Using God

-
The Catholic Church was a major part of my early life.

I remember playing around the neighborhood as a youngster and talking to the kid who lived up the road.

“I don’t ever go to church,” he confessed.

I actually thought that was crazy! He was risking eternal damnation!! Like the nuns said, “We should all have an hour a week available for God.”

In college, we’d make the trip to the chapel, and of course, we also took religion classes. It was there, however, where I first heard about the priests being a little sketchy in some places.

As an adult, we brought the kids to church, and put them through the paces.

The pedophile priest talk became a tidal wave.

I had a hard time processing that. I’m still really battling what I know to be true.

But that’s not what really destroyed me, and made me stay away from gathering with my neighbors.

Nope.

What destroyed it for me are the people who claim to be “men or women of faith” who have complete disregard for anyone who doesn’t look or act the way that they want them to.

Getting dressed up and making a spectacle of yourself as you shuffle off to mass doesn’t make you “faithful” if you spend the rest of the week obliterating the rights of others.

I’ve watched a whole lot of that type of living lately.

Politicians who ride a high moral horse and act obnoxiously immoral.

Lying.

Cheating.

Putting people in cages.

Denying basic human rights to people who live differently...

...and then pretending they’re God-like.

It’s Easter.

Holy Week.

A time when I used to spend a whole lot of my time in a church, looking around, thinking, trying to be a good person.

It’s confusing.

It’s sad.

So, I’ll say a little prayer.

Confess my sins and ask for forgiveness without an intermediary passing judgment.

I know the story of the resurrection and I remember all the words to all of the prayers.

Thing is, now I know a whole lot more about organized religion...

...and that’s too bad.

Happy Easter!

May you truly behave ‘God-like.’

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more