Religion and Politics

Religion and politics. Always a toxic mix. It happened when New York Governor Al Smith ran for President in 1928. When John Kennedy ran for President in 1960 many people launched the canard that he would take orders from the Vatican. He counterattacked and said that he would not take orders from religious officials and that he would abide by the separation of church and state.

It seems that some people on the political side are getting it right, but some religious powers might need a lesson in how we do things in this democracy. take a look at this.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict, underscoring the Vatican's ruling on an issue that divides Americans, told U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday that Catholic politicians and legislators cannot back abortion rights.

Pelosi, a powerful U.S. politician who is Catholic and pro-choice, has been accused by U.S. bishops in the past of misrepresenting Church teachings on abortion.

"His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural and moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death ..." a Vatican statement said.