I find myself fidgeting with this gold cross necklace my grandmother gave me when I’m thinking or nervous. It’s relaxing. Usually, religion provides me with a comforting sense of safety and guidance. Oftentimes, I find my progressive political views clashing with the church’s stances on controversial topics. I’ve struggled with my identity as a Catholic and a progressive. I’ve recently started to understand that these two aspects of my personality don’t need to confuse me. I can be a devout Christian and a progressive. Let me explain how I have reconciled my beliefs.
I follow my heart, and I use the major principles of Christianity when approaching inflammatory topics. The most important principles in my faith are loving God and loving my neighbor. All of the other readings and prayers are minor details, and they can be followed back to these two overarching ideals. Don’t get me wrong, I love details as much as the next writer, and I know they’re important. I don’t let myself get too caught up in the complex rules and teachings of the church. I personally forget the whole point of the smaller things: to facilitate the love of God and others. It’s easy to get lost in the rules of the church and to use them to judge other people’s actions or lifestyles, but these just evoke judgment, hostility and anger. I trust my instincts, my gut and my heart. I use compassion, kindness and love when forming my opinions and beliefs. I let these two principles, my heart and my research guide my opinions on the world.
I’m a member of a religious group on campus, and I’m also a columnist here at The Alligator, where I often write about my views on politics and current events. It can be nerve-wracking talking to my religious friends who feel differently than I do because I love my friendships. I can’t help but worry about our differing views creating a rift between us or causing them to doubt my faith. I’m afraid of creating a confrontation. I’ve found that the only way to alleviate these fears is by giving my friends a chance to dispel them. Just as I don’t judge my friends for their political beliefs, I need to trust my friends to respect my opinions, too. I’ve slowly started facilitating honest, respectful conversations with my religious community about my personal beliefs. Taking that leap of faith has bolstered my relationships because it has taught me people can respect each other’s opinions without agreeing. I used to think there was no gray area in life. That there is a clear right and wrong. I’ve learned, however, sometimes there isn’t a clear right or wrong. People have different opinions and that’s okay. My opinion doesn’t have to always match my friends’ opinions.
Lastly, and most importantly, I draw the line between church and state. I’m not blind to the fact that the church sometimes disagrees with the progressive agenda. While this disagreement may leave me personally conflicted about which entity my soul aligns with, these disagreements don’t interfere with how I vote. One of the things I love about the United States is its identity. We are a nation of immigrants that was founded partly in search of religious freedom. We have no national religion. We aren’t governed by religion; we are governed by the Constitution. I believe it’s my responsibility as an American citizen to respect and uphold these founding principles first and foremost, despite their contradictions with the church.
In short, I’m Catholic, and I am very devoted to my religion. But I’m also progressive and I’m very passionate about my political beliefs. I don’t fit into just one mold of a sweet Catholic girl or an outspoken progressive writer. I’ve learned that there is a way to be both.
Chasity Maynard is a UF journalism freshman. Her column appears on Fridays.
Susan Johnson bends to light one of the 352 candles in St. Patrick Catholic Church, located at 500 NE 16th Ave., on Thursday night. The candles, which represented the 352 inmates on death row in Florida, were part of the church’s Cities for Life Day event.
