A is for Apostate. Apostate, a deflector of religion. It does not have to be specific to religion, but in this case, it is. And here is why...
I was raised a catholic, and I'm Mexican You don't have to be a Catholic to be Mexican, and you don't have to be Mexican to be a Catholic, but in my house, the two went hand in hand. And you will often hear/read my self definition as a cultural Catholic. Customs and culture intertwined with Catholicism, and I am supremely grateful to my mother for forcing me to learn the rosary by heart. Te amo mami.
But here is where my word comes in to play.
Being a Christian/Catholic, there are these values that are thrown around, displayed on American media, raped and distorted for political agendas. Christianity, Jesus, family values are words that are now used to ensure that the interest of conservative political thugs are "protected" and their enemies right's stripped. I had no idea that Christian America was under attack. (SARCASM).
A joke was recently made, a comparison if you will, in regards to the coming out of Tim Tebow as a Christian, and Jason Collins as a gay man. The former was seemingly criticized and told to keep his comments while the latter is hailed as a hero. And it bothers many that the American media had portrayed the two differently. Lets get something straight, we are living in United States, the land of the free worship, as long as its a Christian denomination. Jason Collins' coming out is and will be viewed as heroism so long as the rights of the LGBT community are continually and blatantly oppressed.
And here is why I am an apostate. My beliefs, my orientation, my religion, and my culture, will never supersede the basic, inalienable rights of the citizens of this country. Those religious convictions, they were merely a building frame to the awesome that I am today. Being a good person, a righteous person comes from the relationships, experiences of the years that pass. I do not care what some archaic book says in the first half about smiting the sodomites, because there is a whole lot of bullshit in their about marrying a few and dying over blended cloth. Not to mention that I am a sinner, multiple times over. I have not always honored my mother, and I have wished for things that another person possessed. I love my God, and believes he loves us all, but have also cursed him and asked him "why!?"
So no, I am not a good catholic, I am not a good follower of the church. I am an apostate.
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I love it, very eloquent. Very true!
ReplyDeleteThanks...it was revised because I got really mean for a while.
DeleteI wrote a paper once arguing for why gay marriage should be allowed in Christian churches. I am aware that it is done in some denominations, but not even close to all. I simply cannot bring myself to believe in a faith that does not treat all humans equally. I would not classify myself as an athiest, but agnostic, yes.
ReplyDeleteCheers from B at http://brandysbustlings.blogspot.ca/
There is a Catholic Church by my home that hosts gay friendly masses. Its awesome when you find treasures like that among what is seemingly a hostile culture. I know not everyone feels that way. Thanks for reading.
DeleteI like you. As a Wiccan and avid Gay Rights supporter, I agree with so much you had to say. And I wish more Christians were like you. Y'know, open minded, forgiving, all that stuff the Bible says you're supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the challenge!
-The Insomniacs Dream
Thank for you the kind words! And for reading! I consider myself fortunate to live in a place that is pretty liberal and accepting. My boyfriend and I often talk about raising our kids in the gay friendly Catholic Church that is very close to our home. I think are more kind and all welcoming Christians, out there, its the ones that have influence and power that are in the minority...or so I want to believe.
Delete