Faith No More

Of the Faith No More Spiritual and Theological Center.... what no Bill &Ted's Fans?

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Anyway, I wanted to take a moment to talk about Faith. I had a somewhat mixed upbringing...don't believe the half-Cuban half-Welsh girl who's lived in 25 cities in 25 years had a bit of a mosaic of an upbringing?! Reeeaaaalllly?! (Sarcasm)  Let me explain...

• My Very Cuban AMERICAN (her words) Abuelita- was a former Santerist, who converted to Catholicism. But then lived by Buddhist teachings.
• My Mother who was raised Catholic had a falling out when the Church refused to marry her because she wasn't able to get her Baptismal Records from COMMUNIST CUBA
• My Father is a former hippie, reformed Republican who is basically an Atheist.
• My Nana, who by the way was NOT actually my grandmother but my Cousin's Grandmother, was Jewish.

In summary I grew up going to Catholic School, being preached to for not killing insects, being told to find my own path, and celebrating Hanukkah along with Three Kings Day and Christmas. It's a very busy time in the AZ household, the months of December and January.

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Aaaannnyway, how does this relate to our wedding? Well being the open minded people we are, we decided to both look into the Catholic Church and Mr. AZ's Lutheran Church for premarital counseling. We agreed wholeheartedly on the counseling but didn't know which would be a better fit. We met with the Church Lady at my church and were thoroughly upset.We found that particular woman upsetting and unyielding with guilt-laden tirades telling me how I had all the burden in the relationship. I am told this is not the same Church Lady found at every Church. I respect that and politely note that this was the one we encountered.

We then met with the Lutheran Pastor, who was referred to us by our Officiant Pastor W. (Mr. AZ's long time family friend who married both his sisters). We were straightforward and explained that I was of the Catholic persuasion (technically)  but we really wanted to find counseling that would help us and give us a good support system to raise our potential children in. As we talked about the differences in both Catholicism and Lutheranism we also discussed the similarities and how her congregation had many "recovering Catholics."

That is when I finally realized I'm a Recovering Catholic/Newly Agnostic. I decided to have a candid word about the Pastor with Mr. AZ saying that I felt very comfortable discussing things with her and I felt that she was open minded to my somewhat waxing/waning beliefs. So it was settled we would do our premarital counseling in the Lutheran Church.

Both Mr. AZ and I believe in open-minds towards religions and plan to help our future children understand that and see each religion has worth and meaning. Yes we will probably attend Lutheran Church, but their crazy Social Liberal/Fiscally conservative Mother will make sure they see Catholics like my Aunt, Buddhists like my FSIL, Jews like my cousin's family, yes even some Santerists in my Tia Eugenia (Great Aunt) because I think it enriches one's point of view.

Did religion get a center stage in your journey to the altar? Did you grow your beliefs or affirm them?
*Please note I respect any and all religious beliefs this is merely my religious journey.It is in no way intended to put down any religion.