I’m not great with history but a few names come to mind. John the Baptist, St. Paul, Galileo, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and more contemporary, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein, and Steve Jobs. They were all rebellious and stubborn, some were homosexual or bisexual, some were drunks and gluttons and I would venture to bet that most of them were disobedient to their parents considering their successes, insights and willingness to work outside of the norm.
As with most religious groups, these people are picking and choosing those biblical passages and lessons that best fit their agendas. I cannot deny that I am doing the same thing. My hope here is to offer a differing perception and interpretation of the same passages.
As a Registered Nurse I was recently confronted with a situation. I was traveling with a mission group that provides surgery to patients in third world countries. Without our interventions these people would not have the opportunity to feel better and improve their health status. Although the charity is not faith-based, many of the volunteers are practicing Roman Catholics or other fervent believers. Although I was raised in the Catholic faith, I have been questioning many of the tenets of the faith.
This recent situation involved a patient who needed her gallbladder removed. At the same time she wanted her tubes tied (artificial contraception). She had seven children already. The policy of the charity is to not be involved with artificial contraception. The surgeon wished to proceed with the surgery for the benefit and wishes of the patient. Personally I believe that I was more responsible to the patient and her wishes than a policy with which I have some moral opinion differences.
A fellow volunteer stated that she could not be involved with the procedure because if she was a part of this voluntary sterilization she would be committing a mortal sin. I can appreciate her beliefs and opinions. Following logical thought, being a part of this sterilization procedure involved committing a mortal sin. Therefore, by my involvement with this voluntary sterilization, I was committing a mortal sin.
All right, one can commit a mortal sin and seek absolution from it by going to confession. Absolution by a priest in confession does not erase the sin, but offers the soul a better chance at achieving eternal salvation and eternity in paradise with God. This topic will receive more attention later.
By my fellow volunteer stating that she would be committing a mortal sin by being involved with this voluntary sterilization, she infers that I will be committing a mortal sin by participating in it. Again, I can appreciate her faith and beliefs, but I have a problem with her believing that I have committed a mortal sin and will therefore be damned to hell. As much as I adore this woman I find it disconcerting that she can know how I will be judged by the Almighty God.
Now that I’ve ranted and raved, it’s time to begin my diary.
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