Why is it that in our deepest and darkest moments we call out His name and ask for His help? Yet, we ignore Him when things are going great and hardly thank Him. Why is it that when we are surprised, or hear such stunning news we shout out His name? With the overly expressed expression “oh my God,” is He really responding to it and twisting His neck back and forth, up and down, left to right, right to left looking for whoever is calling His name? I’ve always wondered that…. And, why do we damn him when we are pissed off?
Well, I might be getting a little too far ahead of myself here, so let me begin by saying that this blog is not intended to ask you to believe in God. God is a very controversial topic because not everyone believes in Him. I believe in Him on the sole blessings in my life and the miracles that happen in this world. If you don’t believe in Him, it’s your decision and this blog is not intended to convince you so. All I really would like to say is my opinion on my God and my faith.
So, let me lay down the basics as to why I believe in God. For one: my mother. I feel truly blessed by the hand of God that she is in my life. The same goes for my family and friends. Two: those miracles where people survive death defying accidents such as a child surviving after falling 15 stories and not breaking a bone. Do ya really think that God had nothing to do with that? Come on people! And three: the power of all that is good and holy out there. For instance, when one single person is left alone in this world and has no one to turn to, I have faith that the person will turn to God. When anyone is alone and need someone, God will always be there for you to pray upon him. If there is a person who does not believe in God and are put in a situation where their life is threatened, what are the first words that come out of their mouth? Did you guess it? That’s right! “Oh God, please help me!” Those little five words, instantly give you comfort and connection to someone to turn to in your time of need.
Let me clarify a few things. God and religion are two different things. I believe in God but I don’t fully believe in my religion. Although I may say that I am a Catholic, I am not a participating Catholic and I’ll tell you why in a few moments. I also don’t believe in the bible. I’ll explain that a little later as well. Sometimes I think of organized religion as a popularity contest. How can I not think of it that way when there are people going door to door asking to join their religion? The purpose of an organized religion should only be for the common interests of our belief system and we should NEVER shun others for believing differently.
I say that I’m not a participating Catholic because 1 – I don’t go to church as often as I should, 2 – Anyone should be able to take the “bread of Jesus Christ” and not just those who confessed their sins the Saturday before, and 3 – I don’t believe in the bible for the reasons of Armageddon and homosexuality. I don’t believe that we will ever have an Armageddon, other than the fact that human beings are slowly destroying this earth with pollution, and I believe that homosexuality is NOT a sin. Now, I could get a little deeper in the last two but that would completely take off subject so I’ll save them for future blogs.
The reasons why I call myself a Catholic is because I believe in its traditions and faiths. And because I grew up going to church every weekend until my mom couldn’t drag me anymore when I got older. I’m just not a full Catholic. I would probably consider myself a 50% Catholic. The other 50% of me is arguing with it. I also wanted to point out that just because you don’t believe in God, doesn’t mean that bad things happen to you. God does not punish nor does he give diseases. I had a recent conversation with a young lady (you know who you are) that asked me this question: “So those hostages that were shot dead in the New York Immigration center died because they didn’t believe in God?” I was quick to observe that she asked me this question when I said that I believe in God because of the good in this world. I answered by telling her the same thing I typed a few lines before. God does not punish nor does he give disease because you don’t believe in him. Ok, yes it’s true that when bad things happen, you question your belief in Him as I did when two family members died. I even blamed God for that. But at the end of the day, you realize that this is just life. God cannot control what happens in this world but he can provide the sanity to keep you sane by praying to Him. He can give you a clear and conscious mind and help you move on with your life.
Ask yourself if you believe in God. Whatever the answer is, it’s ok. Regardless, He will be there when you need Him.
