Posted by RJones2125 at s77-106.resnet.ucla.edu on October 20, 2003 at 00:45:26:
In Reply to: i love being catholic... posted by MasterdeBater774 on October 20, 2003 at 00:25:53:
The important thing about Catholicism is not to take it too seriously. That might make me seem contradictory or something, but when you're raised Catholic and you kind of decide you're sticking with it, you've got to realize that a lot of stuff is bullshit. The world's fucking old, most of the Bible is composed of "uplifting stories and parables," probably not hardcore fact. These kinds of views get dangerous when they are opposed by the ignorant and fearful. Tradition really is a harmful thing. Obviously eating meat on Fridays during Lent is a lesser offense than murder, and only the traditional higher-ups (and probably pious old people) would claim that there is even some comparison. Religious affiliation shouldn't rule one's life, I'm Catholic but pro-choice, death penalty, whatever. I'm not scared of not being "Catholic enough," and I'm not threatened by the dogma (sorry, I had to throw some kind of View Askew reference to justify my posting). I'm just afraid of what "complete devotion" could do to me. I don't want anything conflicting with my ability to reason and justify. I haven't been to church in about a couple months, haven't read the Bible since Confirmation and I don't really like praying. But leave me alone, I'm a Catholic, liberal and contemporary, but not just a name only one.