We Need to Talk About This Meme

There's a meme that's been making it's way around some of my Facebook friends, and it goes a little something like this...

Now, I'm not going to sit here and say how offended I am by it. But I will sit here and describe in lengthy detail why I disagree with its subliminal anti-Catholic message.

Why do I say this meme is anti-Catholic? Because most of the things listed in this meme are specifically of Catholic origin. Specifically - Mary, Baptism, and the Pope.

This meme is obviously directed at sects of Christianity who consider themselves Saved because they accepted Jesus into their heart in a conscious decision, like a Born-Again Christian. That's cool and all, I won't degrade another's belief to push my own agenda, but I have a problem with the way it steps on Catholic beliefs to get its message across. (Disclaimer: I only speak from the Catholic perspective. I do not know the details of the beliefs of other Christian sects.)

And finally, let's take a look at the only Bible verse included in the meme. From the NASB translation found on my SheReadsTruth app, John 3:16 states "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

With that in mind, let's take a look at the Catholic perspective of everything on that wall.

Priest - These are the teachers, leaders, and sacrament providers of a church congregation. Catholics do not look to priests to save them, but merely guide their soul toward God. In this scenario, Jesus still does the saving.

Mary - I have been called a "Mary-worshiper." So let me just say - no, we do not worship Mary. We venerate her for making the decision to say Yes to God and bear His son. We revere her as one would revere their own mother. We respect her as one would respect a friend's mother. And we pray to her with the faith that she will be a messenger on our behalf. Even in The Hail Mary prayer, we ask that she "pray for us now, and in the hour of our death." We do not ask that she save us herself - we ask that she pray for us. In this scenario, Jesus still does the saving.

Baptism - Baptism is not only within Catholic doctrine. It spans other sects, as well - because sprinkling or immersing ourselves or our children in water is a way to reenact the one part of the Bible that is completely! dedicated! to! Baptism! Baptism in the Catholic sense is meant as an act that wipes the slate clean, as literally washing away our sins in an act of repenting. This alone does not save; rather, it acts as a type of cleansing to do in this physical realm before we meet with God. In this scenario, Jesus still does the saving.

Good works - Catholics don't believe that good works alone save - they are just things Christians do to act in a Christian way to spread God's love. Acting in a way Jesus would is one way to express our faith. In this scenario, Jesus still does the saving.

Church - The church is literally just a community of like-minded individuals regarding religion. We do not ask ourselves to save each other. In this scenario, Jesus still does the saving.

The Pope - The Pope is the head of the church in the metaphoric way of Peter, who was the rock of the church. Catholics do not look to him to save us - and no, we don't worship him, either. In this scenario, Jesus still does the saving.

Catholics believe that believing in Jesus is what saves. We believe that we are simultaneously saved and being saved, with the hope that we will be saved. [X]

tldr; It seems Christians spend more time in a my-love-for-Jesus-is-bigger contest than actually helping others, and this meme perpetuates the antagonistic attitude toward Catholics.

The Bibles in My TBR List

First off, I would like to say that it's not the amount of Bibles owned or read that makes a Christian, but the actions of the Christian as learned from the Bible. Secondly, I would like to add the disclaimer that each of these Bibles have come into my life in one way or another, and that's how I ended up with the amount of Bibles I currently have. All pictures are from Goodreads or their website of origin.

The Picture Bible, Iva Hoth - READ

I received this Bible in 1998 for my First Communion. I read this one in the span of a few weeks. At the time, I had not picked up a Bible in years, I had not gone to church in years, and I wanted to reintroduce myself to Christianity. This Bible consists of major Bible stories in comic book format, with the corresponding verses of the story listed at the beginning. It's a quick read, and easy to understand. For me, it gave meaning to the Old Testament, which was a confusing piece of literature for me. It helped put faces to names and truly imagine them. My only critique was the whitewashing - every character in this book was drawn as being white (specifically the epitome of beauty as the standard of the 80s), even though it's set in the Middle East. I counted three black men in the whole book - one servant and two Ethiopians. I would recommend this to anyone, including children - as long as a conversation about the handling of race accompanies the reading.

