The (NOT SO) Skinny Girl

Today, the 1st of March 2017 is officially ASH WEDNESDAY. The good Catholic that I am, I found this out on Monday. I have not been to church in a long while, possibly the last time was my Grandmother's funeral over a year ago. I would hate to think I have become a "CHEAP" Catholic, who only goes when they are obligated: CHristmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday, and Palm Sunday. The reality is, that I do not feel that church is enlightening, it does not evoke strong emotions in me, and it does not make me want to be a good person any more than my everyday life does. I feel that some organized religion has not kept up with the times. It has not promoted equality between people. It preaches forgiveness and focuses on the "love one another" while also stating "you will be judged" and "feel wrath". I cannot understand the religion of peace, love, and forgiveness can still be so exclusive. And thus, I cannot be included. I feel as if I am an outcast, e...

The Pope recently said the church should ask forgiveness for the way it has treated gays, as well as 'women, for turning a blind eye to  child labor  and for “blessing so many weapons” in the past'. This is not to be overshadowed either. There is a reason I backed out of the church a few years ago. Antiquated teachings, and comments about gays, and the fact that women cannot play a larger role in the church... all these things and a priest who didn't make me feel accepted and loved and didn't enlighten me. I felt like it was not doing the good in my life that I needed and I did not make it a priority. And yet,that was just locally. Since I have scaled back my church going, Pope Francis has upped his game. He is talking about things like being tolerant and apologetic to gays. And he's talking about us... that's right ladies- he's talking about women and their role in the church. My ears are open- Go on... So he says the door is closed. Men are priests, t...

SO I just read that the Pope made a statement about gays...  He said that the church owes an apology for judging and offending people who identify this way, as  Christians are not supposed to judge or discriminate like this.  And it is profound.  The church teaches that gay tendencies are not sinful but that gay acts are, and that gays should try to be chaste.  “The questions is: If a person who has that condition (the word he used in Italian translates to condition but can also be used as "situation"), who has good will, and who looks for God, who are we to judge?” Pope Francis said. It is following in the footsteps of his statement in 2013 when he said, about gays,  "WHO AM I TO JUDGE?" "The church must say it is sorry for not having behaved as it should many times, many times — when I say 'the church,' I mean we Christians, because the church is holy; we are the sinners," the pope said. "We Christians must say we are sorry." Y...