Topic one: In retrospect, I don't write enough about meaningful topics. I think the purpose of diary/journal is to keep track of changes in the way I think about things. So far all I've really been writing about is what's happening at the moment and about my small problems. Which leads to..
Topic two: Just before leaving for break, I was sitting with some friends in our study room procrastinating (it was finals week), and the topic of crazy politicians came up. (Oh no.. See where this is going?) The conversation kept going and we arrived at watching this abomination:
"Well he does have a point, kinda." My friend said. It was quite shocking to hear, even coming from one of the most conservative US states. First off, there's nothing wrong with homosexuality, whether in the military or civilian life. It's natural, and as with any sexual orientation, is realized at around puberty. Second, there is no government "war on religion" and this country was not founded on a base of faith. Most of the early presidents even refused an official religious affiliation until after leaving office. Furthermore, students are free to celebrate whatever religious holiday they please within schools. Just the other day on campus, some guy passed out a flyer for his Christian fellowship's Christmas party to me. What's prohibited is school administration requiring celebration of a specific holiday. Third, the government is supposed to mandate a separation of church and state, meaning any kind of religious message really has no place in a campaign for political office.
Anyway, when I asked why, my friend cited religious convictions as her reason to oppose homosexuality. She is far from intolerant, she simply "disagrees with the lifestyle." So be it. I can respect her decision. We started talking more about faith though. We actually sat down and had a civil discussion about our individual beliefs. It began and ended peacefully: not like the internet "comments" section of a warzone I had expected to break out. This was the first time I felt comfortable really discussing how I feel about religion.
I was born into a strongly Catholic family. My parents had me baptized into the church and I've experienced most of the church's sacraments, including Confirmation. I've always taken a Buddhist influence and more often identify as Buddhist or multifaith. I'm not happy in the church. When I go to mass with my parents, I see people going to worship a story, not to improve themselves as people. I don't believe in a literal God able to intervene in the universe at will. And if he exists, I don't want to believe in the God that declaimed against homosexuals and allowed the holy crusades to happen.
I do have more thoughts on this subject, but this post is already long and I need more time to put those thoughts into words, so they will go on a future post.