Holy Bible, NASB - CURRENTLY READING (with SheReadsTruth)

I recently downloaded the app SheReadsTruth to my iPhone, so now I can have the Bible wherever I go. I can search a Bible verse, make notes on specific verses, and bookmark favorites. The app also has available plans, and I got the free plan "The Bible in a Year." Since I started in February, I have some catching up to do. The reader can even pick which translation they want to read, which I love. It also shows the percentage of what you've read, and every reading has a comment section where readers can comment their meditations and thoughts on the specific readings. The company also has a male counterpart app called HeReadsTruth. This app is so convenient, as I read it while waiting for appointments, on my breaks, or before I go to bed.



Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible

I bought myself this Bible last October, when I realized I had never read the Bible. I wanted to present myself with a Bible as a formal way of reintroducing myself on my own journey. There are a lot of "I's" and "me's" in that previous sentence, but this was my way of asserting the independence of my new-found journey. Though, I had forgotten that I already owned this translation - it just had a different cover. But I had the old version since my times at a small Catholic high school, and the cover and pages had been wrinkled not from use, but from being in a backpack for so long. In my opinion, a new journey needed a new Bible. Little did I know that more Bibles would cross my path. I started reading it, but put it down for a later time.



Catholic Women's Bible NABRE - CURRENTLY READING (Bible study)

Both my best friend and I were looking for Bibles with excerpts that focused on women. There are so many women in the Bible that are overlooked, and we wanted to read about them. So this was the perfect solution - the Bible for the Catholic women. Thus, my friend and I are reading it as part of a two-person Bible study group. Interspersed throughout the Book are meditations and excerpts on what it means to be a Catholic woman, as it relates to women in the Scripture.



Saint Joseph New Testament

I bought this Bible - basically consisting only of the New Testament of the Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible - to keep in a drawer at my work desk. It's small, so it sits safely in the drawer next to my daily work items.



The Bible for Children: Simplified Living Bible Text - CURRENTLY READING

This one is especially important to me, as it was given to me by my late father when I was a toddler. When I read this Bible, I feel like I'm connecting with two fathers - the one that is in heaven and the one that is the King of heaven. This translation is unorthodox, as in it's paraphrased so children can understand the Word. This is perfect for me - since I'm new on this journey, I'm very much like a child in my faith. The verses still correspond to official translations, and nothing is left out.



Inspire Bible NLT

I am looking forward to reading this one. The cover is beautiful, imitation leather of my favorite color, and it has an elastic to hold it closed, as well as a matching ribbon. What makes this one so special to me is that it is one that has extra room in the margins for coloring with highlighters specifically for the Bible. Following the adult coloring trend, it looks like it has a mixture of blank space and bubbled letters and patterned verses to color in as a part of meditation. I can't wait to start this one, though I will wait until I'm done one of the other currently-being-read-Bibles.



Precious Moments Holy Bible NKJV - CURRENTLY READING (Bible study)

Most likely my first Bible, it was given to me by my mom and late father when I was a baby. The page at the front of the book states that it was presented by "Mom and Dad" - and that page is a place where the three of us will always be together. I realized a few months ago that I had never read it, and thought that I should start. I'm taking my time reading this one in another two-person Bible study group. It has Precious Moments pictures interspersed throughout the Book.

As I finish reading, I'll put these on my Goodreads shelf called "Bibles" - the link is in the sidebar. I am specifically reading different versions because I don't want to be confined to one translation. I love how Bibles feel in my hands, and I receive a feeling of peace and calm when I read. I have anxiety, and I have noticed that I have had less anxiety attacks since reading the Bible.

I'm looking forward to reading all of these, as each translation fits into my journey in unknown ways. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey.

How I Am a Pro-Choice Catholic

It's no secret that the Catholic doctrine is pro-life. But I'm pro-choice. In a way, this makes me an outsider of my own faith. How can I be a "true" Catholic if I'm pro-choice?

I was pro-life, once. I opened up an old journal I once tried to fill cover-to-cover with very-Christian poems, including a pro-life verse. A family member once made me picket on the corner of an intersection, holding pro-life signs in the name of "community service." During this time in my life, I went to a private Catholic high school, where the school would host guest speakers that spoke about abortion. These guest speakers would bombard our eyes with photos of aborted fetuses and bloody body parts, coupled with emotional stories of fetuses who survived the procedure and opened their mouths in silent screams of pain. And no one in their right mind wants to see a baby in pain, so who can blame my developing brain to becoming emotionally attached to this narrative?

