Although I'm not religious, I do respect religions

I'm rather proud and happy with the way my recent book, Chicano Sin Fin: Memoirs of a Chicano Journalist turned out. Although, quite truthfully, I'm not so happy or proud at some of the things I wrote in it, but, hey, I've always been one to say what's on my mind and suffer or rejoice at the consequences.

I'm referring to the first chapter, page xx. I wrote rather flippantly about Catholics and Catholicism, and what I wrote didn't turn out the way I meant it to. Speaking of religion, and the fact that one of my friends wanted to visit me at the hospital with a group of her friends to pray for me, I refused her offer. To quote from my book: "She couldn't understand why, but I was adamant. No praying around my bed. If I recovered, it was going to be my own doing and not because of some supernatural mumbo jumbo.." There, that's it - that's where I made my faux pas.

Religion is not "mumbo-jumbo." Religion is what drives peoples' lives, only it doesn't drive me. Yet, I do respect religions - mind you, I said religions (plural). During the recent presidential campaign, the Republicans were working hard to typecast President-elect Barack Obama as a Muslim. I wondered, what? A Muslim? So, what's wrong with that? Isn't our United States of America a nation that accepts all religions? Aren't Americans Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindis and other religious sects perhaps not as-well known? Of course, our nation was founded on the basis of freedom of religion. So, why were the Republicans trying to label Obama as a Muslim, even though he's a Christian. Did they think we wouldn't support him because he was being accused of being a Muslim?

I have made it a point in my life to study every religion, as much as I can, without actually getting involved in any of them. I was born into a Catholic family and to my mother, attending Mass was tantamount to being a good Catholic. I followed that religion, making my first communion when I was six. Thereafter, I confessed my sins, took the Holy Host, attended special Masses, such as Las Misiones, and attended Midnight Mass every Christmas Eve. I remember going into a Protestant Church that was located in our barrio. My sweet mother would have a fit, because she said I would be destroyed by the Protestants. I love you mom, but, to me that was laughable, because I couldn't see anything wrong with that Baptist Church that dared to exist in a Catholic enclave. But, she did see something wrong. Obviously, she feared that I would be converted. This caused me to slowly, but surely, turn away from Catholicism.

When I joined the U.S. Air Force, I was the Chapel Guide in Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. I would march other Catholics to Mass every Sunday, even though I was starting to have doubts about religion in general. When I was assigned to Travis AFB, California as my permanent base, I made a total change. It happened one Sunday morning, while I was going to Mass that I decided that what I was doing was merely robotic because I had lost all interest. I made a media vuelta and walked away from religion. Instead, I went to the Airman's Club on base to eat dougnuts and drink coffee - while watching the Dallas Cowboys on television. Thus, my religious interest ended then and there and I've never been sorry.

But, you know, I still respected religions and religious people. And, I still do. Without religion, can you imagine the chaos that would ensue? As it is, even the most holiest of holys, who feel they are beyond reproach when it comes to religion, commit some of the worst atrocities against human-kind. But, not everyone. Without religion, there would be no basis for some people to act kindly towards their neighbors and fellow humans. Without religion, it would be a free-for-all, with people being murdered, being abused. Even Bible thumpers of the past and present have been known to carry a bible in one hand and a rod in the other - all to punish what they consider sinners. But, really, what is a sinner? Someone that has been adjudged such by someone else?

So, no, keep your religion to yourself, and I will continue to be a good person, who loves life, loves people and wouldn't harm anyone. Remember, I like religions, respect them and I like and respect religious people as well. But, it's not for me. I'm glad I got this off my chest. Forget the flippant way I dismissed religion in the first chapter. But, please, don't try to get me to think like you - because it's just not going to work.

Sin Fin

Barack Obama is a breath of fresh air

The election of Senator Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States marks a turning point in our nation's history. For the first time in more than 200 years, we finally have someone who is not White Anglo Saxon Protestant. No sir, those days are gone never to be recovered. I firmly believe that it will no longer be business as usual in the United States. Overnight, minority members such as Obama and myself will garner respect and understanding.

But, of course, we still have to keep an eye on Obama to make sure that he plays fair with every single person who lives in the United States - the world's most diverse Republic. You see, here in the U.S. we have a representative of every single country in the world. Still, other people from faraway lands are clamoring to join us so that they too can be free.

With the election of Obama to our country's highest post, minorities can be proud of who they are and from where they originated. Even those of us who are not black, but who may be Hispanic, Japanese, Native American, or from other lands, can also be proud that our nation continues to evolve, to change, to become the beacon it has always been - a beacon that shines a bright light so that people from other lands may follow. Our country will never be defeated, will never suffer the fate of other great civilizations. Why? Because we are so diverse, with so many proud citizens who care and who dare to protect our beautiful United States of America. Intelligence does not stem only from being White Anglo Saxon Protesttant - and, yes, of course, there are many brilliant white people who have guided the U.S. to where we stand today. However, change is great and this change is the greatest of all.

Now, we need to unite. We need to accept one another as participants in this great Democracy. Let's forget the past, or, rather, let's try to forget the past. It's not easy because of what once was - what with vicious dogs being thrust upon us when we demanded our rights, or with vicious members of the Ku Klux Klan who would rather we all go back to where we came from, or with guns and laws that worked to keep us in our place, divided, conquered, and abused. But, it's a new day, a new America. And, do you know what? I've always been proud to be an American citizen. But, today, I'm even prouder. Yes, let's all work together to forge a path for our nation. Let's support Obama, even if you didn't vote for him - he is our new President, and, as such, we welcome him to the fold. I love the United States of America.

Sin Fin