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Thu 21 Apr, 2005 09:05 am
Quote:
Pope May Color Debate in U.S. Over 'Life' Issues Like Abortion
By ROBIN TONER
Published: April 21, 2005
WASHINGTON, April 20 - The election of an unstintingly conservative pope could inject a powerful new force into the intense conflicts in American politics over abortion and other social issues, which put many Catholic elected officials at odds with their church.
Pope Benedict XVI ascends to power at a tumultuous time for his church in American politics: Catholic voters, long overwhelmingly Democratic, have become a critical swing vote. Republicans have become increasingly successful at winning the support of more traditional Catholics by appealing to what President Bush calls the "culture of life" issues, including abortion, euthanasia and research on embryonic stem cells. Mr. Bush carried 56 percent of the white Catholic vote in 2004, up from 51 percent in 2000 - a formidable part of his conservative coalition.
At the same time, some American bishops have become more assertive in urging their congregations to vote in accord with Catholic teachings on those issues - and in moving to chastise Catholic officials who disagree, in a few cases by threatening to deny them Communion. The bishops acted with the support and encouragement of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the new pope, who at the time headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/21/international/worldspecial2/21church.html?th&emc=th
If the Catholic church has as part of their mission decided to enter into politics. Isn't it time they be stripped of their tax exemptions. I do not want my tax dollars supporting their political ambitions. Particularly when their aim is to destroy the concept of separation of Church and state.
Oooh, are you ever gonna get it from the biblethumpers, au!
Don't I know it.
Lets hear what they have to say about the religious blackmail the Church is using against politicians. When voting for a Catholic candidate one would always wonder is he loyal to the principles of the US and it's people or to the dictates of the Catholic Church.
The church building, the minister's (priest, rabbi) salary should be exempt and the church endowment up to a certain amount. But beyond that all income and property should be taxed if it is not all ready.
Personally, I don't understand why ANY religion is exempt from taxes, especially if they have a political agenda. After all, like any other business, they are SELLING something!
I think it would depend solely on whether the term "non-profit" applied to them, compared to other organizations that are deemed non-profit.
Brandon9000
Nonprofit or not. If you have a political agenda you should not be tax exempt. And particularly when as the catholic Church does, practices religious blackmail.
Quote:If the Catholic church has as part of their mission decided to enter into politics.
Heh, this has ALWAYS been their mission, don't you know that, Au?
Cycloptichorn
If that is the case then we should also remove tax exampt status from other groups as well. Going from your stand point anyone with a political agenda should be taxed.
More ROMAN CATHOLIC bashing by the left as expected.
EVERY RELIGION has a political agenda as you all know. Yet you just pick on the RC's since their conservative positions oppose your positions.
Not me, I say tax all churches.
How many employ religious blackmail to influence the political system.
God gave people free will. The Catholic Church seeks to take it away.
Well, well, I'm sure we all have issues with the leaders of one religion or another (recalling a past conversation with Au, heh)...
But I will say that no churches should be tax-exempt at all. I can see the reasoning behind this, but the effects it has lead to are simply unbelievable.
Cycloptichorn
See, Au? Whaddeye tellya?
I vote for leave things as they are.
Religious groups have a special place in our society. They give many citizens a sense fulfillment and purpose. They are responsible for the civil rights movement, the end of child labor, the end of slavery, the institution of public hospitals and anti-war movements since the Revolution.
The political thing is a red herring. As long as one religion is not favored over another, they sould remain tax exempt.
ebrown_p
Would you vote for a devout Catholic if you did not agree with the Church's stand on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research and etc. I know I would not.
Whether she is a devout Catholic or not is irrelevent to whether she would have my vote or not.
And besides, I agree with the Catholic church's stands on capital punishment, duty to help the poor and the opposition to the Iraq war.
So what?
au1929 wrote:ebrown_p
Would you vote for a devout Catholic if you did not agree with the Church's stand on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research and etc. I know I would not.
It doesn't matter to me what religion they are, it is all about the position. Not being a Christian I'm not limited on who I can vote for, while I am more leaning toward a Christian canidate because their views more conenside with mine.
In the interests of full disclosure, I will now make a confession. The first time I was old enough to vote in a presidential election, the candidates were John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. I voted for JFK. One of my main reasons for voting that way was because Kennedy was a Catholic. I am not, nor have I ever been, a Catholic. But at the time I thought it important that the presidential monopoly be taken away from the Protestants where it had been for the past 200 years (or, close enough, at the time). I also voted for John Kerry, but this time my reasons were different. I would've voted for Al Sharpton, just keep Bush out of the White House. So, to answer your question, Au1929, yes, I'd vote for a Catholic again. I vote for the man or woman, regardless of race, religion, ethnic affiliation or sexual orientation.
But that's not the same thing as considering whether the Church should continue to enjoy tax exempt status, is it?
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