I'm ignorant and averse to learning

 

I'M IGNORANT AND AVERSE TO LEARNING

 

 It's surprising how much ignorance there is out there about religion and Christianity. And I do not meant this in a derogatory sense. I mean that people are genuinely ignorant about God and Christianity.

When watching quiz programs on TV you sometimes get a religious question and it is amazing how often the contestant says that they are not particularly religious. And they say it in a way that implies there's something wrong or quirky by being religious. They treat the topic of religion as if it were a subject one studies and not as a way of life. It's like saying they are not familiar with the works of Shakespeare, or motor mechanics or astrology. Religion to them is just a subject to be studied or not.

The questions asked are not difficult but ones that even a cursory knowledge of Christianity will suffice. Like: Who fell off his horse on the way to Damascus and became a follower of Christ?; Where in the Bible will you find the story of Samson and Delilah - the Old or New Testament?; Who could interpret dreams and was sold as a slave by his brothers?; Who fought Goliath?

It seems that this level of ignorance is due to people not bothering to learn or even attempt to find out more.  Just like not bothering to learn a language or how to cook. Religion, or Christianity to be precise, is not seen as a way of life leading to eternal salvation.

We have the situation where a living Creator God offered Himself to humanity on the Cross; and humanity is totally oblivious of His presence. 

Christianity does not teach that we should climb up to God for our redemption. God has come down to us, and offered Himself as sacrifice on the Cross and we are unwilling to acknowledge or accept His priceless gift.

If someone gave you a Christmas gift or a birthday present and it remains there on the shelf unopened; it is not a gift. All it is is a packet wrapped in fancy paper.

You have to open the packet, appreciate the gift and accept it with thanks to the donor.

We have to accept God's gift to all of humanity. Each one of us. His invitation of salvation and eternal life with Him in Paradise is open to everyone. 

We have to respond. Not just take it for granted. It is not just an automatic salvation for the lazy, the ignorant or those who cannot be bothered.

We have to reply to the Divine RSVP offered to each one personally.

Does God not want me to love her? PART 2

 

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See Part 1 of the story HERE

A few weeks after meeting Father Ignatius, Reginald and Helen returned to see the priest. They sat in his office and this time Helen spoke first.

“Thank you Father, for seeing us,” she said, “let me explain … Reg and I have had a long chat … many long chats really. So much so that at one time the possibility of us marrying was totally non-existent.”

She hesitated. The priest decided to say nothing. He noted that Reginald was rather nervous.

“The thing is,” she continued, “I was brought up in a Christian family although we never went to Church on Sundays or any other times. The only time we went to Church for baptisms of other people, weddings and funerals. I’m not quite sure what my parents believed; they are both dead now …”

“I am sorry to hear this,” interrupted the priest.

She smiled briefly and went on, “I guess they were Christian in name only … many people are these days. As I grew up, the more I thought about it the more I was convinced, or perhaps I convinced myself, that God does not exist. Seeing so much evil and so much suffering in the world today, I can’t see how a loving God can allow all this to happen.

“Anyway … the honest truth is that I do not believe in anything. Call me an atheist, or agnostic or whatever, I just can’t get it into my head that God exists. I feel it would be wrong and hypocritical to pretend to believe just to get married in this or any other Church.”

“That’s a very noble attitude,” said the priest calmly.

“As I said,” she continued, “Reg and I have talked about this a lot. I guess he has learnt a lot about himself, we both have … He said he strongly believes in God and that He has seen God’s hand in his life in the past. He gave me examples.”

Reginald shuffled nervously in his chair and crossed his legs. He tried to lean back a little and crossed his arms as well. It was obvious Helen was quite forceful in this relationship.

“The thing is, Father,” she continued politely, “we are truly in love with each other; of that there is no doubt. I would have been happy to marry in a civil ceremony by the registrar, but Reginald is adamant it should be a Christian … Catholic … ceremony blessed by God. I suppose that is testament to his faith.”

Father Ignatius smiled and said nothing. Helen continued before Reginald spoke.

“We are both trying to save this relationship,” she trembled a little, “it would be a tragedy I believe if we were to call the whole thing off and we never met again. I can’t see a way out really … neither of us can.

“Reg told me about what you said about raising children, and in order to keep the two of us together I have solemnly sworn and promised him that should we have children they should be brought up Catholic like Reg. Baptised here, and have Communion, Confirmation and go to your school. I am desperate… we both are … to save this marriage. We don’t want just to live together un-married. I believe in marriage for life.

“But I have to be honest to myself, Father. At the moment I just do not believe in God. I can’t just force myself to believe just to get married in Church as Reg wants. Can you help us?”

Father Ignatius took off his glasses and pretended to clean them. A trick he had learnt when he wanted some thinking time. He also prayed silently for guidance and for these two young people caught in a dilemma born out of love.

“It seems to me,” he said still calmly, “that both of you are honourable people both having different views and yet honest and open about them.

“You are deeply in love and want to make this union you proposed blessed in the eyes of God.

“There is nothing stopping you of course in getting married in a civil ceremony by the registrar. The Church cannot stop that although it would not recognise the marriage as a Catholic one.

“What I could do, is write to the Bishop on your behalf and seek his permission for a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Christian ... an atheist as you said earlier. There are some conditions to be met which I will explain later. If we get the Bishop’s permission then you can marry in Church and the marriage will be valid; although it will not be Sacramental.