But for the picture of a bloody, miniature body part, there is a picture of a woman dead from a botched abortion. I don't want to post one here, but Google "Gerri Santoro" if you don't believe me. Fair warning, it's a graphic photo of a graphic situation.

So, over time, I inched away from the emotional narrative and really thought about where I stood on the debate spectrum. Was I really pro-life, as I had been taught? Weren't the pro-choicers evil baby killers who wanted to destroy new life as a form of birth control? Could I be pro-choice and still be a good person, a good Christian?

After a long time of careful consideration and thought, I realized I aligned with the pro-choice side of the debate. And I have my reasons, listed below.

1.) Pro-choice does not equal pro-abortion.

I do not agree with abortion. I personally think it is a scary procedure. I have never had one and I do not want one. But you know what else is scary? Not having control of your own life. And that is what many women face when they are pregnant against their will. I am pro-choice, meaning I support the woman's right to choose. These choices include abortion, adoption, and keeping the baby.

Need another example? I personally do not like guns, but I support the second amendment. I do not need to personally like or approve of an action, but I can respect someone else's right to that action.

The goings-on of another woman's womb is none of my business. I will support her choice, whatever it may be. But that does not mean I will like it. But here's the thing - my opinion does not matter when it comes to someone else's body.

2.) Romans 14:13.

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister."

This verse seems pretty straightforward to me. I will not judge someone's decision to have an abortion, or put their baby up for adoption, or whatever else they choose. Whatever choice they make is between them, their doctor, their deity of choice, and whomever else they want to include in the decision-making. While on one hand, this verse may be interpreted as a caution against leading another to sin (stumbling block), this verse may also be interpreted as a caution against obstructing someone's path (obstacle). I will not be an obstacle to someone else's choices just because I disagree with them.

Speaking of the Bible, it never states when life is actually started. While the Catholic doctrine states that life is "from womb to tomb," the Bible itself continuously states that life begins with the breath of the Holy Spirit, the breath of life. From this perspective, a fetus would stop being a parasite (of the scientific definition) and start its life when it takes its first breath outside of the womb.

3.) Life VS. choice is a relatively new argument.

This debate did not become politicized until the 60s and 70s. But abortion has been around for centuries. Mainly, it seems to be a tactic by politicians to gain voters on both sides of the issue.

4.) Illegal abortion does not mean no abortion.

If abortion were to be made illegal tomorrow, it would not magically disappear. Abortion as an act would revert to how it was done in the early twentieth century, when women had to go to dingy back alleys, dirty basements, or disgusting apartments to get the procedure done. Women died from these unsanitary practices. If abortion were to be made illegal tomorrow, sanitary standards would be a thing of the past and more women would be dying than ever before. And supporting this "collateral" does not sound very pro-life to me. I want a woman who chooses abortion to have the sanitary environment available, so she would be safer than if she had gone to the dirty alley. If she's going to make the decision, she deserves to be safe.

5.) Humanity's free will.

Christianity is built on the belief that God gave humanity free will. He knew full well that the human race would be a sinful one, and yet He chose to give humanity the freedom to choose anyway. That sounds pretty pro-choice to me.

It baffles me that the word "pro-life" is only used in the context of abortion. Many of the "pro-life" crowd also seem to be "pro-war" (in my experience). If someone is really pro-life, wouldn't they be fighting to get people to stop smoking and drinking, since the body is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)? The same question and citation goes for a healthier food supply, a healthier planet, and an end to various genocides and injustices. The pro-life movement had the opportunity to really bring forth a great movement to improve life, and yet it is a movement dedicated to judging and condemning others over something that is never explicitly mentioned in the Bible.

And that is why I am pro-choice. Because otherwise, to me, it seems counterproductive.

On Lovingkindness

Last week, I downloaded the free app SheReadsTruth - an app that contains different translations of the Bible for reading the Word on the go (they have a male counterpart, HeReadsTruth, also available). It also has a free plan for reading the Bible in a year, of which I started reading last week, and have been playing catch-up with the NASB translation.

