Life's Foundation

A choice not given to us. We are born into it. It surrounds us from birth. It is chosen for us. Religion is a belief that only once we are older, can we then make our own decision about it. Religion is based on the belief of one individual; it must be picked by oneself and no one else. I am a Catholic. Or more rightly stated, I have been born and raised a Catholic. Not until now have I been able to really question if I truly believe in the religion my family does. This is a question we should all ask ourselves at one point in time. Why just except it?

From birth I have been taught the ways of Catholicism. My family has led me down this road by sending me to a parochial school, taking me to church since I was young, and putting me through catechism classes from 1st through 8th grade. I have made three of the Sacraments of this Christian based religion. I have been baptized, I have made my first communion, and I have made my confirmation. My grandfather has continuously directed me down the road of Catholicism. He is constantly discussing it with me and raising questions in my mind. He has helped me establish many beliefs in this aspect of my life. I feel that all these things have influenced me. I have come to believe what my family members have taught me though.

I have asked the question, do I believe in God as the creator of the Heavens and the Earth? Do I believe that Jesus is my savior? Do I believe in the Holy Spirit? Do I believe that there is a Heaven and a Hell? Do I believe that the Pope is the leader of this church? Do I believe in the communion of the Saints? I have asked all these questions to myself and answer yes to all of them. I have come to the realization that I am Catholic. I do not only believe this because it is what my parents and grandparents, believe but because of my own findings. I do believe that God created the Heavens and the Earth. I believe that he sent his son to earth so he could die on the cross, to take away our sin, so that one day we would be able to enter the gates of Heaven. He opened that door for us. There is not a doubt in my mind of these facts.

Through research I have learned about the beliefs of other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam. I do not believe in reincarnation. I have found that I do not believe that we are on a never ending cycle that can only be broken by learning so many lessons and gaining so much karma. I do not follow the teachings of Buddha, Siddhârtha, or Gautama. This is why I do not believe in Buddhism. I do not believe in "Dharma, Reincarnation, Karma, and Moksha (liberation) of every soul through a variety of moral, action-based, and meditative yogas" (en.wikipedia.org). This is why I do not believe in Hinduism. I do not believe that my savior has not come yet. I believe that Jesus is my savior. I believe that he was the son of God not just a great prophet. This is why I do not believe in Judaism. I do not believe that Muhammad is my savior either. I do not believe that God revealed his direct word for mankind to Muhammad. I do not believe that the teachings of the Qur'an are "flawless, immutable, and the final revelation of God" (en.wikipedia.org). I do not believe that the Gospels have been misinterpreted and distorted by the Christian faith. That is why I do not believe in Islam. This is how I know that I am a Christian.

Even with the influences of family members and other outside sources I can say I am a Catholic. I have frequently gone over questions of my faith. I have been able to answer these questions and give myself peace of mind. I have cleared my head of my parent's beliefs and freed myself from them. I then made the decision that I believed in Catholicism on my own, without the persuasion of others. I have picked my path on my own and with no one else's ideas or beliefs clouding my judgment. Of these things I am certain.

Work Cited

Chaudhuri, Nirad. "Hinduism." Wikipedia. 20 Sept. 2005. 20 Sept. 2005 .
Kurzman, Charles. "Islam." Wikipedia. 20 Sept. 2005. 20 Sept. 2005 .