Politics and religion don't often mix and most especially if you are a Catholic. How can anyone in either the House or Senate be true to their entire constituency if one is expected to "keep faith" with their religion? Politics are based on many thoughts, ideas, ideals and laws and most go against the teachings of Catholicism. I don't believe you can be true to the people in your state and be true to your religion at the same time.

Abortion, stem cell research, divorce and several more "sins" are not seen as such in secular America. It looks as though the Pope chose his words very carefully when drafting his statement but the gist is apparent nonetheless.

No...just no. Please keep your religion out of our government.

The guy even says that following the church's teachings would be for the common good. If he's talking about the do not kill, and be kind to your neighbor stuff, then fine, by all means. Something tells me though that he is more concerned about other issues like abortion and gay marriage.

I go to a Catholic church and during this past election cycle the priest would say something about voting pro-life every week. This is manipulation pure and simple. In a democracy people need to be allowed to vote based on their own rational judgment. By telling you who to vote for church's want you not to think.

If we live in a land where we have freedom of and from religion, politicians should keep their religious views out of the government. We live in a land of many different beliefs and one persons beliefs no more important than any others. I can police my own morals thank you and do not need any politician (religious or otherwise) to decide my morals for me.

Please read my comment knowing that I am a Catholic...

I don't see how the Catholics pushing their religious beliefs onto others through government is any different than when radicals do the same thing and want to run their government with their religious ideas ruling laws and behavior, for example not letting women show any skin. We (as Westerners) see this as a very wrong way to rule a country, yet we find it ok when a Western religion with Western ideals does it. It just does not seem right to me... The only person I can keep the faith for is myself!

I must say that I am rather sick of my fellow Catholics at the moment. But I also must say that there is a right wing within the church.

I asked my priest why the abortion litmus? He told me this - Imagine we were allowed to terminate a child up to a year of age. Nearly all people would be firmly against this inhumane practice. There comes a smart candidate running for office that is probably best for most needs of the country. But, he is for allowing the termination of one year olds. In this case, this candidate would not be elected, as the majority see the horror of this practice. We Catholics feel the same way about the unborn.

I see his point. I can also see many other points too and so I do as the Pope suggests and work passionately for the common good.

meh, from what i've read, it's not like he wants a theocracy, he even said "work for the common good". it's not like he wants people to ban gay marriage just cause "God said so", he just wants Catholics who are politicians to not forgot their true beliefs. really, quite inspirational. I wish more people weren't afraid of admitting that they're a certain religion just cause they're in politics.