I heard a news report the other day, and I'm sure I don't have all the facts, so I'll need to research it a bit, but the gist of the news blurb was that Catholic priests still have high morale despite the pedophile scandal currently hounding the Archdiocese. I couldn't help shouting at my radio "That's the whole damned point! Why aren't they outraged?!?!". I think that was the turning point for us. We tried to separate the "bad" priests (and Cardinals) from our own "good" priest, but once more and more information came out (despite the kicking and gnashing of Cardinal Mahoney), we just couldn't understand how our parish priest could be so silent about the issue. It's just not right.
And that is why we are jaded with our religion. So sad, too, because I wanted to make that a priority for my children. My boys have had their first communions but I don't think we'll have the girls pursue it. Not unless we see some big changes. Big changes. Like "goodbye Cardinal Mahoney" changes.
You just can't allow children to be harmed like that, there is no justification whatsoever for it, it was unconscionable then, and it continues to be as long as they are harboring secrets. The hypocrisy of it all.
Withholding my financial contributions was fine for a while, but it is now at the point where I can't even stomach the hypocrisy of sitting through a mass, or a homily, because I don't think I would be able to keep my mouth shut.
So, do I switch religions, or just be an inactive Catholic? And how do I explain that to my kids?
4 comments:
Lisa, I would like to express my opinion of your 'loosing your religion' blog. I find that in many religions, we as followers or faithful put way too much trust in the heads of religion. They are just as human as you or I. The idea that a religious leader is perfect or expected to be, is rediculous. example: catholic church does not condone divorce, but do all catholics stay married till death do they part??? There are many divorced catholics who still attend regular sunday service. I believe faith is a very personal thing, and just as education, you get from it what you take and nourish. My husband has decided not to attend church for similar reasons. He has delt with several church members on a business basis and found that they are one way at church and church functions and totally different outside of religious events. Perhaps I misunderstood the blog. I'm not saying don't leave the church, but mearly don't loose your faith or your childrens oportunity to decide their own religious or spiritual beliefs.
Thank you for your comment, anonymous. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. I understand your perspective, and agree on many levels. The thing that I love about being a Catholic is the steadfastness of the ideals. I think of my religious leaders as parental-types, telling me what is right and wrong, even though most of us are choosing to use birth control or have sex out of wedlock - - we have to choose to cross that line ourselves, knowing that it is wrong. But, just as in parenting, being a hypocrite is detrimental to that trusting, faithful relationship. It is possible that I am more skittish because I chose to be a Catholic as an adult; I was raised in an agnostic home. I had a spiritual emptiness that I sought to fill, and I doubted my ability to have true and open Faith for many years. It wasn't until one very scary moment in our lives that I physically felt the Grace of God lift a burden from me, and I knew that I really did have it (Faith). So, through this Church turmoil, my faith in God has not been shaken, just my faith in religion.
I have begun attending a Universalist Unitarian church. I enjoy it, but I don't feel quite at home there. They are quite liberal, and I differ with them on many social/political levels. But I enjoy their services, they are quite meditative and peaceful. There is little talk of "God" and the focus is mainly on universal truths - - love, charity, acceptance, etc. I think my children could benefit from attending, but I have been hesitant to immerse them until I have a better understanding of what this religion is really about.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Lisa, I understand the religious upbringing. I was raised as a catholic and had it forced upon me. I went through the motions of the sacraments so that I would not have to go to religious (sunday) school after I finally made my confirmation. To me it was a symbol of my obedience to my parents or rather my manipulation of them to leave me alone. I can not say that I have ever not had faith in God or a higher being if you will, but I don't necessarily beleive in catholicism. I am now a baptised latter day saint (mormon), however I do not attend regularly. I do however feel as you put it "at Home" there. I find that the services (3hrs long) ussualy are quite enjoyable, and my kids enjoy them also. My oldest is 15 and is free to leave after the initial 'mass' which he rarely does. thanks for letting me ramble. I am glad to hear that your faith in God is still intact. wow you'll have to excuse the spelling and gramtical errors as this doesn't have spell check. I don't type either, so excuse the type o's. I feel a little like I'm eaves dropping on you family in reading this. I am assuming that that is what it is for. You seem to have an incredible handle on your faith and are steering your children to maneuvering their own religious vehicles. kudos to you and john. CL in SoCal
CL, you are welcome to eavesdrop on us any time! Thank you for taking an interest. I am tickled by the fact that the family and friends this 'blog was originally intended to be directed to never comment (I highly doubt they even follow it), yet others find entertainment and motivation to respond.
~Lisa
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