7 comments:
Hey, Chena! I really like this. I can relate to your point of view. Life is so complicated, but at least we have good friends and like minds (such as, if I may flatter myself, your exquisite one). If nothing else, such mates can help one believe in love, to see it incarnate, and to know there is something more, something much bigger than us for us to take comfort in and, in a world of uncertainties, have faith in. :)
I really like this one. I wish my mom would let me have a blog, Nina. I would write soo much and i wish i had a blog. love you!
-welly-
Hi Jess
I certainly respect your point of view. I'm a baptist from Binghamton, N.Y. I don't try to push my religion on other people. In N.Y. i went to church 3 or 4 times a week. Choir practice, fellowship dinner, and twice on Sunday. I eventually burned out. I know i should go to church because i think it's what God wants me to do, but i don't. I sin everyday. I don't think there's any way around it. I sometimes have a bad thought. I was told that's as bad as doing it. What's your opinion on that?
Dear Anonymous that posted on June 4th, 2009 at 5:45pm,
Although I'm not an advice columnist, I will give you my opinion on what you have written. I understand the guilt you are feeling for not attending church. I sometimes feel the same way. I think that we often experience those feelings because we grew up going to church so much when we were younger. And now that we're older, we wonder why we don't do it as often like we did before. We know it is doable because of our past, but things change in our life that shifts our beliefs and lifestyle. I feel that I have the same beliefs I did when I was younger and going to church every week. Going to church every week is not in my lifestyle anymore but I'll catch it once in a while when I visit my family in my hometown. I no longer feel guilty for not attending church every week because I know in my heart the relationship I have with God is true in itself. I pray to Him and thank Him every night and that is all I need to get by. I'm sure I sin everyday because according to the Bible, little things that I don't consider as sinful, are sinful to the church. If you go around counting the small things that your religion considers a sin, imagine the amount of guilt you would acquire. Only you in your heart would know if you are a good and honest person. I feel that I am a good and honest person. And although I may not fully believe 100% in my religion, I'm not beating myself up over the fact that I don't go to church as often as I should or probably sin everyday. I don’t beat myself up over it because I know that my God understands me. Consider your relationship with God and ask yourself if you are a good person. Sounds to me like you are.
Oh and on the "bad thoughts" and "being told that it's as bad as doing it." Thinking about a bad thought and actually doing it are two way different things. The thought can disappear but the action cannot if it's done. If you are having bad thoughts to the point where brushing out of your mind and not thinking about it isn't working anymore, I would suggest writing it down, crinkling up the paper or tearing it, and throwing it away. But if thinking about bad thoughts are so common in your mind to the point where you feel uncomfortable, then maybe it's time to find someone to speak to about it. There's no shame in therapy. Good luck!
Jesi,
I really enjoyed reading your perspective about God and religion. I think we all know that those themes (religion and God) are very complex because each of us brings different experiences, notions, articulations, assumptions, etc. about God. And I think it has to do with the fact that each one of us has a very unique and spiritual experience with God and whatever religion we profess -- or at least belong in. Therefore, we all create conflict of interests and beliefs--hence wars and endless disputes.
I am Catholic by tradition and culture but more by conviction. I respect the doctrines this church teaches. I know oftentimes the teachings rather seem more like imposition, and that's where I find myself palying double standards. Nonetheless, I, like you said, believe in a merciful, loving, understanding, and forgiving God whose love always makes me call up on him-- regardless how sinful I am or have become.
Thanks for sharing this article with us!!
-Tu J
Hola prima.
Tantas cosas que contar y sin saber por donde empesar o como explicar.
I wish i was your age,y a la misma ves estoy contento por lo que he aprendido de la vida buenas y malas, recuerdo cuando tenia 17 queria tener 21, ahora quisiera ser chico, cuando mis padres se preocupaban por mi y mis hermanos (as) ahora comprendo lo que no comprendia antes, aunque yo sin hijos pero veo que fue mas dificil para mis padres que yo sin hijos,
solo deje este comentario no como funcione estoy pero despues seguire escribieno mas.
bye prima , love you.
augie.. (chino)
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