Today in class we discussed the framers of the Constitution addressing the highly debated issues of whether or not this is a Christian Nation, the separation of church and state, the freedom of religion and its relevance to freedom of speech. Our group was very invested in these topic. One underlying theme I saw in the book "Founding Faith" was that many of the Framers i.e. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson, had their own belief and religion they belonged to, but each one seemed to pick and chose what they wanted to believe and practice within their religion. We began sharing with one another how we have treated religion in our own lives.
I was raised Catholic. I was baptized when I was a baby, made my First Holy Communion in first or second grade, was Confirmed when i was in High School. I grew up going to church every Sunday with my family, prayed before bed and had prayers hanging on my wall. I had church memorized :) Church was always something that was a part of my life in some way. That was true until my parents got a divorce. My dad and my mom continued going to church separately. It was not an ugly divorce, it was civil, no one cheated, they just grew apart. My mom and dad tried to continue the way of life they knew. As many know, getting a divorce is not looked very highly upon in the Catholic faith. People at church, who we thought were our friends, began being incredibly rude to my mother. Not sitting next to her, calling her names, not talking to her, and i'm sure if they could, they would have liked her to stay out of the church all together.
Seeing the way these people treat someone, my mother, mad me ashamed to be a part of this church and religion! I can't imagine that that is how God wants us to treat one another. It made me start thinking about my relationship with God and my religion.
I have stopped going to church and began creating a relationship with God on my own terms. I don't believe there is only one way or a right way to have a relationship with God or any religion. I feel confident with the relationship I now have with God, I feel like we understand each other. So I don't appreciate when people who call themselves my friends or people who don't even know me tell me I am wrong or going to Hell or I can't do this. I have chose to practice what i believe in my religion. There is no one right answer. If it makes you feel good, gives you faith, hope, love, peace, whatever!!! Then it's right for you and keep doing what you are doing.
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If this class period didn't make me think of my personal relationship with God, I don't know what will! Seriously this one brought up all kinds of feelings that I have been thinking about, but have been pushing aside. I think our group discussion was a good one, but it definitely made me think!
ReplyDeleteMy dear Friend:
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comment I can’t imagine how difficult it was for you when your parents got divorce, but those are some of the many challenges that we have to go through and not because it’s a punishment of God but rather more look at it, as a challenge that will make you stronger.
Like your self, out there are many people that due to different circumstances of life had left the Catholic Church, but I will be honest with you, I understand that you passed through a difficult time, but living the Church is NOT the answer to solve your problems. What you should do is to take the hand of God so that he could give you the strength to pass this difficult problem. God is the only one that could help you with all your problems and he wants to help you the only thing you need to do is to ask him to help you. What it regards to what people said about you and your mother is not a factor to live the Church, you have to remember that even Jesus was critiqued by many people, but that didn’t stop him from doing the right thing, and from proclaiming the Gospel of Salvation. Jesus never stopped from preaching the message of salvation even when he was nailed and crucified in the Cross.
As a TRUE Catholic you are called to follow Jesus and not the people, meaning that you don’t have to be manipulated by what other people might say about you don’t let the comments of other stop you from coming from church and from exercising your faith, because I can pray by my self at my house but if I don’t go to church and exercise my faith through the sacraments its like trying to pull a truck by your self. In order for you to pull that truck you need the help of other people, in another words in other to truly practice your faith you need that help of the community and you can only do that when you participate in the sacraments.
I understand that many times you have expressed that you hate when people try to convert you, or tell you what is right and wrong, but I invite you to take this as an advice as a friend but you are more than welcome to reject it because you have the freedom of choice, but my hope is that one day you can come back to the Church that saw you growing. I wish you the best and be sure that you will be present on my prayers.
Blessings!!