If you just happened to stumble on this post, you might be wondering why is it that all of the sudden I've found it a good idea to discuss on the social taboos on my blog, and well... I'm wondering this much myself.

Some context for good measure

Truth be told there is something valid about the expression "Culturally Religious". I've found it to be quite a common trait among us fellow humans. There are in my family alone dozens of people who even though they call themselves Catholic, the follow none of the inconvenient rules. (fish on Fridays? oops)

This is not to say they don't appreciate the tradition, but throughout the years, some of these practices haven fallen by the wayside, so to speak.

I say this only to premise that I too was raised culturally religious. My family, with just a few exceptions, are all catholic, and they perform all the ceremonies that in the belief system are not optional. (baptism, first communion, confirmation, etc)

If you are wondering if I've participated of the rituals, the answer would be yes, but as with other members of my family and friends, it kind of stopped there.

As time goes by

Most of us get exposed to other belief systems, other cultures, and even some radical anti-establishment voices who tend to dominate the loud speakers at times.

I find it important, if not crucial that everyone at some point in time exists their bubble, their cultural norm, to not only gain perspective, but to develop real appreciation and tolerance. But, I digress.

It would be impossible for me to pinpoint the exact moment when I completely got off the belief system train, but I can remember moments, specific ones, when I faced uncomfortable realizations about it.

Learning why some traditions began in the first place, can really make you question if you should observe, or even respect them at all, If I'm to be honest.

and here is where I stand these days.

Respect?

I'm not trying to say that I'm writing an entry on this blog to caveat future altercations that I may have with people. As if I would send them an URL right after our conflict had officially began or something.

What I'm trying to say is that the word respect does not have the same meaning to everyone as I thought it should. It's not an obvious thing after all.

Why do I say this? Well... Respecting your belief system does not mean I find you to be correct, or that I will follow your specific rules. I may respect that you don't work on the Sabbath, and hence would not show up unannounced at your place, but nobody should expect me to act in the same manner.

I can listen to someone tell me a story about how God helped them overcome a problem, and how God is to be praised for all that is good. But I can't be expected to believe what you say to be accurate or even fair.

Using an specific example, I rather thank a Doctor who performed the operation, than someone's version of a Deity. And, to be told, aggressively at times, that it was GOD who worked through the Doctor, always makes me bite my tongue in mild anger.

Anyone is entitled to believe in a God of love that helped you, or a family member overcome cancer, find a parking spot, or get a new job. I'm not trying to deny anyone the right to believe anything. But along the same lines, nobody should expect or even demand that I believe the same thing.

In other words, I can't accept that version of God and juxtapose it with the World I live in, a world of hunger, of war, of cancer, that no doubt has beautiful things to offer too, but we can't the deny the obvious darkness.

MenO