Throughout my reading, I keep coming across the word 'lovingkindness.' It's dotted throughout the readings, and it jumps out at me every time.

Lovingkindness. Lovingkindness. Lovingkindness.

At first glance, I can guess from contextual analysis that it is a feeling deeper than kindness - a kindness that is loving. A step further than just showing a kind demeanor. There must be some kind of love behind the act.

On further research (read: a Google search) I discovered that lovingkindness is actually the opposite of what I thought - not kindness with love, but love with kindness - specifically, "a form of love characterized by acts of kindness" (x). In Hebrew, it is known as chesed; in Buddhism, it is known as Mettā.

I will have to meditate on why this word keeps jumping out at me. I find it intriguing that this word is a synthesis of two beautiful words, which mean something greater when combined. Maybe it means I should focus on how I show my love. I am a writer, so I am more inclined to show my love with words rather than actions - texts, proclamations, and sayings - but actions speak louder than words. I will have to do some soul searching with this one.

My Lenten Promises

I gave up fast food for Lent - as in, I gave up restaurants with drive-thrus. McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Arby's, Sonic, Popeye's - I could go on. And I have given them all up. I gave up fast food as a motion to withdraw from gluttony and sloth, to aid in my fasting, and plant a seed to live a healthier lifestyle. Lately, I have found that I've been spending a lot of money and mealtime on fast food because it is convenient. This is a challenge for me, as I love fast food. But I guess that's what Lent is all about.

And on the first night of Lent, I dreamed I was looking at a greasy cheeseburger.

I have also promised to do something for Lent - I'm a big believer in doing something for Lent either as well as or instead of giving something up. My Catholic high school was a big advocate for this, and the thought process stuck. In fall last year, I found the little gem "Lenten Meditations: Growing in Friendship with God" by William A. Barry, S.J. Each page is a little blurb about a friendship with God, to be read on the corresponding days of Lent. At the end of Lent, I will post a review of it with my favorite quotes.

And of course, no meat on Fridays or the holy days are a must.

Even back when I wasn't practicing the faith, I still held Lent in high regard. I've always loved this somber time of year - a time for reflection and awareness and mindfulness and sacrifice.

I write this blog post not to boast of what I'm doing for Lent, but to put my promises in writing. I have already made it a private commitment - but there's something about a public promise and keeping things in writing that I, as a writer, love.

Why I Use the Term "Catholic-Christian"

I am a Catholic, and I am a Christian. An overwhelming amount of articles and op-eds are revealed in a Google search that say things like "Catholics aren't Christians" and "Catholicism is a fake religion."

Um. No.

Christianity is an umbrella term for any sect of Jesus-believing religion. Under the term 'Christianity,' there are the Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, and Restorationists, to name the major categories. Guess what's included? Catholicism.

I have been made fun of in the past for my religion. I have been told that I'm a "Mary-worshiper" and that "I'm going to hell" for my beliefs.

And I'm not going to justify my Catholicism. I am Catholic, and as such, I am a Christian.

I'll put it another way; the three main monotheistic religions are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. And guess which one Catholicism is a part of? Christianity. Since my religion is a part of Christianity, I am a Christian.

People need to get off their high horses. The Bible literally says to seek Jesus, not the Bible: "'You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me...'" (John 5:39). Those who seek and believe in Jesus are Christians. The Catholic, the Lutheran, the Presbyterian, the Baptist. All Christian.

But you know what's not a Christian thing to do? Defining someone else's religion based on your own prejudices. I don't think that's what Jesus would do.

This is why I don't mind reading translations of the Bible that aren't strictly Catholic. I'm currently reading the NAB, the NASB, the NKJV, and the Simplified Living Bible Text (a children's paraphrased Bible that my late father gave me when I was a kid). And I have pre-ordered a Bible that is the New Living Translation. That, to me, is a comfortable mix of Catholic and non-Catholic canon.

Don't mind me, I'll just be making the sign of the cross with my rosary and statues and pretty stained glass windows.

I got my driver's license renewed on Ash Wednesday last year - and this is what happened!

