I've been sitting on this topic for a while, not quite sure how to present it, or how not to offend people. I wasn't sure if I should broach the subject of my breaking away from the Catholic faith but I figured that if I can talk about my boyfriend's scrotum, I can probably talk about religion. (Man, I hope his mom doesn't read this blog...as if I just mentioned his scr-) Anyway, here goes...
The only reason I would go to church today would be so I could sing really loud. I effing love that song, "Here I Am, Lord". No joke. Whoever wrote that song "gets" me. I suddenly have the urge to join a church choir...
Stick to karaoke.
Grade eleven, Holy Trinity, we were taken on a field trip for World Religion class. This class was the reason I got baked in the parking lot before school started. We went to a Hindu temple, a mosque, a synogogue, a Ukrainian Orthodox church, some Catholic place, and a Buddhist temple. Every place was remarkable enough to have left an impression in me. The Hindu temple had the most beautiful artistry and the hosts were so kind. The mosque was quite woman-friendly, and the woman presenter was also very kind. The synogogue was neat, the rabbi was informative, and they fed us. The Ukrainian church was beautiful but the idealism was so strict compared to what we were used to and the priest treated the introduction like a lecture to a bunch of naughty perverted delinquents. The Catholic place...I can't remember what it was called, but the priest who showed us around used to be my parish priest. He was very nice to us, remembered a few of us and gave us a brief history lesson on Constantine. The Buddhist temple was definitely my favourite. The monks were friendly, approachable and gave us little 'fortunes'. I think I actually still have mine somewhere...It said "Beware of evil persons. You will succeed in the end."
I think the aim of that class was to give us open minds while maintaining that ours was the only true religion and all the people we visited minus the Catholic priest were going to hell. In truth, all it did was confuse me. I read up on the idealogy of each religion and it blew me away that they all thought they were the true religion, yet many of them respected Jesus and Catholicism...I felt like we didn't extend that courtesy their way in return. I had never heard the parish priest say "Mohammad was a great teacher" or "Buddha was kick ass" or "Shiva was more than a character on Mortal Kombat 3". It was heathen this and heresy that. It was more of an "Oh you. When will you ever learn that you can only seek salvation through Jesus Christ?"
I guess their plan backfired...I came to my own realization that there was no "true faith". I can't say one religion is better than the other. A friend of mine was regaling a tale of when a Jehovah's Witness came to his father's door. The witness aked, "Sir, can you think of one thing in this world that you don't need?" He replied, "Yep. Organized religion." The witness thanked him for his time and immediately left for the next house.
I sometimes think I'm an atheist and there are times where I catch myself being an agnostic. And then when I'm in times of severe stress, I almost catch myself crossing myself. Old habits die hard. (Not really a habit though...it's not like I'd recite the Hail Mary before jumping into a school yard fight...)
I truly believe that god is such a personal thing, whatever people think and believe. I think it's a very ridiculous thing that the matter of religion has killed so many people. And it's still happening today. Should we consider it an implement of population control? Worship however you see fit, but don't let another person's different views bother you. And don't bother them with your own. It's no one's business but your own, right?
Frig I still have that song stuck in my head...
The only reason I would go to church today would be so I could sing really loud. I effing love that song, "Here I Am, Lord". No joke. Whoever wrote that song "gets" me. I suddenly have the urge to join a church choir...
Stick to karaoke.
Grade eleven, Holy Trinity, we were taken on a field trip for World Religion class. This class was the reason I got baked in the parking lot before school started. We went to a Hindu temple, a mosque, a synogogue, a Ukrainian Orthodox church, some Catholic place, and a Buddhist temple. Every place was remarkable enough to have left an impression in me. The Hindu temple had the most beautiful artistry and the hosts were so kind. The mosque was quite woman-friendly, and the woman presenter was also very kind. The synogogue was neat, the rabbi was informative, and they fed us. The Ukrainian church was beautiful but the idealism was so strict compared to what we were used to and the priest treated the introduction like a lecture to a bunch of naughty perverted delinquents. The Catholic place...I can't remember what it was called, but the priest who showed us around used to be my parish priest. He was very nice to us, remembered a few of us and gave us a brief history lesson on Constantine. The Buddhist temple was definitely my favourite. The monks were friendly, approachable and gave us little 'fortunes'. I think I actually still have mine somewhere...It said "Beware of evil persons. You will succeed in the end."
I think the aim of that class was to give us open minds while maintaining that ours was the only true religion and all the people we visited minus the Catholic priest were going to hell. In truth, all it did was confuse me. I read up on the idealogy of each religion and it blew me away that they all thought they were the true religion, yet many of them respected Jesus and Catholicism...I felt like we didn't extend that courtesy their way in return. I had never heard the parish priest say "Mohammad was a great teacher" or "Buddha was kick ass" or "Shiva was more than a character on Mortal Kombat 3". It was heathen this and heresy that. It was more of an "Oh you. When will you ever learn that you can only seek salvation through Jesus Christ?"
I guess their plan backfired...I came to my own realization that there was no "true faith". I can't say one religion is better than the other. A friend of mine was regaling a tale of when a Jehovah's Witness came to his father's door. The witness aked, "Sir, can you think of one thing in this world that you don't need?" He replied, "Yep. Organized religion." The witness thanked him for his time and immediately left for the next house.
I sometimes think I'm an atheist and there are times where I catch myself being an agnostic. And then when I'm in times of severe stress, I almost catch myself crossing myself. Old habits die hard. (Not really a habit though...it's not like I'd recite the Hail Mary before jumping into a school yard fight...)
I truly believe that god is such a personal thing, whatever people think and believe. I think it's a very ridiculous thing that the matter of religion has killed so many people. And it's still happening today. Should we consider it an implement of population control? Worship however you see fit, but don't let another person's different views bother you. And don't bother them with your own. It's no one's business but your own, right?
Frig I still have that song stuck in my head...
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