The Dilemma
Two weeks ago, we went to my little cousin's first communion. He is a year older than my son, and we took him to the party afterwards. Jonathan, as any inquisitive little boy would do, asked about communion -- what it is and why people go. I explained to him what communion meant to Christians and how important it was.
Jonathan decided he wanted his own communion.
Herein lies the dilemma. Jonathan has been in church a total of twice. He went on his baptism --something we decided to do to satisfy others. He went one other time. We have sheltered Jonathan from all religion. And with good reason.
I've written it before that more people have killed and been killed because of religion than anything else. Muslims have murdered Christians. Christians have murdered Muslims. Buddhists have overpowered Shamans. Jews have been persecuted everywhere. And even they have a history of violence against others.
I believe religion is bad. There is nothing that religion can give you that you cannot get elsewhere. By choosing a religion, you are choosing membership in an organization that has murdered, stolen, enslaved and put down the masses.
This is not a philisophical inquest into the existence of a being greater than ourselves. I do not question whether there is a God. I also do not question someone else's belief in such. I do, however, take exception to the notion that human beings -- many of whom are far more cruel and inhuman than I -- can set guidelines as to how I am supposed to believe.
But my son wants a communion.
Do I let him?
When he asked me if he could have a communion, we were passing the United Church of Christ in Milford. I remembered a commercial (why, I have no idea) about the UCC about their acceptance of homosexuals into their congregation. Without thinking, I told him that if he really wants to have a communion, it could only be in that church. I knew I could never allow myself or my family to enter into a church that excludes. Catholicism, the religion of my youth, is not an option.
Still, I am torn about this.
Is it the right thing to do to join a church whose very existence I question? Is it better to alienate him from others by protecting him from religion? And would I ever accept myself in that same community?
Most importantly, what is best for my son?
Jonathan decided he wanted his own communion.
Herein lies the dilemma. Jonathan has been in church a total of twice. He went on his baptism --something we decided to do to satisfy others. He went one other time. We have sheltered Jonathan from all religion. And with good reason.
I've written it before that more people have killed and been killed because of religion than anything else. Muslims have murdered Christians. Christians have murdered Muslims. Buddhists have overpowered Shamans. Jews have been persecuted everywhere. And even they have a history of violence against others.
I believe religion is bad. There is nothing that religion can give you that you cannot get elsewhere. By choosing a religion, you are choosing membership in an organization that has murdered, stolen, enslaved and put down the masses.
This is not a philisophical inquest into the existence of a being greater than ourselves. I do not question whether there is a God. I also do not question someone else's belief in such. I do, however, take exception to the notion that human beings -- many of whom are far more cruel and inhuman than I -- can set guidelines as to how I am supposed to believe.
But my son wants a communion.
Do I let him?
When he asked me if he could have a communion, we were passing the United Church of Christ in Milford. I remembered a commercial (why, I have no idea) about the UCC about their acceptance of homosexuals into their congregation. Without thinking, I told him that if he really wants to have a communion, it could only be in that church. I knew I could never allow myself or my family to enter into a church that excludes. Catholicism, the religion of my youth, is not an option.
Still, I am torn about this.
Is it the right thing to do to join a church whose very existence I question? Is it better to alienate him from others by protecting him from religion? And would I ever accept myself in that same community?
Most importantly, what is best for my son?
posted by E-Luv at 2:10 PM
2 Comments:
Great site lots of usefull infomation here.
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I feel the exact same way. My father was raised Roman Catholic. He was an Alter boy, Catholic school still 12th grade, - the whole bit. He chose to shield my brother and I from it's brainwashing, hypocritical ways. A bit strong -sorry to offend — but opinions are like A-holes, right?
My thought is this: religion is something inate. You either feel it or you don't. Exposure to it only creates questions and a possible desire to seek answers, but it will not make you have faith. Perhaps when your son learns that receiving communion will most likely entail attending classes, studying, memorizing and somewhat "performing" at the altar, he may change his mind.
Good luck! It's a personal choice!
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