“Let me explain … in the Catholic Church a Sacrament like Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Confession are channels through which God can work. For a marriage to be a Sacrament, both spouses must be Christian; which is not the case here.”

Reginald and Helen frowned. He said, “I don’t understand, Father.”

“Yes, it is complicated a little,” the priest went on, “what I am saying is that with the Bishop’s permission you can marry in Church which will be a valid marriage; but it is not a Sacrament like when you were baptised, Reginald, and had first Communion, Confirmation and so on.

“You will be free to continue in your Catholic faith as you do now, Reginald. If anything, your faith seems to have been re-affirmed because of this. Although you Helen are not received in the faith until you are baptised.

“You are always welcome here at Masses if you wish but you cannot partake in the Sacrament of Communion.”

“I understand …” she said without any emotions.

“I will write to the Bishop,” continued Father Ignatius, “but more important I will pray for you that God may bless your union and give you a long and happy life together.

“Helen … as I said, you are always welcome here. There are many leaflets in Church which you may pick up and read more about our faith. They are all free. Also, should you at any time be interested to learn more, my colleague Father Donald runs Christian Encounter sessions for people wishing to know more about Christianity. He’d be glad to see you there as so will I at any time you wish to discuss anything. 

"I'll let you know when I hear from the Bishop."

Does God not want me to love her?

Young Reginald called at Father Ignatius’ office as arranged. He was a little nervous as he announced, “Father, I wish to get married!”

“Oh …” replied the priest hesitating for an instant, “You’re getting married. Congratulations. I wondered why you rang yesterday asking for an urgent meeting. I’ll get you some leaflets about the Marriage Encounter weekend. It will be held at the Monastery at the edge of town. It starts on a Friday afternoon all the way to Sunday afternoon and it is free. It is for couples intending to get married and there are various talks and discussions about the commitments we take on when we take this big step in life.”

Reginald smiled weakly and said nothing. The priest continued for something to say and to encourage the nervous young man to speak.

“Who is the young lady? How come you did not bring her with you?”

“She does not come to this church!” replied Reginald.

“Oh … she’s from a different denomination?” asked Father Ignatius, “that’s not a great problem. Many Catholics marry Christians from other denominations … other religions too. There are some things I’ll have to explain to both of you when we next meet!”

“No Father,” interrupted Reginald “she is not of any denomination or religion. She does not believe … I mean … she says there is no God!”

“I understand,” said Father Ignatius in his calm manner which he had honed over the years in order to defuse tense situations, “and how do you feel about that?”

“She’s not a bad person really …” said the young man, “she just says that there is no God. She doesn’t believe in anything.”

“Yes, I can see she is not a bad person,” smiled the priest to ease the tension, “you would not want to marry a bad person would you? But do you see the situation this creates? Both of you would be standing at the altar in front of God to make your vows, and one of you does not believe He exists!”

Reginald said nothing.

“And as you go on into married life, and you’re blessed with children, how do you intend to bring them up?” asked Father Ignatius tentatively.

“Oh … Helen believes that children should make up their own minds when they grow up what religion they should follow or whether there is a God at all,” the man replied without hesitation, “children should not be indoctrinated in any faith or belief!”

The priest noted that the young man’s response had been direct and very well-rehearsed; but he did not react to it.

“I have known you since you were a baby baptised at this very church,” he said calmly, “do you think you have been indoctrinated in any way?”

The man shrugged his shoulders and said nothing.

“Let me ask you something,” Father Ignatius went on, “let us imagine you had been brought up just like Helen suggested. Without any teaching or knowledge of God. Would you today have been a Christian?”

“I don’t know …” Reginald replied looking downwards.

“In that case it is a good thing you met Helen and got to know her,” Father Ignatius said, “because she has made you think about your own faith. She has made you question what you truly believe and why.

“As children grow up, they need guidance from their parents, and other adults. They need to be taught right from wrong, how to behave towards others, different values and morals, and how to be a good citizen and a member of society. It isn’t just religion that needs to be taught or not; but many different aspects of life. If we don’t teach religion, as Helen suggests, then we might as well not teach other things like good behaviour, the rule of law, and let youngsters make up their own minds when they grow up as to how they live and behave. We should not indoctrinate them in anything.”

“Does God not want me to love her?” mumbled Reginald.

“Of course he does,” said the priest, “you fell in love with Helen and that’s a good thing. You both love each other and wish to marry, that’s why you’re here. Many people don’t even bother to get married and just live together.

“What I am asking you to consider Reginald is two things primarily.

“First of all, I think you should question your own faith and beliefs. How truly do you believe in God? Now that you are an adult and can make up your own mind as Helen suggests, you need to examine your own beliefs and on what basis you hold these beliefs.

“On that first step, rests the answer to your situation. No one is telling you not to love Helen. Often people are attracted to each other and fall deeply in love. But for that relationship to last it should be based on some solid foundations. Both should agree on certain things as they go through life together. Why they’re getting married, whether they will both work or not, whether they’ll have children, what beliefs and values and standards are important and vital enough to impart to their children … and so on.

“I’m not sure how many of these things you have discussed with Helen; or whether you’d be happy for any children you have not to be raised in the faith.

“As I said, you need to think about your own beliefs first and move on from there. I’ll always be here to help you and Helen if you wish. Father Donald too can help. He runs the Christian Encounter sessions for people wishing to know more about being Christians.

“Why don’t you discuss all this with Helen and let me know what you decide. She is welcome to come along with you if you wish.”