On Being Catholic & The New Wars of Religion

There have been more truly horrific times in the history of this world. From 1914 to 1918 we fought the bloodiest war we have ever known. From 1939 to 1945 we fought the world's most destructive war, with acts of inhumanity so terrible that had never been seen before. And after that war, we lived in fear that nuclear missiles would rain down upon us, and that too eventually came to a conclusion.

In all that horror, what kept evil at bay? Simple kindness and mercy and love. The Christmas truce during World War I, a German fighter escorting a damaged U.S. bomber to safety and German and American troops sharing Christmas together on the coldest nights during the Battle of the Buldge of World War II.

I think it is said best in this quote from the "Hobbit" films:

"…I don't know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid… and he gives me courage." - Gandalf.

In the legends and stories of Tolkien's "Middle-Earth, the concept of self-sacrifice is prevalent throughout his works. It's a very Christian concept to be willing give up one's life for another, that and generally being kind and helping to others. Today Christianity is associated with idea that it is a force that holds humanity back with it's demonization of science, and that as a religion, it is the source of war and evil in this world. Indeed, religion has been used as an excuse for war and the destruction of information. People have manipulated the concepts taught in religion to control others, it can be a terrifying source of power.

As a Catholic, I was never taught that my religion doesn't stop me from learning nor was it a source of power that controlled me. What I learned was more of being a good person and life lessons. Throughout my life I was never prevented from friending people who didn't share the same beliefs as me, in fact almost none of my friends are practicing Christians.

It wasn't until I was older that I saw the beliefs of other Christian denominations and the world's reactions. Christians who went out into the street and yelled at random people on the street, saying "you'll go to Hell if you don't convert." People who just seemed so blinded by their faith. I can appreciate a devotion to ones faith, but when it makes you so blind that you judge others without any knowledge, your no longer following the Christian ethic. "Judge not others, lest you be judged."

The media has take this recent tide of right-wing evangelical ideology and helped fume the flames of a "War on Religion." People who are religious, especially Christians, are bigots and hateful people who want to turn this country into a theocracy. But instead of focusing their reporting on the groups that preach hateful interpretations, they lump everyone into one group. All Christians are people who want to bring us back technologically and scientifically, and are violent hateful people who use the Bible as their justification. Those people exist, but they don't represent every Christian.

Being this time of year, lets ask the question below and look at whats going with religion in our society.

Is there a a war on Christmas?

This is a question with a yes and a no answer. Every year almost we hear on the news the "War on Christmas", how society is trying to remove it with sayings like "Happy Holidays", and this year the controversy over the minimalist Starbucks red cup. In reality, however, this isn't the truth, there really isn't a war. No one is stopping you from putting up a tree and decorating, shopping for presents, or celebrating in general, it's become very much a part of American society.

The true war on Christmas is the commercialization of the holiday. Images are broadcast on the news of people streaming into stores on Black Friday, like the orcs when they breach the gates of "Minas Tirth." They storm in for the deals and likely spend more on themselves than others. Moreover, Christmas has been turned into this period of intense shopping where we focus more on material processions than the true meaning of the holiday and that it's a time to spend with friends and loved ones. Gifts are a nice part of the holiday, but not everything.

Is there a war on Religion?

In this country at the world as a whole, yes there is. The push for secularism isn't a bad thing, secular countries tend to have more religious tolerance and acceptance. But there seems to be a push to completely push religion out of society totally. There is an idea that religion is holding society back on social issues and the advancement of technology, while historically this isn't necessarily true, there are religious elements today that do this. Evangelicals, especially the more fundamentalist ones, refuse to recognize  parts of science that seemingly contradict with their literal interpretation of the "Bible." As well as demand that parts of society be suppressed for the same contradiction.

This, coupled with the rise of violent Islamic extremism, has led many to believe that religion is an evil in this, a relic that needs to be stamped out. It is the source of oppression, violence, war, and is anti-knowledge. Through media and especially social media, religion has been put down as a source of evil. But with the belittling and seeming hatred towards religion, many have sought a safe place with the more radical religious, a place where they can gather and be open with their faith. Not a bad thing, but this  does have it's consequences, as many evangelicals have been aggressive in their efforts to convert, as was the scene at a Catholic church in Las Vegas (linked below).

It's the classic tale of two sides attacking one another, but only finding themselves strengthening the other. While it may seem that the atheists and non-religious are winning, faith can be a powerful motivator and weapon, again, just look at the Middle-east. Like a cornered cat, they will lash back with great ferocity.

As a Catholic, I feel myself set in this battle between both sides, disliked by each. The Evangelical / Protestant crowd has had a history of hate towards Catholics (not everyone), they consider us polytheists because of the "Trinity", worshipers of idols, and blind followers of the "devil" Pope. Meanwhile, atheists lump us in with the rest of religious extremists as bigots and hateful people. I can not express in "clean" words how much all this sends me into a rage. The accusations, insults, and belittling have made me feel completely unwelcome in this country, despite being third generation born here, and the media doesn't help. We're supposed to be a nation of tolerance and acceptance, but it only works on a double-standard depending upon who is in political power.

So, let me explain what it means for me to be Catholic. Historically, the Catholic Church have done some awful things, but they have also been the ones to fund social programs and many of the oldest universities in Europe. They worked towards the translation and preservation of classic works, this includes monks saving many Mayan and Aztec works of literature. They were also the patrons of art, and yes even science. The current calendar was created by a Pope in the 1500s, and the "big bang theory" was proposed by a Catholic priest. Monks were know to practice botany, and possibly as a result have made some of the best beer ever made, "Abbey Ale".

