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sitetest & sinkspur,

I've been following both of your reasoned arguments and points and I won't make any comment on Catholic doctrine (I am a former Catholic), but instead I like to take it one more step up the chain, so to speak, and not worry about formal vs. informal, automatic vs. official excommunication vs., etc. I want to know what God says about these kinds of things, and while I was reading this a verse came to mind that I would like to share.

James, chapter 4, verse 17 says, "Therefore to him who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin."

I think that this speaks to Catholics and Protestants alike in that God says we sin not doing the good we know we ought to do (I think the nuns who taught me in grade school would call that a "sin of omission"). Sen. Kerry says he is personally against abortion, yet he refuses to take action that he as a Senator has the power to take to do anything against it. That alone should be enough for those (Catholic or otherwise) to make a decision on where he stands, not only on this issue of abortion, but morally in general.

I think that this speaks to Catholics and Protestants alike in that God says we sin not doing the good we know we ought to do (I think the nuns who taught me in grade school would call that a "sin of omission").

COrrect.

And, FYI, this is the "morality which cannot be legislated," in case anyone tries to tell you that laws against (e.g., homosexual activity) are invalid because "you can't legislate morality."

I think that this speaks to Catholics and Protestants alike in that God says we sin not doing the good we know we ought to do (I think the nuns who taught me in grade school would call that a "sin of omission").

Correct.

And, FYI, this is the "morality which cannot be legislated," in case anyone tries to tell you that laws against (e.g., homosexual activity) are invalid because "you can't legislate morality."

Their take on the old saying is erroneous, but quite convenient. Few recall the actual meaning...