Do you practice religion? – Another personal question that I’m not really interested in, but will answer regardless.
I have my beliefs. I was raised Catholic. I rarely go to church. I would not say I’m a practicing Catholic in the traditional sense, but I try to be one each day in the world. I have disagreements with the Catholic church which puts me at odds with other Catholics at times.
And I think the way they handled the abuse issue is disgusting. And they wonder why they lose parishioners.
I try my best each day. But a supposed very religious person once told me I’m going to hell. Kind of strange though, because I know his past transgressions are far more egregious and how we live and care for our fellow man today, I feel I also have an edge on him. So maybe I’ll have company.
I see a lot of religious people marching to their services but then behaving badly the rest of the week. Lots of people, even powerful leaders claim to be working for God but doing things counter to his teachings. Even those standing in pulpits of these mega churches apparently are far from who they pretend to be.
Personally, I’m trying to sort it out still. Just trying to do the right thing and make the right decisions.
Church in New Market Maryland. Photo by Mike Hartley
While I was shooting this church yesterday one of the thoughts that has been on my mind is the separation of Church and State in this country. I’m not sure these lines won’t try to be blurred in the coming years. I think that is dangerous.
Politics has been active in our churches in the last few decades unlike I recall in my youth. I have some differences with the faith I was raised in, which has led to far less participation in the traditional sense. And I believe it’s also a reason church attendance has dropped off. Politics, stances on abortion rights and some unforgivable transgressions have fractured churches in my opinion.
Sykesville Maryland. Photo by Mike Hartley
You have these mega-churches supporting rich and famous lifestyles for their leaders and wielding great political influence. Therefore more power and more money. I don’t get the following of these television preachers. Again my personal opinion is that they talk the talk but I’m not sure they walk the walk.
I probably should have stayed away from this topic but it’s coming to a head anyway. I try to respect all faiths and I respect those who chose not to practice any faith. I have a very good friend who is an atheist and he acts a lot more Christian than some who pretend to be.
Maybe if people referred to the words found in their faith they might be a lot more accepting and helpful of and for each other.
I think I remember a phrase I heard some time ago. Our strength is in our differences. Forcing school prayer of one or any faith is wrong IMHO.
Do you practice religion? – Wow this question from the Daily Writing prompt is getting into dangerous areas.
No not in the old traditional sense anymore. In my way, yes. I was raised Catholic but I’m no longer a regular practicing Catholic. I have too many issues with that church now.
Faith is an individual thing and I won’t judge others on theirs just as I hope others won’t judge me but unfortunately, that doesn’t always work out that way. I once had a close friend who told me I was going to hell because of the way I thought. He’s no longer a friend.
These televangelist preachers also make me sick. Money is all they are interested in. The same, with some big organized churches. They are businesses. I’m not criticizing the people in these organizations who do the good work of helping others. I’m focusing on greed and preaching one thing and living another life.
Top of the old church. St Louis Catholic in Clarksville. I went to school here from kindergarten through 5th grade. Photo by Mike Hartley
I like the architecture of churches in the area. It’s another project I hope to start documenting this coming year. No specific focus on any religion, just the buildings that some still worship in. Some of the architecture is very interesting.
I’m also sitting here thinking given the state of things that taking pictures with that Nikon with the big zoom on it might attract negative attention. So I might use the cell phone on this task more. Hopefully, I might run into some nice people along the way. But also prepared for the extremists and paranoid.
United Methodist Church along Bethany Lane. Photo by Mike Hartley
Too bad we can’t talk about religion. Seems to be both a source of salvation and pain at the same time. Wars are being fought in the name of religion. Abortion and pedophile priest discussions could incite riots.
Tolerance for different religions seems to be at an all-time low. I believe the trend in young people away from religion has grown and continues. My views and practices have changed greatly over the decades.
Money and religion – it’s so intricately linked that some churches are all about the almighty $ instead of their almighty.
I have a best friend who is an atheist, I have another best friend who has strong beliefs, and his son-in-law is a preacher. I probably fall in between them. We all get along great and always have. Mainly because we respect each other first and respect that we have different views. But the most common thing is that we carry ourselves a lot alike in terms of our devotion to people, compassion, love, empathy, support, charity, and hope.
On the other hand, I’ve been told that because I don’t believe as someone else I’m going to hell. Actually, by someone I’d known for decades. Their belief structure changed over time and somehow I was now judged by far different criteria than in our past relationship.
I’ve gone to many beginning and end-of-life services. In many different churches and beliefs. In them, I have celebrated and grieved with many different people. We come together no matter our background at these times. Why can’t we continue it in our day-to-day lives?
Random Thoughts of the Day
It’s good to have a team in life.
I find myself more in the holiday spirit than in previous years.
Medicare is complicated.
Writing and meaningful writing are two different things.
The problem is not the government. It’s who we are electing to execute it.
