People speak of the power of
 

...the Catholic Church. What power are they referring to? Power to do what? I am not aware of any effective power the church has other than issuing edicts that there followers may or may not abide by. Is this the power that is being sponken about?

Perhaps the power to influence people's beliefs and opinions on various subjects?

If money = power... and Ive heard it does... then they have it by the truckload

The only power any church has is with its political ties. seperation of church and state goes out the window behind closed doors. No greater political motivator than, "the voters will do what "god" tells them to do".

leave the church alone