I was raised a Catholic. My mother was our CCD teacher as kids and teenagers. I went to church throughout college on my own volition. I had some issues with Catholicism, but they didn’t really hold me back from being a part of the religion. There was a great deal of it that I liked and within which I found comfort. My dad always did a good job of framing our faith more as a practice in morals, values and right from wrong than anything else. So, for the most part it made sense.
Then, I went abroad for the first time. It changed my life. I was introduced to new ways of thinking that exposed holes in my own faith I never even knew existed. Listening to my now teacher for the very first time, I was totally blown away. He put everything into words I’d ever thought. I had no idea what he spoke of was an actual religion and practice.
So, there was no turning back for me. I still believe that the switch 11 years ago was the right decision. By no means should or would everyone have done the same. But for me, it made sense. More sense than anything had my entire life.
When I returned from Asia, my immediate response was disillusionment. I could only look at my old belief system with cynical eyes. I couldn’t find a way to relate to what I had once stood so firmly behind. No part of it made sense any longer.
When I first converted, I was, as my friend Allie’s boyfriend likes to say a SUPER BUDDHIST. Every other religion was a joke and Buddhism was clearly superior, elite, and only for the smartest people around. It’s taken a few years of maturing to finally come around to see my old faith devoid of judgement. Every religion when carried out has it’s hypocrisies, it’s charlatans, it’s misuses. Buddhism is no exception to this rule.
This article I read really made me remember all that I loved about my faith growing up. And that my Catholic foundation is what makes me who I am now. It’s beautifully written too, which is always nice. Maybe you can relate. Maybe you can’t. All I know is for me, it’s refreshing to now look back with an eye of appreciation instead of resentment.
by Matthew Remski
