[Alex Murphy]

The article prejudices the reader, at the very beginning by telling us that "Edilia Gonzales attends Mass every Sunday....She believes that life is sacred, including the life of a child still developing in the womb. And she believes that undocumented immigrants who've made their way to the United States should be treated humanely and with dignity." It prejudices the reader because statistically speaking, being a weekly Mass attending Catholic should put her in the "more conservative" column i.e. voting Republican, not Democrat.

But on the last page of the article we learn "She participates in Mass — but doesn't receive communion because, her politics, according to the church, make her a sinner. And until she "repents," she isn't suppose to partake in that Catholic ritual." The article doesn't say whether she's being denied the Eucharist, or merely staying away from it herself. Either way, I have to wonder if "weekly Mass attending" counts towards conservative leanings if the attendee doesn't receive communion.

[johngrace]

I would say that the ones who attend are 30 or 20 percent? at certain churches for Obama(IMHO). Most are not. The polls are asking people who are born Catholic mostly who then declare "catholic'.

Down here in north suburbs of Georgia I go to several churches. They are mostly very conservative. The one in this town Woodstock because of prayer vigils in front of abortion center, closed it down last year. Also the bishops letter against Obama Care was read at all churches in June and July.

From my experience the most hardcore conservatives are the ones who I usually pray prayers in chapel Holy hour or before or after mass. I never met a devout prayer who was not conservative.

I hope this can give you an accurate view.