God sucks!

[me]

Ah yes, the Kennedy's...A fine example of the Democratic religious hypocrites.

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Roman Catholic bishop of Rhode Island said Sunday that he asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy in a 2007 letter to stop receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, because of the congressman's public stance on moral issues.

Bishop Thomas Tobin divulged details of his confidential exchange with Kennedy after the Democratic lawmaker told The Providence Journal in a story published Sunday that Tobin had instructed him not to receive Communion. The two men have clashed repeatedly in the past few weeks over abortion.

Kennedy did not say where or how he received those instructions. He declined to say whether he has obeyed the bishop's request.

"The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion," Kennedy told the paper in an interview conducted Friday.

Kennedy said the bishop had explained the penalty by telling him "that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion.

Tobin said in a statement Sunday that he "has never addressed matters relative to public officials receiving Holy Communion with pastors of the diocese."

The outspoken prelate and Kennedy, a son of the nation's most famous Roman Catholic family, have feuded since Kennedy in an interview last month criticized Roman Catholic church leaders for threatening to oppose an overhaul of the nation's health care system unless it included tighter restrictions on abortion.

Kennedy voted against an amendment tightening abortion restrictions that was sought by the bishops. But he voted in favor of a health care plan that included the amendment he opposed.
Tobin urged Kennedy not to receive communion in a February 2007 letter, a portion of which was released publicly by Tobin's office Sunday.

"In light of the Church's clear teaching, and your consistent actions, therefore, I believe it is inappropriate for you to be receiving Holy Communion and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so," Tobin wrote.

It was not immediately clear whether Tobin and Kennedy spoke further about the request. Kennedy spokeswoman Kerrie Bennett did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the letter.

Tobin, the spiritual leader of Roman Catholics in Rhode Island, the nation's most heavily Catholic state, demanded an apology from Kennedy after the congressman criticized church leaders who opposed universal health care unless the plans included more restrictions on abortions. He also requested a meeting with Kennedy.

"While I greatly respect the Catholic Church and its leaders, like many Rhode Islanders, the fact that I disagree with the hierarchy of the church on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic," Kennedy wrote in a letter to Tobin, agreeing to a sitdown. "I embrace my faith which acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity."

Their meeting fell apart. While Tobin called it a mutual decision, Kennedy accused Tobin of
failing to abide by an agreement to stop discussing the congressman's faith publicly.

Tobin followed up with a biting public letter published in a diocesan newspaper.

"Sorry, you can't chalk it up to an 'imperfect humanity.' Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your Communion with the Church," Tobin wrote.

Susan Gibbs, a spokeswoman for Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl said officials with the archdiocese didn't know whether Kennedy attends Mass in the nation's capital. Anyone who does not believe in core Catholic teachings would be asked not to come forward for Communion, she said. Church leaders continue teaching and counseling those individuals, Gibbs said.

As for Kennedy, Gibbs said "we have not barred anyone from receiving Communion.
"We don't know of his worship habits," she said. "Most legislators return home on the weekends."

Link

[Locutus]

You're missing the point.  Religion is about power and controlling people.  It is today, and always has been.   

In the words of Jesse Ventura:

"Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business."

He pretty much hits the nail on the head right there. 

[me]

You're missing the point.  Religion is about power and controlling people.  It is today, and always has been.   

In the words of Jesse Ventura:

"Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business."

He pretty much hits the nail on the head right there. 

I know what you were saying I just couldn't miss a chance for a dig there ya know.  The Dems have their share of religious hypocrites too but still get a free pass.  The Kennedy's are all a bunch of slime balls and that will never change.

[Palehorse]

Religious hypocrites run across the boards; all races, all creeds, all sexes, all political parties, and all religions.

[Palehorse]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/22/kennedy.abortion/index.html

Rhode Island's top Roman Catholic leader has asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy to stop taking Communion over his support for abortion rights, the diocese said Sunday.
In a statement issued Sunday, Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin said he told Kennedy in February 2007 that it would be "inappropriate" for him to continue receiving the fundamental Catholic sacrament, "and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so.". . .

Now tell me exactly how this isn't religion influencing politics???? How is this not religion trying to force everyone else to do as they say? 

Same crap, different century. . .

[me]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/22/kennedy.abortion/index.html
Now tell me exactly how this isn't religion influencing politics???? How is this not religion trying to force everyone else to do as they say? 

Same crap, different century. . .

But they would be doing the same if he weren't in politics and therefore it isn't being done just for that reason.  I've known the Catholic church to excommunicate people for less.   

[Locutus]

....., and all religions.

Bingo!

[Palehorse]

But they would be doing the same if he weren't in politics and therefore it isn't being done just for that reason.  I've known the Catholic church to excommunicate people for less.

It is still forcing people to do as they say or "risk eternal damnation". Adversarial spiritual leadership!

[me]

It is still forcing people to do as they say or "risk eternal damnation". Adversarial spiritual leadership!

True, but politics is not the only motive in this case. 

[Palehorse]

True, but politics is not the only motive in this case.

Never said it was. . . but it is still a "select few" trying to control the masses.

[Locutus]

Never said it was. . . but it is still a "select few" trying to control the masses.

And they're continuing to do a fine job at it. 

[Palehorse]

Their refusing to allow Kennedy to participate in a religious right based upon his politics; ergo they are attempting to influence his political power and decision making toward a path of the religion's choosing, and away from that of the majority or the individual.

Religion  Politics. They are to be kept separate!

[Palehorse]

. . .  I've known the Catholic church to excommunicate people for less.

Its the power thing pure and simple. In the dark ages folks believed it signaled eternal damnation to have such imposed upon them. Ol Henry VIII just started his own church when they tried that move on him. . . Wonder how such an action would be received in this day and age? 

[me]

Their refusing to allow Kennedy to participate in a religious right based upon his politics; ergo they are attempting to influence his political power and decision making toward a path of the religion's choosing, and away from that of the majority or the individual.

Religion  Politics. They are to be kept separate!

That is almost an impossibility since most politicians go to church whether they believe or are just using it for political gain.  Oops, did I say that?   

[Exterminator]

Ah yes, the Kennedy's...A fine example of the Democratic religious hypocrites.

Do you simply not know what the word hypocrite means?