Changes

::Your reference to “2000 years of the opposite view” is confusing, as are the mentions of “pressure…by liberals” and the authorship of the Encyclical.  You not only fail to develop the points but it is difficult to see how they are relevant to the issue at hand.  A cynic might accuse you of “arguing” by quietly alluding to statements that could not be sustained if expressed openly.  The idea that an Encyclical authored by Cardinal Ratzinger, under the instructions of Pope John Paul II, was a diversion from Church teaching to appease liberals is….well this is a family friendly site.[[User:DGosling|DGosling]] 07:47, 27 May 2009 (EDT)

::Your reference to “2000 years of the opposite view” is confusing, as are the mentions of “pressure…by liberals” and the authorship of the Encyclical.  You not only fail to develop the points but it is difficult to see how they are relevant to the issue at hand.  A cynic might accuse you of “arguing” by quietly alluding to statements that could not be sustained if expressed openly.  The idea that an Encyclical authored by Cardinal Ratzinger, under the instructions of Pope John Paul II, was a diversion from Church teaching to appease liberals is….well this is a family friendly site.[[User:DGosling|DGosling]] 07:47, 27 May 2009 (EDT)

:::Encyclicals are explanations based on logic, and typically do not claim to be specially revealed truth.  Encyclicals are often not infallible, although obviously they are often undeniably truth.  Encyclicals cannot detract from infallible or longstanding truths.   

:::Encyclicals are explanations based on logic, and typically do not claim to be specially revealed truth.  Encyclicals are considered to be infallible, although obviously they are often undeniably true.  But encyclicals cannot detract from infallible or longstanding truths.   

:::In this case, the Church has endorsed the death penalty for nearly 2000 years, and not simply to prevent recurrence of a crime.  Heretics were cremated for reasons having to do with the nature of their evil, for example, just as the death penalty today applies to deal with particularly heinous evil.  The cited phrase from an encyclical does not address this, and should not be read to detract from this long-accepted Church doctrine.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 11:29, 27 May 2009 (EDT)

:::In this case, the Church has endorsed the death penalty for nearly 2000 years, and not simply to prevent recurrence of a crime.  Heretics were cremated for reasons having to do with the nature of their evil, for example, just as the death penalty today applies to deal with particularly heinous evil.  The cited phrase from an encyclical does not address this, and should not be read to detract from this long-accepted Church doctrine.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 11:29, 27 May 2009 (EDT

==Lincoln a Conservative?==

==Lincoln a Conservative?==