Gourmet Cannibalism

Day 04 - Your views on religion

Funny, I was just talking about this a little bit. I believe that religion is a beautiful thing when not taken too far. It can be a rock, a reason for living, a way to cope, a way to connect. Sometimes a lot of that gets lost in translation.

I'm a born and raised Catholic who plays a little loose with the rules. I don't believe every word that the Pope hands down, especially since I disagree with the Church on several social points (e.g., gay rights). I take what I need from religion and try not to let the rest bother me.

Since we lost my grandmother this past summer, I've really seen what religion can do for people. My nana said, in the midst of fighting a losing battle with cancer, "I am at peace." It has helped my family cope, believing her to be in Heaven. It has given a support group for my grandfather - it's one way they met people after moving. If religion can do that for people, can it really be so bad?

I really like Catholocism. The word means "universal," and it is very cool to feel connected with Catholics all over the world through the Eucharist. I can walk into any Catholic Mass anywhere in the world and be able to follow along. My confirmation sponsor went to Italy and attended a Mass celebrated by the Pope, and she told me that it was very cool to hear the Mass in Latin and all the responses in different languages from all over the world. The idea of transubstantiation is very cool in that communion takes on a higher meaning than just a symbol. I was told when leaving a camp once not to say goodbye but rather "I'll see you in the Eucharist." Catholics all over the world are connected by this Sacrament.

Now, Catholics get a lot of flak from a lot of people. First off: the Crusades were a bad idea. Indulgences were bad. Bishops lining their pockets from the collection plate was wrong. That doesn't happen anymore. And I'd really like it if people stopped connecting Catholics with molesting little boys. Groups should not be measured by their lowest members, or else humanity as a whole is screwed.

One more point of clarification: We do not worship Mary. We venerate her and other people who have led lives of supreme example, we call them saints and we call on them to pray on our behalf. It's much the same as asking your friends to pray for you or someone else. The saints give us an example of how to lead a life in faith.

I haven't studied a lot of other religions in depth, but it seems to me that everybody's got it a little bit right. To me, it boils down to God is Love. From that you derive a rock, for God will always love you, a reason to love your neighbor as yourself, and a reason to believe in an afterlife and an immortal soul. Whatever religion gives you those comforts (or whatever you need), go for it. Don't want a religion? I don't mind. I'm not going to try to push mine on you.

Particularly in matters of religion, I just wish we could all get along. Particularly for Christians, I don't understand why we would fight over it, what with the Ten Commandments and love your neighbor and all. A little live and let live to temper religious arguments would be nice to see, and I think would bring us closer to the idea of the Kingdom of God on earth that Christians are striving to achieve. We just need to realize that everybody doesn't need to agree with one particular dogma. If we can learn from our differences instead of persecute each other, we will all become stronger for it.