Crisis of Faith

As you know I've been working away in Brisbane and haven't been so regular with going to church and stuff. I try to be good though. I went on Sunday morning for the first time in a few months. The priest was talking about the family structure in his homily. It was the Feast of the Holy Family that day and the readings were about honouring one's parents and recognising that the Christian family is essentially a "domestic church". It's where we first learn about religion. The story was read about how Jesus stayed behind in the synagogue when he was 12 and was found three days later talking to the doctors and people who were astounded at his intelligence. The priest mentioned the Holy family unit consisting of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus.

The emphasis was placed on the family structure which consisted of a mother and a father and a child. A male and female union making up the parents. The topic of homosexuality was brought up. The priest said it may now be recognised in a civil court but that doesn't mean it's right in the eyes of God. Same thing with abortion. "Life exists from the moment of conception." Two very touchy subjects these days.

While I generally agree with that view on paper (it's my religion) I acknowledge that life is a little bit more complicated than that. If people weren't so liberal now, others may be forced into conformance. But this is 2009. We should be focused on bringing people back to the church. Unfortunately, we still seem to be in damage control from too much freedom in the 60s. When I heard his words as he spoke them, it made me feel uneasy. It got me thinking: how many people really believe what he is saying? Everyone in congregation did not seem to be looking at the priest (although i was sitting in the back so couldn't really tell).

I know it's his job to teach these things, and we're all there in the church by choice, so why do we feel uneasy inside when this is mentioned? It's a sensitive topic for most people. Do we feel uneasy because we now consider it as discrimination? It's basically making everyone that is gay or anyone that has had an abortion feel like an outcast. Do we feel uneasy because, deep down, we know that the priest is right and traditionally, this is how things should be? It's not the way it is now, but everything and everyone is more liberal now, rightly or wrongly. I know people who are guy and I know people who have had abortions. Both groups are represented in my circle of friends. While they may not be lifestyle choices I would make, I consider myself pretty tolerant of people of other beliefs. (Yes, including atheism, also represented in my circle of offline and online friends).

Crisis of faith anyone?