December 22, 2008
Amazing
I admit, I'm usually one of those people who is instantly critical of any kind of fundamentalist Christian sect. I'm nominally Catholic -- well, I guess I'm more than just nominally Catholic. I go to mass fairly regularly, take the Eucharist, sing the songs, recite the prayers, have nightly review sessions of my days, sessions that God is usually invited to listen to. I've just never been so public with my faith. I feel like I'm judged too harshly if I speak openly and positively about religion. I feel like people automatically take me for uneducated or misinformed if I place confidence in issues that are solely based on faith. If people become aware of my occasional religious tendencies, I just assume people think I'm ignorant, uninformed, and utterly ridiculous.
I'm not those things, and yet I still have faith in a greater power. I can't even wrap my mind around the complexity of an ultimate creator and I love that. Sometimes its nice not to have an answer for everything, to explain away each and everything. Recently, I've had to deal with things that have been hard, things I can't comprehend or understand. I can't explain why a young person's live was ended so suddenly, nor I can I explain or understand the severity of some illnesses, but I can say that the time I've spent contemplating these things has been made better because I realize that I can't possibly have all the answers. I'm not meant to know, or to stress, but I am meant to help the people around me who need my assistance. God is more about love than anything else. To love someone or something means one invests all that they have into that relationship, not only based on what they know, but on what they don't know, based on hopes for the future will bring for them, and on blind faith and trust.
Today at the memorial service, the pastor recited 1 Corinthians 13:13, one of the few verses from the Bible I recognize time and again, but also one of my favorites: "Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." I don't feel that humans are capable to give all of their love to God, well, at least directly. We're not divine, and we don't have nor will we ever have the capacity to do as God does. But if we live as decent human beings, we are doing as God wishes. If we love and care for one another, if we place other's needs before our own, if we think about what we can honestly contribute to better serve the greater good, then we are loving and are living within God's desires for mankind. None of these ideas are overtly religious -- I just really think they get down to the core of human nature and human emotion.
The human brain is the most complex thing on the planet. The faculties that we possess cannot possibly compared with any other organic being. We judge, criticize, analyze, imagine, invent, inspire people with what we produce in our minds. We have the potential to challenge ideas, rationalize or discount theories or suggestions. The way humans think and act truly has changed the world, both for the good and the bad. We are unique beings, every single one, and we are not all meant to think a certain way. We can't all agree on a common language, form of currency, political system, family structure, breakfast cereal, because overanalysis gets in the way. At the end of the day, these are not important. What is important, however, is what do decide to value. Love, friendship, companionship, camaraderie, and generosity are universally celebrated and accepted truths. Forget about every petty thing, and this is what we're left with. I'm sure people could give multiple reasons as to why we as a species hold these values so dear. I decide to believe that it comes from something greater than us all, God.
So there. I'm finally open about it all. Let me assure you, I'm educated, informed, and my blood runs as blue as anyone else's on the left side of the aisle. I like to think that there's something waiting for me after this life is over. Whatever it may be is not for me to completely understand, and I like it that way.
I'm not those things, and yet I still have faith in a greater power. I can't even wrap my mind around the complexity of an ultimate creator and I love that. Sometimes its nice not to have an answer for everything, to explain away each and everything. Recently, I've had to deal with things that have been hard, things I can't comprehend or understand. I can't explain why a young person's live was ended so suddenly, nor I can I explain or understand the severity of some illnesses, but I can say that the time I've spent contemplating these things has been made better because I realize that I can't possibly have all the answers. I'm not meant to know, or to stress, but I am meant to help the people around me who need my assistance. God is more about love than anything else. To love someone or something means one invests all that they have into that relationship, not only based on what they know, but on what they don't know, based on hopes for the future will bring for them, and on blind faith and trust.
Today at the memorial service, the pastor recited 1 Corinthians 13:13, one of the few verses from the Bible I recognize time and again, but also one of my favorites: "Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." I don't feel that humans are capable to give all of their love to God, well, at least directly. We're not divine, and we don't have nor will we ever have the capacity to do as God does. But if we live as decent human beings, we are doing as God wishes. If we love and care for one another, if we place other's needs before our own, if we think about what we can honestly contribute to better serve the greater good, then we are loving and are living within God's desires for mankind. None of these ideas are overtly religious -- I just really think they get down to the core of human nature and human emotion.
The human brain is the most complex thing on the planet. The faculties that we possess cannot possibly compared with any other organic being. We judge, criticize, analyze, imagine, invent, inspire people with what we produce in our minds. We have the potential to challenge ideas, rationalize or discount theories or suggestions. The way humans think and act truly has changed the world, both for the good and the bad. We are unique beings, every single one, and we are not all meant to think a certain way. We can't all agree on a common language, form of currency, political system, family structure, breakfast cereal, because overanalysis gets in the way. At the end of the day, these are not important. What is important, however, is what do decide to value. Love, friendship, companionship, camaraderie, and generosity are universally celebrated and accepted truths. Forget about every petty thing, and this is what we're left with. I'm sure people could give multiple reasons as to why we as a species hold these values so dear. I decide to believe that it comes from something greater than us all, God.
So there. I'm finally open about it all. Let me assure you, I'm educated, informed, and my blood runs as blue as anyone else's on the left side of the aisle. I like to think that there's something waiting for me after this life is over. Whatever it may be is not for me to completely understand, and I like it that way.
Katy
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Active Discussion
Jeff Micklos • December 22nd 2008 • Reply
Faith, hope and love.
For some time now, I have held these three feelings above everything else because I think everything boils down to them; they are really all that we need.
A lot of people get instantly turned off when they hear the word "faith" because of it's religious connotation. When I speak about or reference faith I don't mean it to have a religious context. Faith in anything is all we need, even just faith to open the door when you don't know what is behind it. And if someone's faith is within God, more power to them.
I think you will be awfully surprised with how many people share your views in these parts of the internet...
Chris Jack • December 22nd 2008 • Reply
yup, this is a great great post. I can't tell you how often these exact thoughts go through my head.
Katy • December 22nd 2008 • Reply
I wouldn't say I'm surprised that people share my views, but I think it be surprising to see who actually admits to it. I don't think people should be afraid to be open about religion, but that's just what happens.
I agree, a belief in "God" is not necessary because God is such an abstract thing that can't be fully comprehended or described. I don't know if there is a God, but I believe that there is. And like I said before, it doesn't matter. Live your life as a good and honest person, love every human being as you love yourself, and in my book you're just as good of a person as anyone else. Thanks for the comments -- it took a lot for me to spill all this and I'm glad it's well received :)
Chris Jack • December 22nd 2008 • Reply
haha, I really think Katy should watch "What the bleep do we know"
I really love that video, people think its kinda crazy but there are some good points in it about God and religion that I think you would really appreciate.
Katy • December 22nd 2008 • Reply
Yeah, I'll definitely give it a look. Where can I find it?
Chris Jack • December 22nd 2008 • Reply
you can probably find it at Target, don't buy it though. I can let you borrow it, I'll give it to Gina or something sometime, unless you are coming to the Christmas party.
Its kinda confusing at parts because you have to read more about or have someone explain it to you to understand what they are saying.
Anyway, I'll try and get it to you sometime if I can remember.