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I've done a lot of wrong. I'm still working on becoming a better person, and I may not ever be completely happy with how morally good I am

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Isn't it this kind of guilt what it takes to be a REAL Catholic? Or just Jewish...either one...OY! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]...just kidding RW0105...

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- Just to dispel a quick myth - the Holy Mother is not the center of the Church. The Holy Trinity is. The Mother of God is just looked at in espeically HIGH regard. She is not of "God" status, but she's seen as an example of how good Christians should act and serve

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I don't think that, but what I guess I meant was that she is looked up to and prayed to as a religious figure--not a God--but a religious figure, like any of the saints. She's a central figure in the faith just like the Holy Trinity, but just below that God status you mentioned.

To be honest, I think for the most part I agree with your argument. I have those same problems...socially, I think abortion is a choice. Religiously, I think it is an abomination. Socially, I think church and state should be kept separate. Religiously, I feel that we need to have people who have a personal relationship with God in office to make the right decisions, not just totally based on their faith alone, but by the knowledge that God has blessed them with. That may be where the rift lies...some of the religious figures that dabble in government policy are basing their beliefs totally on the letter of the word, and not leaning on the understanding of the world today that's granted to them by a relationship with God. Some people thump the Bible until they're red in the face, but lose sight of the fact that God lives and we can have a relationship with him and he will guide us through prayer and through studying the word...not all answers come from the Bible--it is merely a guide by which for us to worship &amp; relate to God and Jesus Christ. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but I think it's a focal point to help us see things that God wants us to see and have knowledge of.