I grew up Catholic in a very Catholic family. I never complained growing up but always felt I was being force fed something. Looking back, I just didn't know any different.
I went to an all girls Catholic school K-12, it was co-ed until 6th grade, then girls only. Yes, I did get a great education, but I have bad memories of the school director, a Monsignor who would preach for an hour about the ills of society and how horrible Santa and Halloween were and how terrible dancing with boys was. Oh and he constantly made political comments. as do the previous and current "leaders" of the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico, but that's for another time.
When I went to college, I couldn't wait to go far away and leave all that behind. I still went to Mass in uni, but I think more out of habit than out of faith. The more exposed I got to others, the more I realized that what I knew growing up wasn't infallible. My mom is very religious. So was my grandmother. My grandfather is way too much. One of my aunts is so religious that she's part of a Catholic group called Neocathechumenal Way which is so fanatical about Catholicism that it scares me.
After graduating college, I moved in with her to NJ/NY and was there for a few years. To not be rude, I went to her services a couple of times. A big mistake.
My aunt has icons and rosaries everywhere in her apt. I always felt as if they were all staring at me. I still do. I started to avoid having to even be asked to go so I wouldn't be rude. After a while, I no longer cared and I started telling her I didn't want to go. I probably offended her at the time, but even though I noticed she didn't approve, she stopped asking me after some time.
Needless to say that when I moved to Miami I was happy to be away from that. Our family's apt in Miami is on the same block as a Catholic church (which makes my mother very happy) but I never went. In fact, my already doubting self completely got convinced of the utter hypocrisy of many who claim to be faithful and all-around good Christians (esp Catholics) when I honked at this lady getting out of the husband's car at the corner and asked them to move up a bit because my ass was out in the middle of the intersection and was about to get hit by on-coming cars. Instead of apologizing or actually moving the car just a couple of feet down, she gets her kid, yells at me "I hope you die!" and proceeds to walk into the church for Sunday Mass. Before you ask, yes I did hear clearly. It was a nice day out so my car windows were down and I don't blast my music. I will never, ever forget that.
That clinched it for me. Now, not only do I never set foot in a church, I cringe at the thought of having to go to a Mass anywhere. It was a real issue for me to go to my cousins' weddings. They both had the whole church wedding thing.
One thing, I was very happy in Japan when it came to religion (and many other things, which is why I totally regret coming back). I felt nobody pressured you into anything or questioned you about why I don't do it. The shrines and temples were a kind of sanctuary for me. I found them very peaceful. No, I didn't convert to Shinto or Buddhism, but I think the fact that those two religions, don't really force you or make you feel forced into believing is great. They are there and if you want to welcome them, then fantastic. If not, they leave you be.
Oh, there's more to say about my aunt and the trip I just went on with her because it does have to do with religion, but I'll leave that for you to read on my journal when I do post it. I'm still sorting through 1000+ photos. LMAO
Anyway, I guess the whole point to my comment was that I agree that in most cases religion (esp in its organized form)does bring distrust, intolerance, wars (Crusades, anyone?) and just problems overall. I choose to go with the "do what you want, but don't snide me because I don't want to follow your rules and don't force it down my throat" part. Respect my decisions and I'll respect yours. Break that and all bets are off.
no subject
I went to an all girls Catholic school K-12, it was co-ed until 6th grade, then girls only. Yes, I did get a great education, but I have bad memories of the school director, a Monsignor who would preach for an hour about the ills of society and how horrible Santa and Halloween were and how terrible dancing with boys was. Oh and he constantly made political comments.
as do the previous and current "leaders" of the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico, but that's for another time.When I went to college, I couldn't wait to go far away and leave all that behind. I still went to Mass in uni, but I think more out of habit than out of faith. The more exposed I got to others, the more I realized that what I knew growing up wasn't infallible. My mom is very religious. So was my grandmother. My grandfather is way too much. One of my aunts is so religious that she's part of a Catholic group called Neocathechumenal Way which is so fanatical about Catholicism that it scares me.
After graduating college, I moved in with her to NJ/NY and was there for a few years. To not be rude, I went to her services a couple of times. A big mistake.
My aunt has icons and rosaries everywhere in her apt. I always felt as if they were all staring at me. I still do. I started to avoid having to even be asked to go so I wouldn't be rude. After a while, I no longer cared and I started telling her I didn't want to go. I probably offended her at the time, but even though I noticed she didn't approve, she stopped asking me after some time.
Needless to say that when I moved to Miami I was happy to be away from that. Our family's apt in Miami is on the same block as a Catholic church (which makes my mother very happy) but I never went. In fact, my already doubting self completely got convinced of the utter hypocrisy of many who claim to be faithful and all-around good Christians (esp Catholics) when I honked at this lady getting out of the husband's car at the corner and asked them to move up a bit because my ass was out in the middle of the intersection and was about to get hit by on-coming cars. Instead of apologizing or actually moving the car just a couple of feet down, she gets her kid, yells at me "I hope you die!" and proceeds to walk into the church for Sunday Mass. Before you ask, yes I did hear clearly. It was a nice day out so my car windows were down and I don't blast my music. I will never, ever forget that.
That clinched it for me. Now, not only do I never set foot in a church, I cringe at the thought of having to go to a Mass anywhere. It was a real issue for me to go to my cousins' weddings. They both had the whole church wedding thing.
One thing, I was very happy in Japan when it came to religion (and many other things, which is why I totally regret coming back). I felt nobody pressured you into anything or questioned you about why I don't do it. The shrines and temples were a kind of sanctuary for me. I found them very peaceful. No, I didn't convert to Shinto or Buddhism, but I think the fact that those two religions, don't really force you or make you feel forced into believing is great. They are there and if you want to welcome them, then fantastic. If not, they leave you be.
Oh, there's more to say about my aunt and the trip I just went on with her because it does have to do with religion, but I'll leave that for you to read on my journal when I do post it. I'm still sorting through 1000+ photos. LMAO
Anyway, I guess the whole point to my comment was that I agree that in most cases religion (esp in its organized form)does bring distrust, intolerance, wars (Crusades, anyone?) and just problems overall. I choose to go with the "do what you want, but don't snide me because I don't want to follow your rules and don't force it down my throat" part. Respect my decisions and I'll respect yours. Break that and all bets are off.
Sorry, I couldn't seem to keep it short.