From: Natalie@yabbs
To: Cat@yabbs
Subject: re: Always ;late with replys
Date: Tue Jun  7 12:35:27 1994

well, here's my $.02 on religion and faith and its benefits....

I just got back from the funeral of my great uncle, who I loved very very 
much.  He had cancer, so we all knew death was imminent, and I did go see 
him in the hospital so I got a chance to tell him I loved him and to say 
goodbye (which I didn't get with my mother), so I'm okay about that.  But 
the funeral was Catholic.  My whole family is Catholic, with the exception 
of myself and my sister.  Me, I'mmore of a Gnostic than anythingelse, and 
my  sister is fundamentalist born again.  Now, when it comes to things 
like this, I don't know any of the rituals.  I can't BELIEVE what the 
priest is saying about eternal life in heaven, because i'm not real sure 
aboutthe next plane of existence (i'm an agnostic gnostic).  But I can see 
that there is some comfort in the ritual and tradtion of belonging to a 
specific church or faith.  I don't have that comfort in my life, and I'm 
just glad thatI am strong ennough not to need that kind of comfort.  
(Religion is the opiate of the masses, i know, i know)  But other ppl 
aren't as strong as I am, and I can see where religion/faith wopuld help 
them getthrough difficult periods in their lives.  it's just when they try 
to shove it down MY throat thatI get mad. 

Sorry this is so long...

natalie