# Catholic politicians get strict orders from pope

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-politicians-get-strict-orders-from-pope/395822>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [March 14, 2007, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-politicians-get-strict-orders-from-pope/395822 "2007-03-14T00:13:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 59

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**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-politicians-get-strict-orders-from-pope/395822/59 "2007-03-16T16:28:38Z")

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[QUOTE=Stratocaster]  
I see it differently. The RCC has every right and duty to provide guidance as to what is expected of a practicing Catholic. Abortion positions are the most obvious example.

[/QUOTE]

A practicing Catholic as an individual, yes. A practicing Catholic as a representative of all the people, no, or at least not if the Church wants to operate in a pluralistic society. If the Church believes that their moral doctrines should be enacted, what is their defense if a Moslem representative wants to ban the use of alcohol everywhere, including during Communion?

I agree with you somewhat on what the politician should do, but I also think the church should back off. Actually Kerry’s position on abortion - I’m personally against it, but I’m not going to impose my religious beliefs on others - is exactly right.

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