Finding meaning is a personal journey, and I came to realize about 2 years ago how many of us are "lost in relativity", we don't know what our touchstones are, as in previous generations it was more obvious. For good and bad, many of us do not cling to our parents beliefs/values and we find our way on our own.
Ultimately we all must decide where we will find meaning, guidance and guidelines to live our lives. What truths do we choose to live by? This is often not a conscious choice but through a series of many unconscious choices. From a young age we inherit our parents truths- how they make sense of the world, and what their touchstones are. We take in how the people around us see the world and we make decisions based upon the worldview we have been handed. Then we go to school. And we are exposed to different beliefs, and variety of ways to live. Some of what we are exposed to will support our familial view of life and some will challenge it. Our world expands and we have to choose what to do with the new information, particularly if it is threatening to our family way. Many people hold steadfast to their family beliefs and reject any information that can be challenging. Others seem to be drawn to differing viewpoints and are stimulated by the different ways of living.
Luckily, or unluckily, I went to a very homogenous parochial school where everybody was pretty much the same: married parents, large families, and very Catholic. The church told us what was right or wrong and how to live a good Catholic life. The problem for me was, I never really bought into the whole Catholic Church is right. I questioned it from an early age. In one memory, I asked my mom if she really thought not baptized babies would go to hell. She became angry and defensive and replied “if that’s what the Bible says”. End of discussion for her, but for me I played these questions around in my mind over and over, trying to make sense of them, and ultimately ended up rejecting many of my parents beliefs.
I was good, and still am at looking at inconsistencies between who people say they are, and how they act. Or inconsistencies in dogmatic beliefs. I’m guessing it can be either annoying or liberating to have someone point out your inconsistencies to you. Most of the time it’s annoying to people.
This blog will explore how myself and others become lost in relativity, and also find our through!
I too, was raised Catholic and although grateful for the platform my parents viewed as right vs wrong, I'm more grateful that somewhere along the line I stepped out and questioned some of the beliefs and what they were based on. I see it as a form of brainwashing to only be exposed to one viewpoint and I respect another's opinion more so if they have been exposed to another viewpoint. Quick funny?... a friend of mine recently wrote in her book that she was kicked out of Sunday school for asking too many questions. It's uncomfortable to think that children are told to believe anything (no matter what it is) or bad things could happen to them. Yeesh.
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking, you mean all the Jewish people will not go to heaven because they don't accept Jesus as Savior and Son of God? I couldn't wrap my arms around that, since our God waa a loving God, which I was also taught, thank goodness. I find many comforting things in the Catholic faith, mostly the rituals. But I cannot ever claim to be a true Catholic any more; I do not share those strong fervent beleifs that others in my family do. And that makes me sad, because I don't really have anything that strong to cling to in the faith department. For others it seems easier and less complicated. I envy that at times.
ReplyDeleteWow, good comments Koll and Dorothy. I appreciate the feedback!
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