Reply #52: I know the feeling

[fenderbender89]

Being confirmed as a Catholic two years ago, I still recall the letters my grandparents wrote to me prior to the ceremony, the pride in their words on the page made me feel uncomfortable for I had always questioned many of the things taught to me all throughout childhood. It was a family obligation and I had no say in the matter, so it did not bother me in the way it may bother others. Though this is what has to be kept in mind in matters such as these, an obligation is an obligation and God cannot punish one who performs one against his will, even in His Church.

Yet over time the vows, though not made to the fullest of my conviction, started to make more sense to me. I belive the cornerstone of all organized religion, especially Catholicism, is to love your fellow man and to practice charity, regardless of any oaths or other rituals conjured up by men. You know as well as any Catholic that ritual is a big part of the Church, yet to focus solely on the ritualistic aspect of any religion as opposed to the spiritual one is missing the point of that religion.