Some Thoughts on Religion
WARNING!!! Strong religious opinions inside. If that makes you uncomfortable feel free to scroll down to the bottom and leave. This is the only warning.
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I grew up in a home with no particular church going ways. Off and on throughout my my childhood and teen years, I attended various churches and participated in the usual Sunday Schools, youth groups, bible studies, and summer activities. In my Senior year of high school, I joined a church and youth choir, and even went on tour to sing. I was quite content, or so I thought.
But then a year or so after I graduated, my father became deathly ill. All around me I heard how he must have done something bad in his life to be punished like that, we only get what we deserve, etc., etc. And how we are given only what we can handle. That soured me on church in general, but I still attended, when my schedule permitted. Then about ten years ago, I lost all respect for churches and religion. I was single and pregnant. Up until this time, my mother had been in charge of the church kitchen, handling the potlucks, weddings and whatever. But when it was made known about my situation, the powers that be decided that she wasn't good enough to do it any more. The hospital visits to my father dwindled and my family was generally shunned. What really made me angry and bitter was at the same time, the pastor's daughter was also single and pregnant. For her, the church went all out to give her a baby shower, and a bridal shower. Nothing for me.
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The years went by, and I still attended, once in awhile. And my feelings grew stronger as I watched the hypocrisy continue. Then 2 things happened which broke the camel's back. First was my father's memorial service. My youngest sister was asked not to sit with the family because her attire was not appropriate for the church. Who the fuck cared? Our father loves her for who she was, not what she wore. In a particularly bad time, that made matters worse. The second thing occured a year later. I was seven months pregnant and trying to plan a wedding. Well, the fucked up hypocrite who married his own daughter when she was pregnant, not only refused to marry me, but would not allow me to be married in his church. That was the final straw that broke the camel's back. Since then, I have been to a very few services, mostly funerals. My feelings haven't changes. I have no love for organised religion. It is my firm belief that I can worship whatever power that may be just as well on my own as I can by having someone else's rhetoric shoved down my throat by a bunch of hypocrites whose piousity is making me ill! One more thing, as far as the Bible goes, it is a book, written by men, translated by men, and interpreted by men. Who says that all the stuff really happened or perhaps someone just had a fantastic imagination? Well, as usual I welcome comments, questions and ideas. Just don't tell me I am wrong, because these are my opinions, and this is my page!
