In life, at some point, we undergo some kind of transformative evolution that eventually affects our beliefs as a person. My being an open-minded guy, I want to emphasize, has a big role in my transformation that includes my faith.
I recently have a friend who was inducted into a Freemasonry organization. Not that I question or don’t agree. It just happens that I’m not on the same page with freemasonry’s beliefs that I better not discuss. I have done quite decent research on this elite organization.
On the other hand, whatever the stand of the Catholic Church on freemasonry, I am pretty sure this oldest institution on this planet has done its homework thoroughly.
That’s not the point though. The point I want to make is; that I both respect the stand of MASONS and the CATHOLIC CHURCH on the obvious subject. They have their own respective reasons to justify their views.
To me, there’s no winner. The real winner or loser is YOU or ME. It’s how we blend our own convictions with the doctrine of others outside the group we’re in.
This leaves me no option but to mention religion that on a negative note has in a way divided the world. I’m talking here not as a Catholic but simply as someone, who at this point in my life has an extensive soul-searching resulting in some degree of spiritual deepening in the midst of the complexities I faced for living in a borrowed culture.
I am lucky to have been raised in a home with values – I mean really practice Christianity not just by words. Modesty aside, my being a disciplined person has a lot to do with my parents.
I am reminded of the saying ” Being a parent is not always about passing what you know, it is about passing who you are “.
On one hand, I feel I have outgrown Catholicism my parents handed to me. I may be wrong but, I don’t see Atheists ( who have core values ) as inferior to Christians, Allah, or Buddha believers – spiritually wise.
God doesn’t punish ignorance after all! I believe it’s only HIM at the end who can tell not the earthly-inspired church, not the private jet-riding self-proclaimed messiah’s words – or I say with reservations even the bible itself- in fact, this little precious book’s numerous interpretations led to the division of churches as we are all aware.
The question now is; Which church truly represents god?
The faith that corresponds to your convictions – YOUR OWN personal connections with HIM and not your religion I believe is what counts.
The first article of faith at home for my children when they were little; “ Once you leave the house and become yourself, you can choose or decide which faith you want to eventually embrace – with emphasis on the power of PRAYER for guidance, in the pursuit of their spirituality.”
Mahatma Gandhi, in his return voyage from London to South Africa in 1908 said; “ Religions are different roads converging to the same point, we take a different road, yes, but what matters is we reach the same goal or destination.”
” An old-fashioned Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year sa gabos ”
-Bo Rodulfo