[Mark in the Old South]

Re: "Not to mention the Catholic Church's stand against the death penalty which is TOTALLY against the Bible."

This is incorrect. I am glad you brought it up because I can see where you got the notion. Pope John Paul II was against it but it is not a dogma or doctrine of the Church. He was the church leader but his every utterance is not the teachings of the Church. Even Catholics get this wrong. For it to be an infallible teaching it would have to be something the Church has ALWAYS taught, going all the way back to the Apostles. If it does not have this pedigree it is a personal interpretation and is not an obligation upon the faithful to agree. NOT one Catholic in the entire world is required to follow him on this notion. Now contrast that with his teaching about Abortion. Abortion is a great crime, the church has always taught that therefore it is an obligation upon the faithful and not even one Catholic is permitted to differ. If they do so they are out of the Faith, no action required.

Notice the difference?

[aspiring.hillbilly]

The difference you describe is hair splitting and equivocating, they are trying to have it both ways so as to offend nobody. This is not the spiritual way to present bedrock beliefs. Contrast this to how the Bible sanctions the death penalty in many passages and without apology or ambiguity; i.e. ..stoned to death. A wavering belief in the hereafter and judgment day is foundation of the anti-death penalty zealots, because they see death as a finality.

Notice the difference?

[Salvation]

Excellent answer, thank you.