*BRB - taking a moment to appreciate the Buzzfeed-esque title.*

Today is Ash Wednesday. Last year, Ash Wednesday fell on February 18th - and that was the day I renewed my driver's license to update my address. Since they took a new picture that day, my ashes were visible on my forehead for anyone who held my ID to see.

I did this as a test for myself.

First, I was embarrassed about it at the time. Even certain people in my life asked "Are you sure you want to get your driver's license renewed today?" with a look to the ashes on my forehead. And I almost didn't do it. But that's when I took it as a challenge - was I brave enough to stand behind my Christian identity?

Second, I wanted to exercise my rights. Regarding a driver's license, it is my right as a religious American to include a religious item in my ID picture. Honestly, I just wanted to see if I could do it. No one said a word, and it made me feel very American to exercise that right.

Almost a whole year later (on the same Christian day of observance), and I still have the ID today. I will continue to have this ID until it is time for me to renew it next year, when I change to my future married name. At first, I sheepishly handed over my ID whenever I was asked to see it - usually when I was buying alcohol - but as time progressed, I wasn't ashamed about my decision. I was/am a Catholic-Christian, and I had/have the right to portray it on my ID.

I did not do it to boast about my beliefs, nor did I do it for attention. I did it to prove to myself that I could re-commit to the religion I was just beginning to reconnect with. And everyone who has needed to see my ID to confirm my age thus far has been very polite about the Christian addition to the picture.

This time last year, I had just started putting my toes in the water where religion was concerned. I started speaking with a priest again, and I started to rethink my views on religion. Even though it wouldn't be until August when I started going to church regularly again, the seed had been planted. And I needed to do something to show that the seed would not be planted in vain.

Now, I'm happy I did it. I've learned that I am confident in my Catholic-Christian background, and indeed brave enough to wear ashes all year round (through a picture) and not just on Lent.

Introduction

This is not the first time I have attempted a blog about religion. About five years ago, I created a blog called "Are You There God? It's Me, Manda" as a space for me to reflect, post religious poems, et cetera. But it was difficult to keep up with, as I had not yet figured out what I truly believed.

I was raised and homeschooled in a conservative Catholic-Christian home, and I often felt that religion was forced upon me. In some occasions, religion was used against me as a tool of manipulation. My options were to either obey with a smile or live with the guilt of being "bad." By the time I entered a small Catholic high school, my first "Real School" experience, Catholicism was second nature to me. Throughout my life, I have received Baptism, First Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation (Hello, my name is Veronica).

I had to step away from religion for a little bit, in my college years. After a priest obtained my phone number and texted me a long message telling me why I needed to go to church, I had had enough. I stopped going to church, and I stopped thinking of religion entirely. As my grandma says, "I threw the baby out with the bath water." I picked up practices such as meditating with crystals, and researched Wicca. But no other belief system felt the same as the one of my roots.

I focused instead on my education and political stances. Until then, I thought being a conservative Republican was the only label I could be. But I am a naturally curious person, and wanted to know what truly was both sides of the story. I had always been told that all Democrats want to do is "raise taxes - that's it." But I was never told things like which class Democrats wanted to raise the taxes of (but that's another story). So I started researching and reading personal commentary. The internet became my teacher. I learned about stem cell research, abortion, marriage equality, and the importance of standing up to sexism, ageism, ableism, and racism.

After all this research, I claimed the label of feminist. When I first registered to vote, I did so as an Independent. But my heart is liberal. Who am I to judge someone else, when I am not God?

I am a Catholic. But I am also a liberal feminist. And these two categories have more in common than most would think. I have plenty of future blog posts in mind about this.

I chose to create this blog simply because I type faster than I write. This is my online journal about my religious views and how they intersect with my secular beliefs. If you happen to come across this blog by accident, then feel free to take a look around. I'm not here for views or followers or likes or whatever - I'm here for myself, for my relationship with God, and for other liberal Catholics who are told they are walking oxymorons.

I am currently reading four different Bibles - two with different Bible studies, one on my own, and a Bible-in-a-year challenge on my phone, most in different translations - and I have read one picture Bible (The Picture Bible, Iva Hoth). I have never before read the Bible in its entirety, and I intend to fix that. It's not about how many Bibles I am reading or have read; it's about the messages I find within them. And so far, I have found a God of love and acceptance, no matter what label is on your voting card.