is really being singled out. The Church is not about politics - bad or good. It is not a democracy. They do not take a poll before taking a stand, and on this issue the Church has resolutely stated its position. It has nothing to do with one parishioner being more or less holy than another.

The talk in this thread about the Church's position on various issues is somewhat disconcerting also. Things can't be taken out of context like that if they are to make complete sense. An understanding of the full teachings of the Church is necessary to truly understand a lot of these controversial topics.

My point is, if any of you wants to take issue with the Church's views, knock yourselves out and join a different church. But, bashing a religion that you do not understand is unfair.

[OneTimeSBX]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Again, this shows a misunderstanding of Catholicism. On any Sunday many parishioners do not take the Eucharist because ANY unrepented mortal sin violates the state of grace necessary to receive it. Not just sins involving voting for pro-abortion politicians. No one is really being singled out. The Church is not about politics - bad or good. It is not a democracy. They do not take a poll before taking a stand, and on this issue the Church has resolutely stated its position. It has nothing to do with one parishioner being more or less holy than another.

The talk in this thread about the Church's position on various issues is somewhat disconcerting also. Things can't be taken out of context like that if they are to make complete sense. An understanding of the full teachings of the Church is necessary to truly understand a lot of these controversial topics.

My point is, if any of you wants to take issue with the Church's views, knock yourselves out and join a different church. But, bashing a religion that you do not understand is unfair.

i apologize if that came out wrong, like i said, i am not Catholic and dont think i know any (if they are, they havent mentioned it...) the idea i got from the article gave me the impression that the vote for Obama wasnt included in a list of things you couldnt take communion for. i stand corrected!

that belief of not taking it if you havent completed full repentance/forgiveness isnt just a Catholic thing either. i believe Jehovahs Witnesses do that as well...at least thats what my grandmother told me.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Again, this shows a misunderstanding of Catholicism. On any Sunday many parishioners do not take the Eucharist because ANY unrepented mortal sin violates the state of grace necessary to receive it. Not just sins involving voting for pro-abortion politicians.

I'm not sure if many churches are this strict anymore, but I remember growing up as a kid, we lived by the "no food for 1 hour" before Mass. So you either got up early and ate breakfast in time for there to be at least an hour between when you ate and Mass, or you waited until after. When we'd complain, my Mom would remind us how in her day they couldn't even have a drink of water before they went to Mass (big, old church in downtown Philly, Mass was in Latin), so they'd brush their teeth but couldn't even take a sip of water while they were doing it. AND, if they forgot to wear a hat, they would put a tissue over their head because their head couldn't be uncovered. Hard core!

ETA: And so my point is, there would be people that wouldn't go up for communion, but for all you know it was because they'd just had a big family breakfast at Bob's Big Boy or back in Mom's day, it could have meant someone forgot and had a drink of water or cup of coffee before they left for Mass

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

I'm not sure if many churches are this strict anymore, but I remember growing up as a kid, we lived by the "no food for 1 hour" before Mass. So you either got up early and ate breakfast in time for there to be at least an hour between when you ate and Mass, or you waited until after. When we'd complain, my Mom would remind us how in her day they couldn't even have a drink of water before they went to Mass (big, old church in downtown Philly, Mass was in Latin), so they'd brush their teeth but couldn't even take a sip of water while they were doing it. AND, if they forgot to wear a hat, they would put a tissue over their head because their head couldn't be uncovered

I fast from midnight before Divine Liturgy and I cover as well. (I'm Orthodox.) We stand for the majority of the service and actually have a little snack together afterwards every Sunday because we're all about to fall out. It's basically a twelve hour fast each Sunday. But, in reality, I find that it focuses me a lot more on what's happening. The same goes for fasting from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays. It's recentering.

[SWTXBelle]

One reason I make sure to specify the ROMAN Catholic church when discussing it is because as an Anglican I state that I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic church every Sunday. My denomination can properly be described as Anglo-Catholic, so there you go. Given the influence of the Roman Catholic church throughout the history of Christianity I am surprised more Christians aren't more educated about it. I've met nominal Roman Catholics who weren't as conversant with their church doctrine as I was.

Also, many Christians believe the church is not an institution as much as it is the body of Christ here on earth. The church is the people, not the building.

eta - I was reminded of the scene in "Angela's Ashes" when Frank throws up after his first communion, and there is a debate as to how to clean it up. With holy water??!!