Today’s Friday Five. Which seems very appropriate today. Hugs to all.
1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith?
Yes, mostly Presbyterian, but we went to a Congregational Church when I lived in CT (no Presbyterian churches nearby).
2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not?
I do. Why? It’s comforting. I don’t go to church as much as I’d like to, but I also think that religion isn’t something you necessary have to “do” with others. Anyway, I can’t think that there isn’t a God—it doesn’t make logical sense to me. But more than that, I like feeling that there’s someone watching over me.
3. What do you think happens after death?
Erm. Good question. Well, I do believe that there are ghosts—and I think if someone becomes a ghost, it’s probably because of the way that person died. Or maybe they chose to be ghosts, which would be cool. Ideally, I’d think that life after death (and if I didn’t think there is some sort of life after death, I’d be really depressed) is what you want it to be. I’m not sure about the Really Bad People, though—I don’t know about hell. I don’t want to believe in it, but part of me does want there to be one, just so there’s some sort of ultimate justice. If that makes sense. But while I do believe in Jesus, I don’t think people are sent to hell for practicing a different religion. That’d be stupid.
4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)?
Well, I really like Vacation Bible School. It’s fun! But for an actual ritual, I’ve always liked the lighting of the Advent Wreath at Christmas. My absolute favorite religious experience is going to the midnight Christmas Eve service and singing “Silent Night” by candlelight. It always gets me.
5. Do you believe people are basically good?
That depends on how you define good. I think most people are good. We all do bad things, some worse than others, but most aren’t horrific. There’s a lot of bad stuff in the world—snipers, people ramming planes into buildings, people taking a theater full of people hostage, abusers, murderers, etc. But the number of people who don’t do anything really bad is far greater than that of people who do the really bad stuff. And again, I’d get pretty depressed if I didn’t think people are basically good. And I’m a pretty happy, optimistic person. In general.