It is Sunday so it seems like a good day to delve into that ‘Piece of My Mind’ that holds my beliefs on religion.
I was raised in the Catholic Church. Organized religion was a huge part of my life when I was growing up. Over the years, I have stepped away from the church. It was not a sudden decision but more of a gradual process that came to a head when I left my first, and extremely dysfunctional marriage. The church’s stand on divorce pushed me over the edge, as it has for many faithful Catholics caught up in such situations.
Even now, I do feel a certain sense of loss regarding the church. It did play a large part in my formative years. The church provided a sense of community, Christian values, and traditions that were passed down through generations. It provided the inspiration of those who dedicated their entire lives to serving the sick, the elderly, and the community in general.
That is not to say that I did not have issues with the Catholic Church, even in my early years. I have never trusted ultimate or unconditional authority. If there is not oversight, there is always abuse. That has certainly been an issue in the Catholic Church and to this day it has not been properly addressed. I did not understand why in the Catholic Church – that claims to be the heart of Christianity, there is so much emphasis on the fire and brimstone, eye for an eye, judgemental Old Testament. Catholic holidays (Christmas and Easter) were based on the life and times of Jesus Christ, but for the rest of the year his teachings were rather lost or ignored. And finally, I have always questioned why the Catholic rules and regulations were unilaterally determined by a hierarchy that has always been totally out of touch with the real human experience (And to this day, they deliberately choose to remain so).
Overall, I am comfortable with my decision to walk away from the Catholic Church. But I have doggedly questioned what the younger and upcoming generations would have to replace the traditional religions that we, our parents, grandparents and ancestors were raised in.
Where would they learn the values that we were taught through our religious teachings – values like faith, compassion, honesty, forgiveness, gratitude, and respect? The values that contribute to the quality of our lives and the lives of those with whom we interact during the course of our lifetime. Where would they find that sense of community and tradition? Where would they find true inspiration? While I am no longer part of organized religion, I do truly believe that we are Body, Mind and Soul, that we are here by the grace of a higher power, and that we need to honor that higher power.
Lately, I have had the time and opportunity to observe several young families. Maybe it is part of our global pandemic, or maybe it is because people are just settling in to a new reality, but for the most part they seem to be doing fine.
Families are spending more time together out in nature. Families are living ‘family‘ lifestyles – cooking, building, growing and working together. Fathers are far more involved in this family lifestyle than they have ever been. Families are living in smaller communities, growing closer to a core group of neighbours and friends. Parents (and grandparents, aunts, uncles & older siblings) are teaching children the important values in life – more often by example than our religion ever did. Families are building a new sense of community, tradition, and inspiration.
I think this may be evolution at work. Originally, people needed the teachings of the Old Testament, the fire and brimstone way of life, to help them survive and establish mankind on earth. We needed Christianity, to establish a civilized constructive base for mankind to build on. And now – maybe this is what is needed for mankind to thrive and evolve. 💞
That is my ‘Piece of Mind’ for the day. As always, please feel welcome to comment and share your own beliefs or opinions on the subject at hand.
Take care, have a great day and see you tomorrow. 💞
I have done the same thing, Annmarie. I am not Catholic but have also stepped away from organised religion.
While we need to, and I want to honour our Lord, I don’t believe that I have to attend a church in order to do so.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with going to church and being with other believers. My faith in Him is something that no one can ever take away from me, and for that, I am very grateful.
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Well said, John. 💞
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Thank you, Annmarie. ☺️
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Same for me, AnneMarie. I even taught catechism in my teens. The walking away was a lengthy process.
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I did as well, Derrick! Grades 1 and 2. I had 20+ kids in my class and would bring them to Sunday Mass after the sermon. Half way through the first Mass, my Social Studies teacher positioned himself behind us to help keep order. The next Sunday, my school principle joined him. The did that for two years until I graduated and then they took over the Catechism program. So funny but I appreciated their support.
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Yes, God is way more real to me than religion. If I were to drift from my relationship with God then I would have empty religion.
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I have attended the Catholic church. My husband was raised in the Catholic church but I left because they would not accept him, he had been divorced. Over several years I attended many churches of different denominations My final decision was to live a life between myself and God, no more religion for me.
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Awesome post. I have stayed with organized religion partly because of the support from the community. In many ways all churches (regardless of their denomination) have lost the point of it all which is what you said. We have lost focusing on the life of Jesus. We need to turn around and look at it.
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I agree but it is difficult with a man/woman led religion. I am glad that you still get that community support from your church. 💞
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A respectable decision for sure. It isn’t easy but we have to do what is right for us and our families.
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I hear you, Gary. And some churches have such distorted practices that they come between God and man.
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Yes, we do.
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I have stayed in the Catholic Church although they may not be impressed with my constancy because I have no problem separating the institution from the words of Jesus which I find revolutionary and brilliant. I am interested in the Church perspective on those words but I am not impressed how the Church has practiced what it preaches.
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I get that! Although, I am sure they are happy to have you – or at least your local congregation is.
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Well, they have not kicked me out yet!
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