Dermot Hynes
Born 1989
Co mayo
My early experience of Catholicism was not enjoyable or inspiring. Sitting in the back of the car not feeling very inspired or awake on the way to worship the messiah as my Father and Granny have another silly argument in the front. My Granny is the typical Irish “Holy Mary”. I understand she came from a different era but observing her worship inside the church walls and then here gossip and complaints outside, was very confusing. My Fathers faith came from a fear of my granny and the backlash from not doing what she demanded. My mother is a relaxed catholic and goes to mass as routine more than anything else. This seemed to have the mark of a human creator not a Divine God with almighty power.
I went to a standard Irish catholic primary school, the religion we learned was the stories of Jesus “miracles” and some Christian prayers. Funerals and mass during school was a chance to get out of the classroom with some pupils becoming altar boys or girls to basically “doss”( get out of class). Communions and confirmations passed with more emphasis on the nice clothes and money received. Critical thinking was non existent and other religions were unknown. I was very inquisitive as a child as most children are, but I feel that being inquisitive wasn’t encouraged And nurtured. The idea that “it was gods will” is hard to swallow in the face of staggering torture and suffering in the world.
Secondary school was a former convent with some nuns still teaching. There was a religion class where we learned little about some of the other main religions but not in historical context. Mass also had to be attended on some occasions. I still prayed and “talked” to God until maybe 13 or 14 more out of hope and wishful routine. I was very lucky not to be forced to heavily or abused like many people before me but thinking back to my childhood education I realise how inhibited it was by religions stranglehold.
From my experience the majority of young people are not bothered about religion and don’t believe it. Thankfully young people nowadays have the freedom, knowledge and standard of living not have to rely on religion or be forcibly indoctrinated for the most part. Most still attend all the main religious events and get their children baptized more as tradition than any real faith.
Thanks to the internet I have been able to expand my knowledge and further my path to Humanism. There is still a stigma attached to being a non believer in Ireland but it is far less of struggle than the past. Its very important to express your opinions and be with like minded people. Not just to be in agreement on everything but to be able to explore ideas, be heard and respected.
I was made aware of Humanist west by my neighbour (Tom White, to whom I am very grateful ). I was very impressed by the warm and kind people, who were willing to listen and converse. My young teen mind would have loved to have had the opportunity to talk and explore the philosophy of humanism but it wasn’t available. I believe that education involving rationality, morals and ethics must be brought to schools. Children should be taught how to think critically and scientifically and given all knowledge available including comparative religion in its historical context. The more questions children get to ask and are answered with the true scientific answer I believe the more inspired and full of wonderment they will be without the need for the divine creator.
My morals and rationality are in place because it is best for the well being of myself and the rest of the human race. I am in awe and wonder of so much that this world and universe has to offer and wish to question and explore it, not to put it down to an invisible deity who causes so much suffering. I am willing to say I don’t know just as quickly as I say its opposite. For me Humanism is a positive philosophy for the growth of Humanities best attributes and achieving every Human beings potential. I hope that nationalities and other barriers fall away in the future so that the human race is a global family to face problems and enjoy this amazing experience together.
Born 1989
Co mayo
My early experience of Catholicism was not enjoyable or inspiring. Sitting in the back of the car not feeling very inspired or awake on the way to worship the messiah as my Father and Granny have another silly argument in the front. My Granny is the typical Irish “Holy Mary”. I understand she came from a different era but observing her worship inside the church walls and then here gossip and complaints outside, was very confusing. My Fathers faith came from a fear of my granny and the backlash from not doing what she demanded. My mother is a relaxed catholic and goes to mass as routine more than anything else. This seemed to have the mark of a human creator not a Divine God with almighty power.
I went to a standard Irish catholic primary school, the religion we learned was the stories of Jesus “miracles” and some Christian prayers. Funerals and mass during school was a chance to get out of the classroom with some pupils becoming altar boys or girls to basically “doss”( get out of class). Communions and confirmations passed with more emphasis on the nice clothes and money received. Critical thinking was non existent and other religions were unknown. I was very inquisitive as a child as most children are, but I feel that being inquisitive wasn’t encouraged And nurtured. The idea that “it was gods will” is hard to swallow in the face of staggering torture and suffering in the world.
Secondary school was a former convent with some nuns still teaching. There was a religion class where we learned little about some of the other main religions but not in historical context. Mass also had to be attended on some occasions. I still prayed and “talked” to God until maybe 13 or 14 more out of hope and wishful routine. I was very lucky not to be forced to heavily or abused like many people before me but thinking back to my childhood education I realise how inhibited it was by religions stranglehold.
From my experience the majority of young people are not bothered about religion and don’t believe it. Thankfully young people nowadays have the freedom, knowledge and standard of living not have to rely on religion or be forcibly indoctrinated for the most part. Most still attend all the main religious events and get their children baptized more as tradition than any real faith.
Thanks to the internet I have been able to expand my knowledge and further my path to Humanism. There is still a stigma attached to being a non believer in Ireland but it is far less of struggle than the past. Its very important to express your opinions and be with like minded people. Not just to be in agreement on everything but to be able to explore ideas, be heard and respected.
I was made aware of Humanist west by my neighbour (Tom White, to whom I am very grateful ). I was very impressed by the warm and kind people, who were willing to listen and converse. My young teen mind would have loved to have had the opportunity to talk and explore the philosophy of humanism but it wasn’t available. I believe that education involving rationality, morals and ethics must be brought to schools. Children should be taught how to think critically and scientifically and given all knowledge available including comparative religion in its historical context. The more questions children get to ask and are answered with the true scientific answer I believe the more inspired and full of wonderment they will be without the need for the divine creator.
My morals and rationality are in place because it is best for the well being of myself and the rest of the human race. I am in awe and wonder of so much that this world and universe has to offer and wish to question and explore it, not to put it down to an invisible deity who causes so much suffering. I am willing to say I don’t know just as quickly as I say its opposite. For me Humanism is a positive philosophy for the growth of Humanities best attributes and achieving every Human beings potential. I hope that nationalities and other barriers fall away in the future so that the human race is a global family to face problems and enjoy this amazing experience together.