Jesus and Buddha

[calliopeo]

I've been contemplating recently whether I'm a Christian, and what that means. I know that the rituals, songs, and prayers in my heart are Christian, specifically Roman Catholic. I gave them up for politics, not "mere" politics, but a fundamental, deep down knowledge that I could no longer support this institution by halves. I basically do not

Comments

[theatricaltoy]

The sense of community was one of the things I missed most when I went to college. Like you I was very serious about my faith. I taught religion, sang in the youth choir, performed the readings at 10:30 mass, was an alter server (first female in the Rochester diocese, thank you very much), helped lead the youth group and at one time planned on continuing a life of religious leadership. Then I went to college, and learned more about what it meant to be Catholic. The guilt of it squished me, but eventually I left the church. Eventually I found that I didn't need religion to find that community. Eventually I found that I couldn't believe in a mono-theist or a poly-theist, or any theist religion. Eventually I found that not being of a religion did not negate my life and that not being of a religion had nothing to do with leading a good life. IS something missing? At times I think it so. I've not yet determined what that may be. But I do know that no matter who I am and what I believe in now, it does not negate the powerful

[calliopeo]

In many ways, my path has been surprisingly painless--I've drifted into and out of organized spirituality with little pain and few consequences. My parents have been accepting, I've moved every time I changed religious communities, El Ministro will love me no matter what, and overall any storm and fury I've create is all in my head.

It's nice to know I'm not the only person who is a former Catholic, not a recovering one.