November 24, 2006
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You don’t realize what’s dysfunctional,
until you experience what isn’t.Let me start this out with this: for most of my life I’ve had a strong aversion to organized religion. My mother is a devout buddhist, my brother is an Episcoplian priest. Needless to say, this caused some rifts in my family. Throughout my childhood, there were several instances where religion was a definite stresser.
It wasn’t until this year in getting acquainted with my boyfriend’s family that I’ve realized that it’s really not the religion that causes strife, but the people themselves.
I’ve had two serious relationships prior to this one, neither of them in families that are very religious. While their families were very good to me, I have to admit that I never really felt like I belonged in them –even after more than two years in one case.
So you can imagine my reservations meeting my boyfriend’s family, knowing that their religion is a very big part of their lives. I was afraid of what they would think of me, being completely out of their religious sphere. How wrong I was to worry about anything like that at all. I’ve honestly felt more at home with his family than even my own. They truly make me feel like I’m accepted — and though I never really thought it was something I wanted, it feels somehow like what I’ve been looking for.
And seriously, of all the families I’ve spent a lot of time in, theirs has been the one with the most love and laughter of all.
Knowing this, feeling this, and experiencing this has made me really take a step back and look at my views on organized religion as a whole.…And what I’ve somewhat come to realize is this: it’s not really race, or religion, or intelligence or borderlines that create intolerance among people. It’s the people of these races, religions, intelligences and borderlines that cause the intolerance.
It’s been said before, and I’ve probably said it myself…
But I don’t think I ever really experienced the good side of it until now.
What are your religious beliefs? How do they affect your family life? Your day to day life?
Obligatory photo:
Should I get these glasses?
Comments (26)
Very soon, if you haven’t already begun, i believe you’re gonna see the beauty regardless of the ‘glasses’ you pick
Those are awesome glasses. haha… I’m a Christian, and am not apologetic at all. People need to separate the religion from the people who follow it. We will fall short of any religion’s ideals (unless you’re an atheist, where you have no set laws). The key is figuring out whether your religion of choice is the right one…
I have absolutely no religious beliefs (though I hold some moral ones). Due to NYC’s diversity, I don’t feel it much, but I always feel like I’m missing something when I hear other people talk about their faith, like I don’t have their security. I can’t really find religion on those grounds though; I’ll never really understand it. It’s horribly interesting to look at from a sociological point of view though.
I’m happy about your revelation. It’s a good one.
Happy Thanksgiving.
nice glasses… you should keep them whoever they belong to. haha!
i’m christian, but my family is not.
yeah, it creates rifts, and yeah, i can see completely where you’re coming from..
like just month or two with new friends from church… i was closer to them than anyone else that i knew, even friends from school i’ve known for over 5 years.
roman catholic; tho i believe all religions basically believe in being a good person and there are basic principles that we need to live by.
being devout just helps remind me sometimes (tho not always) to be a good person in all my dealings
girls + glasses = cute
religion seems to amplify what the person is inside. if they’re an asshole/bitch before, then these behaviors become exacerbated once they integrate religion.
no, to the glasses.
Your just a young girl so it will take time to like people whether they are religious or not. Regardless if they like you. It’s called having the moral high ground.
I have no set religious beliefs however I’m open to any insight. I rather follow my own principles. As for the glasses no ma’am :p
I so feel you on this one. My mom is Buddhist. My dad was at one time Atheist and then Evangelical Christian and I have always just gone to church on my own, usually Protestant. My husband is Catholic and regardless of how into their religion they are, they are just good, accepting people. Organized religion can be a joke and even though I’m a spiritual person I don’t put much stock myself in going to church although I have in the past. But truly it is all about the people. Good post. And cute pic!
good to know you’re experiencing something good.
yes get those…they are sexi
on a side note, i’ve noticed that family is very important in certain filipino famlies and knowing the heritage of the filipino people as a whole they have sometimes been more understanding of others differences…
everyone thinks that their religion is better, thats discriminating the others i think.
those glasses are anti-sexy
wow, your bf’s family sounds jawsome.
no to the glasses. it doesn’t do your pretty face justice.
Mom’s a monk, bro’s a priest…
So what are there views on sex before marrage?
HAHAHAhahahahaaayeah I’m takin that back now for fear of fire and brimstone.
I WAS christian but I’m undecided as of late.
Reason: My family church didn’t beleve my grandmother when she told them I was in Iraq, all because I coundn’t give them an address at the time to my basecamp.
EVIL right?
…There’s just something bout a girl with glasses
well..im catholic but not a hard out one…i go to church on sundays, but i dont try to preach or tell people their religion is wrong. i have some questions about my own religion, but i think u just need something to believe in.
My mother on the other hand is a very devout catholic and will probably have a heart attack if someone points out the wrongs in religion. My boyfriend and his family are buddhists. ummm…yeah i dont think religion’s a factor at all, it is the people. some are just really hard out to the point of hypocrisy.
those glasses look better on you than steve.
I’m a Christian. My faith plays a huge role in my family, especially now that I’m a dad, and also in my day to day life. Being a Christian means that you’re able to have a personal relationship with God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I’ve found that in my darkest or most difficult times, that relationship has brought a lot of hope, peace, and joy in my life. It’s something that can’t really be explained, but once you’ve experienced His supernatural love, it’s impossible to deny His existence and His love for us.
get bigger glasses! =D
def get the glasses! lolz HOOOOOOOT!
i agree with ur statement! 120%
i was born and raised roman catholic.
when i went to college, i left the church, went wild and crazy, down and out, went to hell and back.
there was nothing anyone could do for me but pray.
music was a constant in my life.
it was music which brought me back to the church and eventually to recovery.
there are times that i ignore that God exists or at least i sure do act like it.
i can not help myself when i give in to my vices and urges.
flesh makes me weak.
i pray everyday
that i will overcome these urges.
there are days that lasts for weeks
it seems that i remain strong.
it only takes a second of weakness.
my whole family is devout.
when we are together, we always pray.
it is one thing i remember when i was 4
that our whole family did together…
pray, eat, pray, sleep
Apatheist.
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