Writing a blog about religion is not easy. One can get too cosy with the foolish idea that once one can spew out all the facts on a religion, one becomes very righteous. I have seen some scary Catholic bloggers who are so full of themselves, quoting every canonical laws (which by now, I am stil not sure what they are), every saints’ life story, names the Popes’ names from St. Peter to Pope Benedict and they can even write in Latin! (eg. of one blogger I dissed before) I had seen a couple of blogs that have so many old paintings from the Michaelangelo era, their blogs look like a Chinese temples. Serious. They have it as their banners, their sidebars, buttons and footer.
So, the last few days, I admit that I can be a pain in the arse with some of my very Christian-y thoughts. I am not apologetic over them, of course, but I do know that I grate on some nerves because of what I insisted to be my belief.
I don’t want to end up being the total moron who thinks she is always right with her Catholic beliefs. Yet, I do not want to be a spineless Catholic who doesn’t know where I stand, with no facts to back up my views.
I went to church yesterday evening, more to pray for my relative who is dipping fast in his health. And also to gather my thoughts if I am being a little over assertive to the extend of being hostile. The Gospel reading was from Mark. (I cannot find where my English Bible is, so let me quote off my Al-Kitab, it is not a crime to quote Bahasa Melayu Bible verses, yes?)
Orang yang tidak melawan kamu, berpihak kepada kamu
Yesus berkata kepada Yohanes dan pengikut-Nya yang lain, ‘Jangan larang dia, kerana orang yang tidak melawan kamu perpihak kepada kamu.’
Jesus said that ‘Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us’ and the priest asked us a very challenging question. Can we accept that whoever does things for the good of this world, is part of us eventhough they may not profess the same faith as us? Can we? Are we able to be tolerant to others, recognise that their ways may not agree with ours and yet, their intention is for the good of the people? Or are we going to continue bickering over the little details, picking verses from our Holy Book and argue over them?
It is a good reminder to me to stay chill and spend less time trying to proof anything and just do something useful. God doesn’t need us to defend Him.
Lastly, thank God for priests who make sense.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
It is not wrong for others to do good to those around them. But it would be better if the rationale for “why do good in the first place” is understood
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
‘Faith’ seems more like a definition of believing in a Supreme Being rather than a grouping, and then ‘doing good’ should be defined as being acts which are non-destructive, positive, and of mutual benefit for all. Everything else seems rather superficial and more in form (that means for show only) rather than substance.
And yes, the Supreme Being doesn’t need us to defend Him, and I also thank Him for leaders who make sense.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Let the air we breathe be spiced with love and more love…