CNB Religious Update - 10/12/04

CNB's crack investigative staff provides this helpful summary of what's what in the world of religion. Today's focus: Christianity in America.

• Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver said that a vote for a candidate like John Kerry, because of his views on abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research, would require a trip to confession. Many Catholics disagree with this viewpoint, arguing that voting solely on abortion slights Catholic teaching on a range of other issues, including war, poverty, the death penalty, the environment, and immigration (not to mention the Church's spotty record on child protection).


• The U.S. Supreme Court said today that it will take up the constitutionality of Ten Commandments displays on government land and buildings, with the review of cases specifically involving displays in Kentucky and Texas. A 1980 Supreme Court decision banned the posting of copies of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. However, in the meantime, lower federal courts have reached differing opinions that allowed public displays in some instances but not in others. Folks on both sides of this issue are sure to get vocal about this (pro -- con). An interesting take on this divisive issue can be found here, where it is noted that Jesus chose the top six commandments (found at Matthew 19:17-19, with parallel telling at Mark 10:17-23, and also at Luke 18:18-23) upon which to focus if a person wanted to "inherit eternal life".