Posted by RJones2125 at s77-106.resnet.ucla.edu on October 20, 2003 at 01:08:49:
In Reply to: So, Essentially... posted by Gameday on October 20, 2003 at 00:54:56:
I just might. I think I'm in a transitional period, because I've been pretty cold-turkey these days with the whole religion thing. I think I'm too young to have settled (despite the concept of the sacrament of Confirmation, haha), and I may end up as one of those really annoying people that say that they don't belong to an particulat religion, but they're just "spiritual." I'm kind of like one of those people that just likes the idea of religion (am I the minority?), and think that they're all pretty good, from Buddhism to Protestantism, to whatever [though, obviously, I don't condone the hateful aspects of them]. In truth, as a college student, I'm about the same age of Kevin when he started questioning his religion. He, obviously, is a little bit of an unorthodox one, but he's still a Catholic (I believe). I doubt that his opinions/views about the faith are too different than mine. We Catholics just keep coming back though, we're sadomasochistic in that way.
: ... your Protestant.
: 'Cause, like, what you described - thats it.
: I love when Catholics say their Catholics, but then disavow the majority of the stances their religion dictates. Why don't you just convert to a different religion, one that is more in line with your true beliefs?
: Doesn't necessarily have to be Protestantism (I was kinda joking about that)... but why this fear of searching out a religion that truly fits you, as opposed to one that you were simply brought up as?
:
: : 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.