Fiendin'

Your views on religion.

I was born and raised as Roman Catholic. My parents are devoutly religious, especially my mother. I am continuously questioning my faith, and it is sorely tested everyday. I consider myself a logical person and I don’t understand how we are humans with free will yet our lives are pre-determined by God? It just doesn’t add up. I also don’t believe that women should take a backseat to men in the realm of religion (or any realm, really). Men and women need each other to co-exist, it’s a biological fact. So, why can’t women be priests? Why can’t women make their own reproductive decisions? Basically, what I’m trying to say, is that many of Catholicism’s (and many other religions) ideologies and frameworks are extremely outdated. 

However, I do believe in the hope, spirituality, and healing that religion brings. Religion help people feel like they belong to a group, thus solidifying their current identity. The hope of religion is a much better feeling than complete and utter despair. Like science, we use religion to explain and control our environment. Religion will be around as long as humans are around, and I embrace this fact. Am I a religious person? Not really. I do believe in a God, a higher being. I believe in the balance of good and evil, and that good things do happen to bad people and vice versa. I believe in karma, what goes around comes around. I believe in achieving inner spirituality through your everyday actions, not by how many Our Fathers and Hail Marys you pray. 

I respect everyone’s religious ideals. However, I get extremely irritated when people try to tell me the “right way” to pray, love, eat, and live my life. As if one religion held the answer. What do I say to those who try to force their religion onto me? 

“I’m happy that you have found a spiritual path that you have been able to thrive in. Please respect mines. Have a great day.”