What do you really believe?

I contend that most Catholics in America treat their religion like a good luck charm, a get-out-of-hell-free card if you will. If America's Catholics were sincere about Catholicism, they would follow the direction of the papacy and passionately oppose any one running for any office who favors abortion. McCain would win in a landslide.

Protestants aren't any better. While many mainline denominations have doctrines the consistency of tepid oatmeal, the source book, the Bible, has not changed. If Protestants weren't hedging their bets, they'd get into God's word and see what it says, how it applies to every aspect of their lives, and McCain would win in a landslide.

As Harry Jackson's article a couple of posts ago noted, we are in an era where the Bible has been dismissed. It no longer affects the Christian's life. It's relegated to a couple of readings on Sunday (if church is attended at all). Somewhere in the house you might find a Bible. Where was that thing?

Today, Father Jonathan Morris published an essay at FoxNews discussing "spreading the wealth" and why such economics are abominable (read it here). Most of America seems to think it a grand scheme, but Morris concludes

...we know from history, from very sad periods of history, there is no real justice—no progress and no lasting peace—when its pursuit involves beating down some to lift up others. And we also know, by the dictates of reason and the practice of all ages, that when the government decides it can suspend the natural right to private property, through repossession or redistribution, or whatever they choose to call it, that government is on the wrong side of truth.

I do not agree with Fr. Morris that Obama has been right about many things as he alludes to in his piece. In fact, for him to be the great bridge-builder, I do not know of a single issue where I agree with him nor do I see him building a bridge toward me. (In fact, in Morris' archive at Fox News, he has two posts where he hammers Senator Joe Biden on his abortion position.)

Were our relationship with Almighty God more than a thing to check off our to-do list each week, we would not be facing such a dramatic display of opposites for candidates. The parties would look more similar than disparate. I might even be struggling with which candidate I would cast my vote.

Today, sadly, the choice is very clear.

If Americans followed the