On Easter Sunday, we entered the main church in Lisbon, Portugal to observe a Catholic Easter Service. When I was sixteen, I dropped religion and stopped attending church. This was my first time back in a church since then. Here is what I wrote as I sat in on the Mass:
The beauty that lies in religion is its ability to bring people together. Christ preached love, respect, forgiveness, and peace. Coming together to truly believe and follow these teachings for every man, woman and child will pave the way for compassion and love. Religion gives you something to believe in; something to hold onto. God is a name given to the power that is unexplainable. There is a force and energy that exists and that is larger than the human race and mind and no definition is perfect. Religion at the faith base is beautiful. When the politics of church gets involved, religion gets ugly. I don't think you need to spend your time in a church to show your connection. Devotion lies in the heart and mind and is expressed through actions and the way in which your life is lived. That was Jesus’ goal and message. Don't hate. Love.
I observed the Easter mass in the main cathedral. I saw a community together in the pews. I wanted to believe that the people sitting in the church would take the meaning of what is being preached and apply it to there lives. The truth is that judgment still is being mentioned and held in the minds of those sitting in the pews. I can't speak and generalize for everyone. But racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and hate are still very much present in every culture. We can’t tell people how to live there lives if they have done nothing wrong. Being different is not a crime. It is the beauty that exists in the world. Taking the time to learn from those who differ in language, race, religion, sexual orientation, and personality is important. You can learn a lot from these people.
Life is too precious to waste hating and oppressing others. Every human being has the right to live, love, and prosper in this world. No one has the right to take that away or try and stop that. We should put our energy towards living, loving, laughing, dancing, smiling, learning, reading, and being grateful and happy.
Peace and Love,
JP Popovich
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