Being a Catholic doesn't mean blinding yourself to knowledge, nor trying to purge society of "undesirables." I've always looked at being a Catholic as spiritual and a moral guide to being a good person. We study the "Bible" in a analytical way, not literal, it's a collection of historical accounts, fables, psalms, and lessons. It was written by people trying to make sense of the world that they live in, thus it can't contradict science. However, science can not contradict the existence of God. The Universe is a vast and we know less than a fraction of what it contains. You CAN have your cake and eat it too.

I've come to believe that it wasn't physical appearance, but a creative spirt of God that we were created in the image of. There is a infinity to creativity, God, and the Universe. While yes, other creatures do have the ability to create very simple tools and shelters, none, of the complexity of human creative mind.

Finally, if there is one the thing I have gained from being Catholic is that, we're human, and we are not perfect, and to accept that. We are to strive to be better people and accept the flaws ourselves and others, and show respect. As I have said, I would never try to tell someone what to believe, I would need to be 100% secure in my faith, and part of the journey. I would help someone on that journey, but never force anyone into it. The Church itself is run by humans, thus it is an imperfect organization, but at it's core is a goal to help build a better world. I don't judge it by the people, including the clergy involved in the sex scandals, nor the few jackass priests I have met in my life.

In conclusion, religion is and will be a part of our society for the foreseeable future. People will believe in beings they can not see and follow the teachings with much vigor. If we are to move forward as a society we must accept these people, and recognize those who wish to use it as a means of power and control, as a means to spread fear and hate. Religion is not evil, only this who manipulate it for their own selfish means. In this country it is not anyones right to force some to believe or not too, this nation was based on freedom of speech and freedom of belief, and if we are going to a beacon in the future for people seeking freedom, that idea must be accepted.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/christinerousselle/2015/12/14/group-disrupts-catholic-mass-in-las-vegas-n2093502

http://www.cruxnow.com/faith/2015/11/17/why-dont-catholics-read-the-bible/

To provide some context.

To give some context to the post I made earlier, it was supposed to be a response to a captioned picture a friend posted, but I thought it would better here. It deals with the struggles (in a humorous manor) of life. You try to make yourself look happy, but in realty your "stumbling" through life without to much direction looking for purpose.

I am 27 years old, and due to financial circumstances, I still live at home. In many ways I feel as if I am stuck in this sort of "middle area", between being a young person and being an adult (of some sort).  What's my direction? What will the future hold? What am I doing with my life? In short, I'm scatter brained. Trying to answer those questions, while dealing with work, bills, and the long process of writing a novel series.

Childhood does look like a simpler period time, you didn't have as much freedom to make decisions or go where you want, but everything seemed to just fall into place. Nothing to worry about, just do your homework and then go watch TV and play with your legos, or decide what video game you'll play next. Again, simple.

Now, you have to decide whether or not jump headfirst into life decisions or plan it out and throughly. You have to think about money and deal with the cruel tricks life throws at you. The crazy dreams are tempered by reality and the world expects you to be one way and you would prefer to be something else. You try to act like an adult, but you would rather be a kid again.

It's all confusing, hell, what I just wrote might make no sense to most, but life doesn't seem to make any, anyways. I guess the question in the end is, what is the meaning of life? Perhaps it just to be a good person and give to society. Or maybe there is a spiritual aspect to it. Or it could simply be different per-person. But when but it's you, you'll likely know.

Random thought of the Day.

Many of us stumble through life trying to find purpose in something, the meaning of life. We set goals and then wonder are they worth it or is there an better way to accomplish it or we just get lazy. We want the simplicity  of when we were younger, but also the excitement that we always dreamed of, but settle on the reasonable middle because...eh. You can't decide on sushi or steak, but compromise on the chicken, because it's guaranteed to satisfy and taste good without making you feel like you've just ingested half a cow or whether or not you should jump at something so exotic to your pallet. And perhaps, at some point, you come to a conclusion,  that life is a confusing set of decisions and the answer will hit you in the face like an exploding samsung  battery and........ I'm not sure, I'm just rambling at this point. Maybe there is no spoon.

Apple's Special Event: A Reaction

Apple today introduced there new iPhone 7, Apple Watch, and "Ear Pods". While for some that is fantastic news, for me it's... ok. Disappointing is a better sentiment, what they showed us was interesting and innovative, I was hoping for the rumored new MacBook Pro. The "life style gadgets" have their appeal, I used an iPhone 6, but I prefer raw power and the innovations surrounding computers.

I have been an Apple fan since my family bought our first iMac, and since then the vast majority of my computers, and even some gadgets have been from apple. However, I could honestly care less about the Apple Watch (I personally think it's stupid and overpriced), and the iPhone is nifty, but I still use my laptop (MacBook Pro mid-2012) for doing most tasks.

Apple's current trends haven't impressed me recently, with the exception of the new Mac Pro. Thinness isn't everything and not everything has to be wireless, they are annoying, but better then two "Pods" that can't wrap around your phone and you'll probably lose one. I'll probably get an iPhone 7 at some point, but with proper lightening cable headphones, or an adapter. 

Rant concluded.