This is a entry you guys debate, discuss, or reflect on. It goes out to Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, philosophicals, theologians, to anyone of faith, anyone without faith, anyone for religion, anyone against religion. This is (I guess you could say) an analysis/reflection on faith and religious teachings and doctrines/dogma.

Now, a little background on me so you dont go around saying I'm some idiotic Atheists or Christian bigot. I've gone to a Catholic school for 13 years, mostly raised on the Catholic faith. However, my school and family, for the most part, are Liberal in the aspects of the faith and politics. For the first two, two-and-a-half years of high school, I had some issues with God and religion and faith. That, for the most part, was due to my depression. Some events through junior and the beginning of senior year set me straight (my close friends that read this will know). My faith in a higher, metaphysical being (or God) was restored for the most part, but the ideals of the Catholic/Christian faith still never stuck. Yes, I believe in Christ, however, I felt like I needed to extend my faith into other faiths. I soon adopted Buddhist and Hindu ideas into my faith.

I now attend a Methodist college in North Carolina (High Point University, come and visit sometime, its nice). My roommate, Pat, is a Catholic. I have now qualms about that, but his faith and belief in the Catholic religion is stronger than mine. I say this is due to the fact he never went to a Catholic school, haha...And that is much to his chagrin. But, staying with a more reserved and stricter Catholic than I'm use to, lead me to think about several things.

Now, here is a disclaimer! This journal consists of both religious facts and my own, and some of my friends', opinions. I am not here to convert or cause one to stray away from their beliefs and ideals. This is merely for reflection and thought. Remember people, opinions!

Now, where to begin? Well, seeing as I am a Christian/Catholic, I guess we'll start with the main figure-head in the faith: Jesus of Nazareth. The main idea in all Christian faiths is that Jesus was the Son of (the Abrahamic) God. Most of the Christian religions teach that he is part human, part Divine...but mostly Divine. I am not here to argue whether he was just a holy man preaching or actually part of the Divine Force. I'm devoting this section to his teachings.

All Christian Faiths follow some kind of interpretation of Jesus' teachings; be it strictly literal or symbolic. I will mainly focus on the Catholic side of this because that is where most of my knowledge in this lies. However, I am aware that most views of the Catholics are shared by other Christians as well with some of these points. Now, for my question:

What is more important: worshipping/following Jesus or following his teachings? Furthermore, for Catholics: is it more important to follow your own interpretation of Jesus' teachings or to follow the Institutionalized (CAtholic, Evangelical, etc) interpretation of his teachings?

That question is brought about by several experiences. One was when my brother's girlfriend said that we (my brother and I) weren't Catholic. Before my sharp retort, my brother quelled the ominous flames by saying "We are Catholics, we just dont believe in everything the Catholic Church says". Another would be one of the many conversations I've had with my Evangelical lab partner in Biology 130 (those who know my top annoyances, laugh now).

I will discuss the teachings/worshipping question first. This is where the interpretation and following Jesus gets a little hazy. My Evangelical lab partner is a good example of this. The Evangelical faith is also a good example. Anyone familiar with the Evangelical faith know that if you aren't worshipping or believing in Christ, you go to hell and you die [maybe not in that order...^_^]. But, you get the idea. I asked my lab partner, what came first: Believing in Christ or following his teachings. He said Christ. So, that means, for Evangelicals, believing in Christ is more important than his teachings?

In the today's P.C. world, Evangelicalism (is that a word?) does not gain a high popularity do to its...well, they seem to be bigots. Not against race, but sexual orientation and other religions and faiths. Is this a form of xenophobia? I think so. If they really followed the teachings of Christ, they'd actually try to accept the other lifestyles, sexual orientations, and beliefs of others. Yes, I really do take Evangelicals that seriously and negatively. I watched and interview with a few Evangelical ministers: "So, if someone in some third world country, like the poverty stricken suburbs of India dont even know who Christ is because they have no exposure to it...will they go to Hell?" Their answer: "Yes"

On an interesting side note, most people in the US have a Hindu idea of faith: there are many waits to the truth/after-life/heaven and there is no right or wrong way. This survey also isolated the Evangelical answers to the question. They garnered a response to around 15%, I believe. I found that interesting. I digress on that topic for now.

Now, lets move on to the second question I asked so far. Whats more important (seems to be a common theme): Christ's teachings or the Catholic's interpretation of said teachings? This is where I'm going to straight say it: I believe Jesus' teachings are minorly tainted with the interests of the people that have "power" over the interpretations of the teachings. Lets take this into consideration...This applies to both Catholics and other forms of Christianity:

Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage are burning topics of debate in today's world. Now, as Americans (for I can only comment on Americans), we stand for equality and freedom, do we not? We fought against the British, ourselves, Europe, Asia, the USSR in wars, both cold and hot, to sustain our freedom and equality. THe Civil Rights movement in 50s and 60s even furthered our equality...as some say. I am not saying everyone is treated equality. I know there is still racism, sexism, and other forms of "-isms" out there. However, using religion to be back up one's bigotry is annoying.

Recently, the Catholic Church said its okay to be gay! You just cant practice it because its says so in the Bible. Every form of Christianity basically uses that. Instead of saying that being gay is a choice, an abomination to God's plan, or just plan wrong, the Catholics were slick about what they said. Homosexuality and same-sex marriage is no condoned by the Catholic Church because it is not procreative. For people who do not understand that or have not received a formal, CAtholic education...The Church basically said you can't have sexual intercourse or be married to a member of the same sex because it doesnt create human life, i.e. no children. Slick move there, my Catholic brethren. I understand the sexual activities there since pre-marital sex is a no-no. What I'm focusing on is the love aspect of this. Basically, what the Church is saying is that marriage is for having children first and being in love second. Wait, what? It's not 1350 anymore! The concepts of marriage and love have changed!

I find this particularly contradictory to the Virtues I was thought as a child: Faith, Hope, Chartity and, the greatest of all, Love. Love. Lets meditate on that word...love. Love for family, friends, fellow humans...and your significant other. Jesus taught us to love, most importantly. After all, God did love us so that he gave his only, beloved Son.

So, I present this question...Why is it okay to love someone of the same sex in an emotional and sexual way, but not marry them? I mean, Jesus did say to love eachother before all else. Procreation is second to love. I am not going off the Old Testament or the writings that came after Jesus' teachings. I'm talking about Jesus' direct teachings. The Gospels.

So, I propose this question: Why is it ok to love a memeber of the same sex but it is not ok to be able to spend the rest of your life married to them? After all, Jesus said the most important is love. Also, think about this question, again, as someone with no bias. Someone that lives in a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people. Separation and Church and State...and, finally, as an equal nation.

That is just one exmaple of instituntionalized interpretations of Christ's teachings. It was not a romp about sexuality and such. It is one example that can be spoken for in a better clarity than a topic like abortion or creationism.

On a final opinion, I give my roommate's. I asked him the base question for this topic. HE said that the Church should be a guide. They should not have an influence one way or the other.

I propose one more question, this is my true, pure question...What is more important to you? Christ's teachings the you interpret on your own or teachings that have been institutionlized and could possible fullfil someone else's agenda. I'm not just questioning the Catholics, Evangelicals, or other Christians. This question goes out to everyone.

Now, please, remember this is just something to stimulate thought. I am not speaking for or against. I am just asking questions. I may have further topics similar to this.

Namaste,

Nick C.


[this may be subject to editing due to the long gaps in writing yime. I wrote this before lunch, before dinner, and after dinner...so...yeah]