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"If somebody leaves his wife and kids, marries another - and says "I'm sorry" -- but doesn't return to his wife and kids, it's not clear that his "sorrow" is genuine, or that God forgives. IF you steal a television set, and say I'm sorry, but keep the stolen TV - are you forgiven? "

Only God knows the answer to your question--did not Jesus say as he was dying, Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing? To forgive them, did God have to not allow Jesus to die? Come on, forgiveness is Gods not yours. But our duty is to be sure we, not our neighbors, carry out the Lord's way, and if we are to stop the needless killing of innocents, bring conservative judges to the bench, it is up to us to do that which is right to God--not right to you, to satisfy your forgiveness.

Only God knows the answer to your question

So you're saying that a thief who says he's sorry but refuses to give back the stolen TV is forgiven? I don't think GOD's that much of a sucker to believe that such a "sorry" is genuine.

You focus so exclusively on forgiveness, regardless of the offense, and without consequences for the offense, then I have to wonder why you're so upset about abortion? Are you saying God can't forgive in that context? I don't think that's what you're saying. However, you ARE saying that, even though there might be forgiveness after an abortion, we still ought to discourage - or even outlaw - abortion. I would say the same thing about men abandoning their families: Forgivenes is surely available, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to deter it by establishing consequences (for me, the consequence would be a vote AGAINST the lout)