So, in order for whomever is reading this to get a good look at my religious wrinkles I feel I need to describe where I come from. I am Catholic. I was/am not one of the 'Christmas and Easter' Catholics- I go to mass just about every Sunday and have been since I was born. My mother is extremely Catholic- my father just converted to the faith after a lifetime of rejecting any religious teaching.
It's always hard to ask questions when you are a child. Even in the first few years of college I found it hard to seek out information on the 'why' behind my faith. I blindly believed just as most children who grow up in a strict religious family do (though I know there are exceptions). And to be honest, I think that was good for me (mostly- - I'll explain in the next paragraph). I have a strong faith in God in the sense that I believe there is a God and He is there looking after me and my family.
It is only recently, maybe within the past two to three years, that I have been starting to question my faith. Here is why growing up with a strict religious tradition was bad for me: I think I was stifled. I was scared to do anything bad- anxious to live life. I used to think, ' I only want one girlfriend before I get married...how cool would that be?' or ' I don't want to do whatever they are doing because I want to be able to say that I have never done ______ in my life.' WHY? I wasn't experiencing life at all. I was afraid to go outside of my religious views and make a few mistakes.
Now, at the age of 23 I am unlike my former self in some respects. I try not to avoid things, but like Edward was saying I now try to make things happen. Believe me it's blown up in my face recently because I think I might be an emotionally glorified 18 year-old -- but in a way it is good because I can tell myself that I am finally doing. I am no longer on the sideline.
Okay. Time to get into what I actually believe. Like I said, I believe in God. I believe in most of the Catholic teachings, but I definitely have grown a mind of my own and have started to question and disregard things I find moronic. What you might ask? Well, I find it stupid that according to Catholics, I need to go to a priest and tell him all my sins in order for them to be forgiven. I find it stupid that some people think I will burn in Hell for eating meat on Fridays during Lent. WHERE IS THAT IN THE BIBLE? Come on, Pope. There are a bunch of other things but right now the are eluding me.
So, I take the Catholic principles and I think about them. I question my faith a lot. More so than people who might know what I believe think. I ask my religious parents questions all the time.
Religion, for me, is a personal relationship with God. It's me walking down a road, or to class talking to myself, or rather talking to God. I used to see God as a bearded man angry at me all the time- not funny- almost unforgiving (Catholic guilt- which even now I cannot escape from). God to me is a best friend- like Daniel said, He is the most compassionate and funny. I mean He made us- He knows how He made us and He knows how we are. Why did He make so many rules He knows are soooo hard to follow? That's just another question I have.
I am one of those religious people who think things happen for a reason and I think am happier and more content for it. I think that people who use organized religion to pick scraps or start violent acts are absurd- though I tend to like organized religion. So many of the great acts that go on throughout the world are supported by some sort of religious entity (and I know that most violent acts can also be attributed to these religious sources as well) But I am a product of organized religion. I will continue to go to mass until I somehow reason my way out of it- which is unlikely. I will raise my children with organized religion with an emphasis of figuring out a personal relationship with God and going from there. Religion gets dangerous when zealots don't have a mind of their own and act upon impulse, generally doing the exact opposite of what is taught.
Anyways, this was a lot longer than I was expecting and probably pretty jumbled. If you get anything out of this- get that I have a mind and I use it especially on religious issues. I definitely want to learn more about my own and other religious beliefs. And booms goes the dynamite.
In the name of Allah, The Most-Merciful, The Most-Compassionate. I bear witness that there is no god but Him, The Ever-Living, The Self-Subsistent. And I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and messenger.
ReplyDeleteHere are some articles that might answer some of your quandries about God, Mighty and Majestic. Do not misconstrue my lack of personal response as an example of the zealot that Jim referenced, but rather I tread the path lightly, and fear that my writting would not be devoid of error. I truly hold the majority beliefs of my religion above that of my own, and do not find it to be a handicapt on my intelligence, but rather the opposite. After all, were it not for the Muslim theologians preservation, translation, and refutation of the Greek philosophers, Western philosophy would have never had access to them, after the Church having burned all such works. If any of the following articles that I hold above anything written by my own hand, do not hold absolute Truth in the highest regard, then I would love to hear any criticism in person. I'd be happy to meet with and talk respectfully with anyone on this topic, so please don't hesitate to call me whenever at 703 431 8648. My ability in such intelectual discussion I feel is not so hindered in person, in which I tend to be a better communicator, God willing.
An introduction to the most recent translation of the fundamental book on the theology of Islam. The Creed of Imam Tahawi, was written in the 10th Century CE. This article is written by the translator, Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, a leading Muslim scholar in the West, who explains the purpose of theology (which I guess is sorta what everyone is presenting their personal views on):
http://sandalaproductions.com/UploadedResources/Spiritual%20Witness.pdf
An article written by my teacher, Sheikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller. Like me, he is a convert from Catholicism, and responds in this letter to a Christian, in what regard does Islam hold faith/belief as an obligation: http://www.shadhiliteachings.com/tariq/?act=article&id=18
Another article written by my teacher, Sheikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller. It explains the validity of religious experience:
http://www.shadhiliteachings.com/tariq/?act=article&id=28
And why I won't be posting anything beyond this, that I thought was obligatory upon myself as a Muslim:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/6868/
Yes! We have religious discussion between people other than me and Edward! First off, I think it's great that you've got your own head, Jim, and you can question your religion while still maintaining a good relationship with God. No relationship, especially not religioius should be blind. Second, while I am definitely wary of organized religion for the ability of the said "zealot" to take it too far and lead other less than zealous but more than willing people to do extreme and terrifying things, I do appreciate the fact that churches themselves bring people together of a community. It promotes common ground between people of a given area, which I must say is something that is quickly dying off with suburbia putting up fences, winding roads with dead-ends, and security systems to isolate people from each other. I think people underestimate the mental effects of such growth when there really is no "town" and people don't see each other unless it's through at least two panes of glass (your car and theirs) or waiting in line at the DMV or Roy Rogers. Thankfully there are other events that bring people together like concerts, festivals, or sporting events, but they don't match the consistency and routine of going to church and talking to people there. Edward, you should talk about how teen centers will change all this.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you commented, Zach, because we (or at least I) really don't have too much of an idea of how Islamic beliefs are practiced and how they mesh with a highly Christian society here. I hope you can comment more even though I know you said you couldn't, just because we could use other views in here for the discussion.