David N. Bass, July 12, 2004

John Kerry and John Edwards were dished another setback last month in their quest to appear as men of deep abiding Faith. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who serves as the Pope’s doctrinal adviser, sent a memo to the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s conference asking priests to warn pro-abortion politicians that, unless they change their position, they are ineligible to receive Communion. Although the memo never specifically mentioned John Kerry, many portions could have easily been written directly to the Massachusetts Senator.

Maintaining a moral, church-going image is a growing challenge for the two Johns. In fact, it’s long been an issue for the entire Democratic Party. How can they appeal to down-to-earth Christian Americans in a way that looks genuine? It’s not easy, especially when you’re talking about two of the most liberal members of the United States Senate.

How do they intend to pull it off? Simple: Lots of photo ops in front of church buildings, lots of talk about their deep abiding faith (although not too much), and lots of partaking in Communion. That last part is perhaps the most important. Why? Because the Lord’s Supper is the one ritual every Christian is supposed to participate in. Many consider it a litmus test for true Christianity. Obviously, Kerry and Edwards are going to have to take Communion if they intend to appeal to the Faithful in America.

That’s all fine and dandy, except for one little problem: The Catholic Church disdains John Kerry’s fanatically pro-abortion voting record. That brings up the possibility of no Communion for Kerry, something he simply can’t afford. But low and behold, here comes John Edwards, the good ol’ boy from North Carolina, with the answer to Kerry’s Communion woes. . . if only his Methodist church allows it.

Unfortunately, it just did.

According to news reports, John Edwards attended Edenton Street United Methodist about a week ago during his first official campaign visit to North Carolina. I found the thought frankly sickening. Here is a man who voted against both the Partial-birth Abortion Ban and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, a man who favors same-sex marriage if the states decide to legalize it, sitting in a mainstream Protestant church? And coincidentally, he just happened to attend church the same day they’re serving Communion. Quite the righteous photo op!

John Kerry’s church may not allow him to take Communion, but John Edwards’ church willingly allowed itself to be used like a filthy dishrag to wash his public image. We would do well to remember the instructions of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11:27-28: "Therefore whoever eats of this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup."

Among other things, Communion should be a time to reflect on sins in your life and commit to work better to overcome them. Last time I checked, John Edwards showed no inclination to shift his views towards Biblical truth. Could we start with "Thou shalt not murder"?

It’s encouraging to see the line many Catholic churches have drawn when it comes to pro-abortion candidates. Now it’s time for Protestant churches to follow suit.

Copyright © 2004 by David N. Bass