The Journey For Answers

Update and Things To Come

2010-04-09T23:54:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has read my previous posts, though I know that is a small number, I just wanted to update everyone on my progress and what will be coming relatively soon.

First of all, who knew that 13 credit hours this semester also meant two 20 page research papers, one 10 page research paper, one 10 page final paper, two 4 page book reviews, and then your usual periodic 3 page papers? Let's just say that I anticipated having more time this semester, though the semester had something else in mind for me. THUS, I haven't been able to begin researching any of my own curiosities.

This summer however, while I stay here at college and mostly just work, I should have time to get at least a few topics fairly well researched. Nothing I research (at least not this point in my life) will be as thorough as exhaustive as I would like. I simply lack the time and resources, though I absolutely intend to research these topics as thoroughly possible. Which may mean that it takes me the entire summer to research a single topic. However, for the purpose of reminding myself and giving my few readers some insight or heads up on some topics I am looking at researching, I'm going to post here some of the major topics I wish to research. Also, please keep in mind that though some of these topics are about conflicts and thus generally polarize one to choose a side, some topics I would like to research are not about conflicts- so I in these cases I will merely be looking at the history of the topic from its beginning (or as far back as I can information on), until it's present day. In the end I may take a stance, but most of my research is really to better understand topics and some conflicts.

Some of the topics of interest to me include:

- the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- the Papacy
- the structure/hierarchy of the Catholic church
- the church's view of women and how that affects womens' roles within the church
- contraceptives
- the lay people's personal relationship to God
- etc.

Why Write a Blog?

2010-02-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

To be honest, I've avoided creating a blog for a while. For one, I wasn't sure I had the time to update and maintain one at the level I want to. For another, there are so many blogs out there, so many people complaining, using internet space as their own diaries, or sharing news, their business, etc. And blogs, particularly mine, are heavily dependent on readership and responses.

However, not only am I on a personal quest for answers and changes in the world, I feel the need to share my thoughts and findings with others. I need more insight, perspectives, and different experiences than my own in this journey for answers.

But what made me decide that this is the time to create a blog, when I have piles of homework to do, a disastrous room to clean, and other odd and end errands that need to be run? (As you all may soon figure out, none of my stories are ever very short.) First let me give you some personal background- I am Catholic, born and raised. I even went to private Catholic schools from pre-school through high school, and while many are Catholic or protestant, or Muslim, simply because they were born and raised that way, I never felt that I was Catholic because I was raised that way. My church back home is very progressive and welcoming to all, I've always had an interest in theology, and for the most part, Catholicism made sense to me. When I was confirmed, it wasn't because my parents were making me (like many others), or because all of my peers were getting confirmed- I choose to be confirmed. And there was a time in my life, about the first two years of high school, where I was very religious and very spiritual. I was a Peer Leader in my youth group, and I was on the newly formed Diocesan Youth Board for the Diocese of Colorado Springs (as well as Denver). I really felt spiritually on fire. But somewhere in my junior year things began to change. I'm not sure what sparked the change, but it happened. Things such as the church protecting priests and bishops who abuse children, the church's support and active role in our patriarchal society (how women have very little roles in the church, and none of power or real influence), traditions that originated centuries ago with purposes that no longer exist- but the tradition does (such as the "rule" of no contraceptives), and other issues began to shake my faith- not in Catholicism, but in the church institution.

For quite some time I have wanted to research many of these issues, get to the bottom of things. I am not afraid of changing my mind or being proven wrong, but I need to understand the origins of many of these issues to understand their relevance in our society today, and why certain traditions are still vehemently taught and defended. However, such a task of researching all of this is quite daunting. And where do you begin? That's when I saw an article in AOL News, After Clergy Abuse Scandals, Ireland Needs a New St. Patrick by David Gibson, posted on 2/17. The article is about the Archbishop of Dublin who publicly rebuked the bishops guilty of abuse. He said that he expected them to resign. And as the article continues, it mentions other ways that the Archbishop is progressive. He believes that Catholicism should no longer be an "all boys club." This article gave me hope, a lot of hope. And in my research, in the large amounts of free time that I have (read my sarcasm there), I hope to begin corresponding with Archbishop Martin, (because he too has large amounts of free time to be answering my most difficult questions).

This article however, is what has officially launched me into the blog-sphere. I now keep a journal of all thoughts and questions that I want to research and it will eventually also contain my research notes and findings. But once again, I feel like I need more than simply taking note of these things myself. Not only do I want to reach more people with my information, opinions, and findings, but I also want more insight, other opinions, other experiences, etc.

So I highly suggest that you let me know what questions and/or issues you have as well! (And they need not be Catholic related). (I also highly suggest that you take a look at the article I've listed above.)

The Beginning of a Journey

2010-02-23T16:24:00.000-08:00

As with any journey, this journey will have a rocky beginning as I figure out what topics to address, do some research, etc. I want to stay away from personal rants and try to keep this a meaningful and at least semi-professional blog.

Also, while this is my blog, I don't want to simply spout off words to a silent audience. I want to really encourage participation from others- whether that's in the form of questions, helpful insight, respectful criticism, and links to helpful materials. (Though this is also me being hopeful that anyone out there will ever read my blog).

For now, I'm still in the brainstorming phase, trying to figure the best layout, links, etc.