http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
I just came across this viral video that so many are talking about. This poem raises questions which I have yet to settle with my own beliefs. I was raised Roman Catholic by my parents. My father; whom was raised by devout Catholics his whole life, and my mother; whom was raised Methodist until she married my father. Her reasoning for becoming Catholic I am certain, was not an option, and was necessary in order to marry my father. My parents are no longer married, and following the divorce my mother continued to take us kids to Catholic church where most of us finished out the sacraments (leading up to marriage). My mother remarried my now step-father whom was raised in a very religious household (his father a baptist preacher). My stepfather willingly attended Mass with us despite being raised Baptist. My father continued to attend Mass regularly.
Mom(Methodist turned Catholic)
Dad(Devout Catholic)
Step dad (preachers' son)
Siblings & I (Catholic)
When we were younger, we never missed Mass & I recall praying the rosary together as a family on a weekly basis. We always prayed before meals; in fact I remember thinking my food would be poisoned if I didn't pray before eating. We attended Religious Education classes which I completed leading up to College. Junior high is when I became active in the church, volunteering my time and participating in dances, trips, and lock-ins. In high school I was a Catholic camp counselor, I volunteered twice a week and my church mates were my best friends. I had lead many of the prayers as a youth leader at that time.
If you are not Catholic or not familiar with the religion, then it may be hard for you to understand some of what I discuss. I was taught to believe certain things and too often I failed to ask, 'why?' From the moment I was born til the moment I die, religion would have a great part in who I was & am.
Sacraments are one of the major differences in the Catholic church versus a protestant or non-denominational.
1.) Baptism
2.) First communion/Eucharist
3.) Penance- Or confession.
4.) Confirmation
5.) Marriage
6.) Anointing of the Sick
7.) Holy Orders
When conversing with a non-catholic on religious issues I always feel as though I am defending my religion. There is a lot of mis-information out there about Catholics and it is difficult to clear the air because so many non-Catholics are extremely opinionated.
Ultimately the question we must ask ourselves is, 'does religion matter?' This question lingers in my mind on a daily basis...it is something that I struggle to answer. As a catholic, interested in marrying a non-catholic, it is very important for me to determine. What I have concluded from my research and own prayer is this:
God wants us to believe in him and encourage others to do the same.
Religion is simply the way we express our love for God as Christians.
Religion for non Christians...well I believe we all pray to the same God and are too stubborn to recognize that. The bible was written so long ago & by so many different people in many different languages....this isn't a matter of who is right or wrong.
Religion is an interpretation of what we want to have faith in. It is the way we like to learn...a 'method' if you will.
Without religion, you lose structure and direction. Religion keeps us reminded of God's love and sacrifice for us. As for Catholics, this is what our sacraments are; a reminder, a practice.
People are sinners and hypocrites alike. We all make mistakes, say things we don't mean, and hurt each other; that is not the fault of religion, rather a misguided group of people...or simply human error.
It is unfair to blame religion for wars...for the government blends too closely with these notions.
Cathedrals are immaculate and ornate but non-denominational churches with rock bands and flat screen televisions were not cheap to build either. It is by the gifts of God that we are able to build such wonderful sanctuaries. These churches will withstand the test of time and continue to give to the hungry, the needy, the poor, the widowed, and divorced.
Religion is like a team of sorts. Each team practices differently, has a different coach, a different tactic, but ultimately all of the teams share the same goal...and that is to win, or in religions case; to make it to heaven.
What do you think?
