Yes, good church discipline is sadly lacking. Excommunication is needed very badly for folks such as these who are blatantly flaunting church morals. I happen to believe that not denying Kerry and Kennedy communion since the advocate violating the 6th commandment is atrocious.
The church should have railed against Terri's ruling since the 6th and 7th commandment, Thou shalt not commit Adultery and Thou shalt not commit Murder, were clearly violated upon one of their members.
Our churches and society is week. Some spine and a boot is needed to get back on track. Where is a leader that can do that?
You have to be very carefull doing that though. You have to avoid the church and membership from becomming Navatians, (heritics) And falling out of grace themselves. Even effort to show the member the error and get him to repent has to be taken, and failing that, yes then they can be excommunicated, but the door has to be left open to come back and repent.