Day 04

Day 04 - Your thoughts on religion.

Since we're getting personal with each other here, you should know that I was raised as a Catholic. I was baptized as a baby, completed my communion during my adolescence, and then got confirmed when I was in high school. Up until my confirmation, I was involved in the church and all it had to offer. On Sundays, I went to mass, and throughout the week I'd attend various youth group nights and activities. But, none of it was truly for me or because I wanted to walk in the footsteps of God. It was for my family, most of whom are devoted Catholics themselves. Both my mother and my grandmother were very influential in my young, religious life, so every step I took in the church was prompted by them. Confirmation is a choice, and I chose it after a lot of arguing.

I went through all the procedures as gracefully as I could, but in high school, I learned that I didn't want to place myself under any denomination. I'm not going to worship because I felt forced to, and I'm not going to devote myself and live by a word that I don't fully believe in or agree with. Now, this doesn't go to say that I chastise any religion and think it's horrible. In fact, I feel the complete opposite. Just because I don't align myself with a particular set of beliefs, doesn't mean that I don't respect someone else's.

If my friends ask me to come to church with them, I'm going to be there to support them. If someone I'm riding in the car with wants to listen to The Fish, I'm down for that. I've gained a lot of wisdom from Buddhism and Hinduism.

Religion should promote and bring out the best in people. It shouldn't prompt us to harbor darkness or hate in our hearts toward anyone or anything. Religion shouldn't make you better than anyone, it should make you a better human being.