I guess this diary is a spin-off of the excellent diary posted earlier by Commonmass. I was born and raised a Catholic. I went to Catholic schools and mass every Sunday. Today, at age 59 I am not what would be called religious; but I believe I am quite spiritual. I still go to mass six times a year; Christmas, Easter and the four Sundays in Advent. I go, not because I agree with the Catholic Church views on many things; but because I am a Christian, I like the rituals and it makes me feel good. I pray daily and try to live the values that were given to me, not only by my parents, but also by the Priests and Nuns many years ago. I have fundamental differences with the church on issues such as abortion, gay rights, the way women are treated and the many scandals involving Priests. I have agreement on issues such as feeding the poor and being against the death penalty.
I am a proud liberal - actually quite far left of liberal. When I grew up in Catholic churches and schools I was taught that the most important things in life are to love one another, do not kill, that which you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me; Jesus was the Prince of Peace and I am my brothers keeper. Many of the leaders in the Viet Nam anti-war movement were priests, ministers and nuns.
I try to live those values. I believe that every religion is correct in their own beliefs and that it all leads to the same God, or whatever name he/she is known by in various religions. No religion has a monopoly on the truth. I believe in religion and science; and certainly do not take the Bible literally.
However, I cannot understand or comprehend the views of the right wing fundamentalists who spew hatred at everyone and everything that they disagree with. Their racism toward minorities, their views towards gays and women and their pro-military, pro-war views are directly contrary to the Christian values I was taught. Obviously their views on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and universal health care exposes then as not being their brothers/sisters keeper.
The point I want to make is that just because someone is a Christian, it does not automatically make them a conservative. I believe that my hero George McGovern (the son of a minister who quoted scripture often), Martin Luther King, John, Bobby and Ted Kennedy and many others have proven that.