Midnight Mass
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Posted By: Marta Fernandez on December 24, 2008 In another hour--Roman Catholics all over the world will attend Midnight Mass, in Honor of our Savior Jesus Christ. I as many other Hispanics was born into Catholicism . Our parents had us "Christened" while the Priest removed our gold coral and ebony bracelets with the Black Hand never to be seen again. Hmm wonder if he pawned them, because they were not returned to the family, as they are considered superstitious talismans. All Spanish infants are gifted with one to ward of evil spirits- so I imagine he must've had a chest full! Catholicism is a very ritualistic religion,with a lot of pomp and circumstance. Confession just about debilitates your sense of self esteem. Going to the confessional is always unnerving and you feel so awful. We forever memorize "Bless me Father for I have sinned it's been blank days since my last confession" then we pour out a litany of sins from "venal" the lesser to "mortal" the greater--off we go to do 25 Hail Mary's 10 our Fathers and whatever else the Priest decides you need to clean your soul. They should do a study on the effect this has on children. I believe it's damaging, because it causes you to be very honest in a very dishonest world. As I grew older, I would notice that when, the Priest would say show the sign of peace to your neighbor and shake their hand, many would refuse to do so. We are talking at the actual Sunday Mass! Many of us left the church because of its unrelenting positions on family issues, yet they provided no support, especially not being able to divorce a spouse even if he was abusive. Of course abortion and birth control are prohibited. What is really curious? Is that the average Catholic does not know the Bible. We had "Missals." Some Charismatic Catholics,who speak in tongues do read the Bible,but that is not the Roman Catholic Church's mandate. I started attending "Vineyard" Churches and that is where I learned to read the Bible, as I reflect on this Christmas eve--how can this be? Catholics don't quote scripture--They know of Jesus' teachings, and of course the Saints, we are inundated with Saints. It's really a complicated,hidden religion with lots of secrets,those of us that left consider ourselves lucky. Never mind the elitist side of it--the other telling mark is once you are a Catholic as Rev. Wyatt T.Walker , former Pastor of the Harlem Abyssinian Church told me --you are so deeply indoctrinated that it is hard to leave. He was right, so we just live with the vistages of our Catholicism--at least we find solace in one God. We had a big beautiful Bible at home with the Old and New Testament,but I never saw anyone "studying" it. So it's all Pomp and Circumstance. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Marta Fernandez
From Queens, NY CUNY -Queens College class of 1985 Member Since July 2008 |
Comments
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True dat--my friend!
Thursday, December 25th 2008 at 12:01AM |
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Greetings Sister, We have all been indoctrinated to believe in the unknown as something known. NO ONE knows if there is a God or Gods. If this was no so, then there would be no confusion between people of religion. For an omnipotent being to allow some cruelty to occur in life for the sake one human being to believe in it says nothing for logic. In this universe we see a pattern of positive and negative force, which our ancestors call the laws of the opposites of dualities of nature. Our conscious minds are able to deduce what is good for us and what is bad. Through this process one obtains Wisdom. Wisdom produces understanding of these to element ( - + ), from this our ancestors created a society based on the maintenance of Balance. This was all established prior to Hebrew, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and all others. It is the laws of nature that dictates our environmental, social behavior patterns ,and psychological conditioning. The problem lies in the fact that there are those who are aware of the facts related to salvation pimping and use historical knowledge and information to exploit others. All religions govern by men have done this for the purpose of self preservation in the name of a God. Having had the opportunity to travel to other parts of the world has opened my eyes to how we have been manipulated, particularly people of African descent. Much has been taken from us as far as material things, but the ultimate goal is to control our minds and bodies, just as in slavery. If what I'm stating is untrue, prove it. Peace! Thursday, December 25th 2008 at 12:08PM |
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Thank you my brother for allowing me to enage in a discussion. First, anything of the Spirit is a "mystery" and has no place for logic. Second in the "Out of Africa Theory" as the nomadic peoples moved across the continents, as continental plates melted and land masses surfaced they established their beliefs. If in fact the "laws of nature" dictate our behavior then it is safe to assume that this belief has been inculcated in many religions of the world which echo this balance. Politically, I most certainly do agree with your assertion regarding "salvation pimping." Since no two humans have ever been exactly the same, including identical twins, each of us has free agency to exercise there of. Some leaders, such as Jim Jones of Guyana are very guilty of that , and I have to say inflammatory term "salvation pimping." When individuals move to the extreme of the "balance" you speak of this is usually the result. You stated that you have traveled to many parts of the world? not only have I traveled but I have lived amongst the Etoro tribes of Papua New Guinea, on to the Wampoanag Nation in Massachussets. But I have also walked through Islam--I have taken a Shahaddah, studied with the NOI, C.O.G.I.C Baptists, Pentacostal, Mormoms, The 5 percenters, the Israelites, the Anglican Protestant, the Pentacostals, and Jehovah's Witnesses, and Nicheren Shoshu Buddhism. I am not a historian or sociologist, nor do I ever want to be. I am an ethnographer, and having rid myself of my ethnocentrism in my life's work I judge no culture by MY standards..nor do I necessarily believe what others have written be they scholars or not ,because of the money motive. I prefer to go by the evidence of my empirical observations.. To that end..my only true agreement with your short statment is that ALL societies seek to control the mind and bodies of its brethern and others outside their immediate clan. I seek truth in areas foreign to your study, in the Spirit and in science-- my degree has a minor in molecular biology. Thursday, December 25th 2008 at 4:15PM |
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