Popes and politicians

From Reuters: Pope warns Catholic politicians who back abortion

"Pope Benedict on Wednesday warned Catholic politicians they risked excommunication from the Church and should not receive communion if they support abortion.

"Under Church law, someone who knowingly does or backs something which the Church considers a grave sin, such as abortion, inflicts what is known as 'automatic excommunication' on themselves."

I know we're going to hear cries from the left, and maybe even some on the right, saying that the Pope is trying to tell people how to run their countries. He's not. He's simply telling us how he's going to run his church.

I have lots of differences with the Roman Catholic Church, but I very much appreciate the way they attempt to maintain discipline within their members. You can believe whatever you want, and you can do whatever you want, but if you want to call yourself a Roman Catholic, you'll need to follow these rules. I wish evangelicals were more like that.

Quite simply, if your belief system doesn't shape the way you live, you don't really believe it.