I was a Democrat first and a Christian later. I finally became Catholic a few years back because it encompassed so much of what I believe and still do. But I do not agree with everything the US Catholic Bishops have taught. Some of it I think is a little contradictory. Like... preserve life yet condone "justifiable" war. The importance of reconsilliation...but you need to do it atleast "once a year". They send mixed messages. Like the poster above many Catholics like to think themselves Republicans...But the Republican party is and has been anything but compassionate to the poor, good stewards of Gods land, working for fair work environments and fair wages for the worker...Their attitude have always been for those that have not the have nots. Abortion..totally against it BUT..I do believe their should be some leave way for extreme medical situations. We had a wonderful mother of six in out church who had to have abortion because the pregnancy was killing her. The child didn't have a brain and could not live outside the womb. It had no brain to function a heart or lungs. She was in the hospital for the better part of a month. The people in our church treated her less than they treat the criminials in our maximum security prison they visit. Some have compassion for them yet no one would stand up for this family. Her family had to go to another church it was so shameful. We must use compassion and common sense in our faith not just what we are told to think. I like to remember that Jesus never created an army or military action, he or his apostles never even carried protection for themselves. He had compassion and humility and common sense that we today seem to have given up on trying to achieve. We must make ourselves more like Christ and follow his standard. Father Luke Fahr wrote something similiar in one of his books...War was never created by God, no violence or bad thing can come from him...it is only mans interpretation of Gods will that create these problems.