I was raised Catholic and taught it was a mortal sin if you didn’t go to church every Sunday. For those who are not familiar with types of sin in the Catholic Church, Wikipedia defines mortal sin as “…wrongful acts that condemn a person to Hell after death if un-forgiven. These sins are considered ‘mortal’ because they constitute a rupture in a person's link to God's saving grace: the person's soul becomes ‘dead’, not merely weakened. A mortal sin does not usually mean a sin that cannot be repented; even after a mortal sin there is a chance for repentance.” Basically, you must confess these sins and be forgiven or you’re going to Hell.
Venial Sins, on the other hand, are defined as being less
serious. A venial sin meets at least one of the following criteria:
1.
It does not concern a "grave matter",
2.
It is not committed with full knowledge, or
3.
It is not committed with both deliberate and
complete consent.
As the above criteria are the three criteria for mortal sin
stated negatively, a sin which met none of these extenuating conditions would
necessarily be considered mortal.
Venial Sins not confessed and forgiven send you to purgatory when you die. Wikipedia defines it as “…the state or place
of purification or temporary punishment by which those who die with non-mortal
sins and so in the state of grace are made ready for the Beatific Vision in
Heaven…”
I admit I have not practiced Catholicism for many years, actually
since I was a young boy. I couldn’t
understand why not going to church on Sunday was such a grave sin. After all, I could pray wherever I was and
whenever I wanted. Go to Hell because I
didn’t punch in at the local Catholic Church on Sunday? No way!
Actually, Saturday night was okay too and was added so it would be more convenient. Attending Mass was the event.
So when I went to Mass, and tried to stay awake, I could
only receive Holy Communion if I confessed my sins. Mortal Sins, to a Priest in “Confession”,
venial sins could be confessed at the time, directly to God. Remember, if I had missed Mass last Sunday, I
couldn’t receive Holy Communion. Just
didn’t make sense to me.
There were many other rituals I was taught, some which made
sense, some not so much. I guess some
people need this type of religion and structure in their lives. It is a good thing for them.
Now I’m not saying religion is bad or unnecessary. Quite to contrary,
everyone needs to believe in some greater power, even if that belief is that
there is no greater power. See, you can’t
escape religion. What I’m saying is
religion is a personal experience. On a
human level, it doesn’t matter if you are Christian, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism,
or follow some other type of religion. You
need to believe in something.
I believe it is unnecessary to go to a building where a
person dresses in expensive robes and performs a ceremony with golden
artifacts. I believe a good sermon can
be head from any number of sources, not only a Priest, Rabbi or Minister, but
from a friend, mentor or book. I believe
religion is who we are at the core and should be practiced every waking
moment. It is a way of life. It is what we do.
In today’s world, religion is a business. It takes money and members to survive. What is wrong in some cases is manipulating
its members to make the religion a stronger business, using human weaknesses to
install fear to serve a select few or advance a political agenda. Because the business is run by humans, just as any other business, personal agendas
and corruption is possible.
Religion is not something to force down the throat of
others. Yes, share you message, but be respectful
or others’ beliefs and know when to back off.
Everyone has their own religion and it may not be yours.
I my mind, God is not some being to be feared or worshipped.
After all, if this being created us in his or her image, I would think they
being would want us to be the best we can.
I liken it somewhat to having children.
I don’t want my kids to fear or worship me. Just take what I teach them and make the best
of it, then pass it on to their own kids.
Of course church is so much more than a ceremony or a place
to worship. It brings a community
together and helps those less fortunate.
So I ask, “What is your God?”.