The Pope, The Soul, and The Goodness of People

posted 27th November 2010    Written by: Renee    CATEGORY: Renee, Season 3, Spirituality

There’s a quote that always comes to mind when I think of my personal spirituality.  It’s from Anne Frank:

Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.

I don’t like discussing religion because organized religion makes me nervous.  I grew up Catholic.  I genuflect and cross myself.  I taught catechism when I was in my late teens.  I was my stepsister’s Confirmation sponsor.  I’ve been on retreats.  I was blessed by the Pope.  I went to one of the greatest Catholic institutions in the nation.  I spent a semester in Rome, living literally down the street from the Vatican.  I’ve crawled the steps that are said to bear Jesus’ bloodstains.  I’ve hung out with nuns, priests, seminarians, the Pope’s Swiss Guards, and I enjoyed it.

So, you might say I’m Catholic.  I would definitely say I’m Catholic.  But I say it in the same way Jon Stewart might say he’s Jewish.  It’s a cultural, historical distinction.  This is the way I was raised. This is the culture that inspires all my decisions.  This is the guilt I bear.  This is why I raise my glass for a refill of wine.

At my core, I disagree with the Church quite a bit.  I don’t regularly attend Mass, though I believe it is the most beautiful religious service on the planet. Instead of Catholic doctrine, I subscribe to what I believe is the true meaning of Jesus’ teachings: Be kind. Be thoughtful. Don’t be selfish. Give thanks. Love everyone equally.

If you asked me these days what I believe, I’d say I’m a cafeteria Catholic (a pick-and-choose believer) who simply believes in the good of people. I believe in a supreme being of some sort, though I don’t know who or what he or she is, if it’s a group of deities, if it’s a march of saints, if it’s a spirit or an inkling, if it’s our ancestors or guardian angels, if it’s fate or karma… something is out there looking out for us.  I believe in the soul. I believe Jesus lived and he was a man with a lot of smart ideas and a big heart.  I believe that hard work pays off in the end and what goes around comes around.
But, most of all, I believe in the inherent goodness of people.

“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

{photo: my own, Michelangelo’s altar in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City}

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Comments (11)

11 Responses to “The Pope, The Soul, and The Goodness of People”

  • Lianne Says:
    November 27th, 2010 at 8:17 am

    Hi Molly – I share a similar Catholic background (though I would no longer call myself even a cafeteria catholic) – and while I haven't attended mass in years I am deeply thankful for the appreciation for beauty and social justice and ritual that Catholicism gave me. I discovered in 2009 (http://www.lianneraymond.com/2009/12/best-conference-of-2009.html) that Seattle has an especially progressive a lively Catholic community who would all be very much in sync with what you are saying here. As am I. :)

  • Renee Says:
    November 27th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    Hi Lianne, I wrote this blog post and, unfortunately, I don't live anywhere near Seattle! But for those who read the Stratejoy blog who are looking for a progressive Catholic community, that looks like a great place to start!

  • Alisha Says:
    November 27th, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    Love, love, love. One of my very best friends is Catholic and thinks along the same lines as you. Another beautiful reflection on spirituality.

  • erinmakesitwork Says:
    November 27th, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    Beautiful…thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I too believe in the inherent goodness of people. We are good and should treat each other with kindness. If only humanity was more willing to celebrate our differences.

  • nikki_klecha Says:
    November 27th, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    At our core, we all want to love and be loved. If everyone of every religion could just understand & live by that, the would would be a better place. I think it's really interesting (in an awesome way) that you've been immersed so much in Catholicism, a very specific religion, and it's led you to such a basic, encompassing truth. That, to me, is what God's about; no matter what specifics resonate with an individual, love is at the core of it.

  • Sacred Journeys Says:
    November 28th, 2010 at 5:53 am

    Super Blessed!
    I love how you put every detail of your adventure.
    Really nice. :)

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    November 28th, 2010 at 6:03 am

    Hey Lianne!! Thanks for sharing this- I will have to pass along the recommendation to a few liberal, (ex) Catholics I know in Seattle. My "organized spiritual" time is spent here (or will be when I get back!) — http://seattleinsight.org/.

    XOXO

  • Renee Says:
    November 28th, 2010 at 7:54 am

    Nikki, I think that's exactly what's at the root of every religion… I, too, would love to see humanity harness that for good.

  • Renee Says:
    November 28th, 2010 at 7:55 am

    Amen.

  • Renee Says:
    November 28th, 2010 at 7:55 am

    The archaic rules of Catholicism turn a lot of people away. But, at the heart, it's all about loving one another.

  • marianschembari Says:
    November 28th, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    I really really REALLY love what you say about religious being more of a cultural thing to some people. When I say "I'm Presbyterian" it has absolutely nothing to do with my spiritual beliefs, but of how I was raised. Interesting how that applies to so many people now…

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