Life is a journey that lasts a millisecond. It’s our brief moment in eternity.
So what, if anything, is the purpose of this exercise? Is it a cruel joke orchestrated by some malevolent spirit lounging somewhere out in the universe? Is this force simply bored, with nothing better to do than allow millions of innocent children to cry every day and night, many of them painfully dying because of a lack of food in a world overflowing with food abundance? This horror is inflicted on them, while repeatedly being told they are loved by their god.
Ridiculous, isn’t it? And yet, millions of people worldwide cling to the untenable belief their god is the perfect one that/who will eventually “call them home” to some mythical place called “heaven”.
Apparently, it’s located at an, as yet, unchartered location somewhere in the sky above us. Seriously. As I was constantly told while growing up in fiercely-Roman Catholic Ireland, “You’ll get your reward in the next life, but not this one.” Interestingly, they routinely told me I’d be going to hell, not heaven.
Back then, children who died shortly after birth were refused burial in Catholic cemeteries because their original sins would not have been forgiven unless first sprinkled with water and words in ancient Latin, uttered by a male priest claiming to be celibate. The parents of these innocent babies were then subjected to additional pain by having to bury their babies elsewhere in unconsecrated ground. It’s impossible to begin to fathom the depth of pain unnecessarily inflicted on them.
The Catholic church in Ireland was so powerful when I was growing up that no important political decisions were ever made by the government without first getting approval from the church hierarchy. A few brave politicians’ careers were destroyed when they had the temerity to suggest societal plans that posed a threat to church power. One of the few to succeed was a family friend of ours, Education Minister Donach O’Malley. He forcefully pushed through free secondary education legislation for all, much to the chagrin of the Irish Catholic church. The lives of future generations were irrevocably changed for the better because of his courage and foresight.
Fortunately, over the years, Catholic church power has been severely eroded not only in Ireland but also worldwide, to the point that in many countries, they no longer possess significant moral authority.
While preaching modestly and sexual abstinence, they had for centuries routinely been involved in sexual escapades that focused primarily, but not exclusively, on vulnerable, young, innocent boys and girls. What I find even more outrageous is the evil behavior of the Catholic hierarchy from Bishop level up to corporate headquarters in Rome. Their sole concern always has been to protect their corporate brand while limiting legal fees and financial restitution.
Adding insult to injury, they invariably denied responsibly while simultaneously offering meaningless, pious platitudes to those harmed. Only recently, Cardinal Pell in Australia was sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence for sexual abuse. He still remains a prince of the Catholic church. After his conviction, his arrogant attorney said it was unfair because “the crimes were only of the vanilla type.” Shame on him!
As you will have realized by now, I’m not a fan of religion, but I do admire various churches’ corporate brilliance. Where else could a business be set up, and yes, it IS a business, whereby one has a product that does not exist; but whether it does or not, the consumer will be dead before possibly benefiting. So, no possible product recall or refund of monies paid. And they have tax exempt status! But the Catholic church brings everything to a unique level. Not only is it a tax-free business, it’s also a state with embassies all over the world, thereby, giving it powerful political influence. Brilliant!
I’m reluctant to comment on clerical or religious abuse here in the Philippines because it’s imprudent, perhaps even unsafe, for me to do so. But even the most basic research shows the magnitude of this evil behavior that is contradictory to any norms of decency. On an almost amusing note relating to vows of poverty, the biggest Jollibee in a sizable town on Cebu island is owned by a Catholic priest. The business is built on Church property. Sweet!
Those of you reading who consider yourself religious may be fuming over my comments. If so, please ask yourself why. What precisely is it that offends you? Why would you feel insecure by the comments of an unbeliever? I ask you not to patronizingly feel sorry for me, nor offer to pray for me because of your perception that I’m unsaved, and therefore, doomed eventually to wander in eternal misery.
As a former attorney, I learned that truth is an absolute defense. Despite that, I’m open to rational, logical, non-emotional arguments against my position. If you can provide that, I’d delight in hearing from you.
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Author’s email: irishauthormichaelcassidy@gmail.com
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