I do not believe in the whole Jesus as the son of God and savor bit. So how is it that I find Mass to be a special time for me, my spouse, and my kids? Easy. You can learn about love and compassion from any story, fiction or nonfiction. The key is to listen, to be open minded, and still think for yourself. I am not saying that those who believe are only doing so because of social pressures. I am saying that I am not going to join an organized religion because that is what is socially acceptable where I live.
No, when it comes to matters of spirituality you must listen to your reason and your gut. Your instinct will point the way. You just have to be willing to listen and learn. I have had many interesting discussions with Atheists and their spirituality. There is a distinct difference in spirituality and religion. One Atheist actually tells me that her spirituality and calm lies within her work and study of science. The molecular level brings peace and calm to her mind. Makes her want to go and do good deeds and make the world a better place.
I have many friends who are very strong in their faith, and some friends who are very strong in their lack of faith in a God. I try to stay in the middle. Respect those who believe while standing my own personal ground.
I personally see where organized religion of any kind has hindered the growth of civilization. Governments being ran by religious laws that infringe on human rights. Keeping our knowledge and ability to help our fellow humans by limiting stem cell research for one example. Many states do not allow a mother to donate the umbilical cord for stem cell research. My mind cannot comprehend the issue of allowing that. That does not encourage me to have an abortion, rather it encourages me to bring more hope to the world in addition to raising a child who will hopefully be compassionate and loving.
On the flip side I see where many people need to have a faith in a higher being or power. Some truly do need to have an outside strength to encourage them. Many organized religions have soup kitchens, a community pantry, run homeless shelters and more. Perhaps it is this common ideal is what brings groups of people together to encourage them to help one another.
It is when the blending of religion and politics take place that I struggle. I have always on some level been drawn to the Catholic Church. One of the main things I love and have always pointed out to my Protestant friends is that the Catholic Church rarely if ever brings political conversation into the sermon of Mass. Items of discussion in a printed church bulletin? Yes. Having Father preach about what to think or how to vote in regards to political items, rarely. This of course comparing to my experiences in a Catholic Church setting versus a Protestant Church setting. Some of you may doubt my experience of either, but I have attended church services more often than you think.
So with harvest in full swing it has been roughly a month since attending Mass. This morning we were able to attend. I walked out.
After readings, a couple of hymns, Father says we are to listen to a homily from the Bishop. The tape began, and my stomach began to turn.
The Catholic Church is doing a "Fortnight for Freedom" June 21st to July 4th. Believing that their religious liberties are being infringed upon with the recent Obama Care requirements.
"As a community of faith, we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God nothing is impossible." ~Rev. John B. Brungardt is quoted on the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City's website.
There is also a "Rally for Religious Freedom" on June 29th in Topeka stating that the "why" of it as being "The federal government has taken the unprecedented step of requiring religious individuals and institutions to pay for products and procedures that violate their religious beliefs. Catholic schools, hospitals, and charities are not exempt — they will either have to provide their employees with coverage of immoral products, including abortion-inducing drugs, or they may have to shut down. Our country’s 200 year tradition of religious freedom hangs in the balance. Join people of faith across the nation who will be rallying for religious freedom."
Constitutionally speaking, I feel the Catholic Church may have an argument against the Obama Administration. Personally speaking, I feel the way the Catholic Church is getting the word out is inappropriate. It has been explained to me that there is no Sunday school for young children through the Catholic Church because those children are too young to be thrown into the mix of the religious beliefs beyond God and Jesus loves you. The children are a part of the congregation and therefore should be a part of the service as well.
My children do not need to hear of the political crap between the church and the government. They are far to young to have to explain "abortion-inducing drugs" too. Placing informational items in the written bulletin, sending out letters to members, or even holding special information meetings to explain why or how this is affecting the Catholic Community is a much better way in my personal opinion.
As far as attending Mass, that is going to be put on hold for at least a week or two. I will use the nearby cornfield for meditation as the corn is growing like crazy! My normal excitement over an election year is gone. I am anxiously awaiting to hear the decision of the Supreme Court in regards to the first arguments of the Obama Care plan.
Perhaps I am not taking my own advice about being open minded and listening. Perhaps walking out today was a bad decision. Ultimately though I was trying to conserve the love I have of the routine and typical message I receive from the Catholic Church. That message of loving one another and loving yourself.
