Keep religion to yourself - Galway Independent

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Keep religion to yourself

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 22 August 2007

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to N. Carroll's letter (1/8/07). It may surprise this person to know that having a degree in Theology as I do, none of the views expressed were particularly new or shocking to me. The crux of the whole matter is thus: it was claimed that I am defending Amnesty International's right to have it's voice heard regarding abortion, while denying the Catholic Church the same right.

The core difference, however is this: Amnesty International is an organization devoted to doing good because it is the right thing to do - rationally and ethically; the Catholic Church as N. Carroll rightly states believes it is on a mission from a (rather vengeful, it must be said) Higher Power. They believe, in short, that things are right or wrong because God said so.

People have the right to believe the universe was created by a Spaghetti monster and that we are all descended from aliens or angels, if they so wish. That is their right and I defend it whole heartedly. However, when one attempts then, to force those views upon others and reshape the world to fit one's own narrow view of the cosmos, the line must be drawn.

While it is clearly a great comfort to many to believe in a Father-figure in the sky who condemns the wicked and rewards the faithful, in my opinion simply saying: 'I believe something is bad because an invisible man told me!' is not any basis for a moral framework for one's life. If a Catholic wishes to believe in a God and an institution that condemns and makes virtues of weakness and guilt, they are by all means free to do so. One can only ask, however, that they keep it to themselves.

Paul Grealish,
147 Wellpark Grove,
Monivea Road,
Galway

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