For this I pray: we’ve got to shake the faith.

I am an atheist, but I have often considered which religion I regard most highly. Were I to have to become religious myself, Buddhism would be my first choice, due to its lack of a deity, but if this were not an option, perhaps due to the fact that it is regarded by some as more of a philosophy than a religion, then I would probably become Christian, simply because I have attended Christian schools and have therefore been most indoctrinated by Christian teachings.

Christianity has several branches, though, so I still have choices. In the most basic form, the options are Catholicism or Protestantism, the former being the more traditional form of Christianity and the latter being a more modern version. As somebody who is usually very open-minded (there are exceptions), it would seem that Protestantism would be the more appropriate choice to make, as Protestants are typically more lenient with their rules. However, I have fundamental issues with Protestantism: the Bible is their guide, as it is in Catholicism, but Protestant beliefs change to fit the times, whereas Catholic principles remain pretty much constant. This seems to be positive regarding the Protestants – indeed, I consider it better that things like the ordination of female bishops are now permitted in Anglican churches, in keeping with the modern views on equality, but I think it goes against the faith: Protestantism, to me, seems to be a case of:

“Here’s our holy book, everything it says is right.”

x years later:

“This bit isn’t actually quite right.”

Another x years later:

“We’ve changed this bit too.”

A further x years later:

“We’ve also changed our minds about this part.”

Catholicism, on the other hand, says, “Here is our book, these are our beliefs, and we’re sticking to them!” and whilst some of the views may not fit with the times, at least they are consistent. I have more respect for the people who follow what their Bible says as much as they can, rather than those who follow the Bible’s guidance to some extent and then do other things simply to fit in with society. I see Catholicism as Christians who truly believe in their faith, and want to adhere to the rules as closely as they can, but Protestantism, I think, is religion for cowards: they simply try to uphold moral values typical of most people in modern society and give it a religious title, meaning that they get to go to heaven at the end of it.

Whilst I may disagree with some of the viewpoints held by Catholics, I think they are the better, more real religion. For this reason, if I had to choose a faith to follow, Catholicism would be it. However, most definitely now and in the foreseeable future, I think atheism suits me perfectly.

~Tamsyn.