Church verses State

This past week the Catholic Bishops of the United States let the US Senate know that they did not want abortion operations included as a procedure covered by the Health Care Bill. Evidently the bishops have enough influence that the Senate followed their request.

Earlier, the bishops had let Speaker of the House Pelosi, a "good" Catholic Italian girl know their thoughts on abortion. Congress's version of the bill does not cover the cost of abortions.

Being a "good" Catholic myself, I find it fascinating to see the influence the bishops have over our political leaders. We have heard of the "MORAL MAJORITY" for years, and this is usually linked with conservative/fundamentalist Protestant denominations. However, this vote shows just how much "quiet" influence the Catholic bishops have in this county. Evidently, more Catholics than one thinks vote according to the "suggestions" of their religious leaders.

Which raises interesting questions. If this country practices the concept of separation of Church and State, why do the religious groups have so much power?

The truth is that the ideal of separation is simply that, an ideal. The majority of people in this country, whether they admit it openly or not, are guided to some degree by the teachings and directives of their religious leaders.

In general that is for the good, but there are times when religious leaders are locked into mentalities of the pass and are not willing to adjust to changing thoughts and concepts.

I find it sad (although not surprising) that our political leaders once again putting their political futures above what is best for the people.

We need to let the Capital Hill gang know that they work for us and not the religious leaders of the country. What is best for the people is not what is always best for the people.

Its Common Sense!