Ep 89 - Examining Religion’s Role in Our Spiritual Lives

“Interpretation evolves. It changes with the people who are changing.” - Leslieann Hobayan

Welcome to another episode of Spiritual Grit Podcast!

In today's episode, I talk about my recent Catholic mass experience (thankfully I attended virtually for reasons you’ll soon find out). The new priest gave his homily, stating his beliefs plain and simple: marriage which is for only a man and woman only; being gay/homosexual is a sin; divorce is also a sin. He really jammed all the hot button issues into one foaming-at-the-mouth speech. There was no nuance, no room for discussion. Needless to say, it felt abusive and I was activated. This experience raises the question: what is the role of religions like Catholicism in a world that is quickly evolving to show that it doesn’t matter what religion you practice, but how you love? What is the role of the old stodgy dogma of Roman Catholicism--which feels very distant from Jesus’s message of love-- in this rapidly-changing 21st century ? Are practices like Catholicism useful in spiritual growth? In our overall evolution?

Listen along to this full episode to learn more about how I continue to be disappointed (but, unfortunately not surprised) by the American Catholic Church.

Original Translation of Homosexuality reference: https://um-insight.net/perspectives/has-“homosexual”-always-been-in-the-bible/

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Follow me on Instagram for Maverick Mondays, Free Verse Fridays, and some real talk about healing, poetry, AND play: @leslieannhobayan or email me at leslieann@suryagian.com

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• “Trying to Wear Pants” by Hafiz
• “Easter Bonifacio High Street” by Joseph Legaspi

Membership(s)/Retreat(s) Mentioned:

• Joyful Meditation : https://suryagian.com/joyful-meditation