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Growing Up Roman Catholic

As you can tell from the title of this part, I've grown up in a Roman Catholic family/household. I will tell you one thing though. I am not Roman Catholic anymore; I'm actually Atheist and if it bugs you to much you can leave. So in this part I'm going to tell you my experience with growing up in a Roman Catholic family. 

Disclaimer: I am in no way trying to force my opinion on you. This just MY opinion and feel free to disagree with me. This is my experience with religion. Oh yeah, this may be slight PG-13 too. 

1. I was forced into shit

First, I was forced to be Roman Catholic. I honestly wish I had the choice but I never did. I honestly don't think you should baptize your children until they are old enough themselves to say they want to be baptized so you're giving them a choice. I didn't have that choice. I was baptized at 3 months old. Not only was I forced to be baptized I was forced to take religion classes from pre-school up through 8th grade. In the 2nd grade I was forced to have my first reconciliation and first communion. By the time I was in 8th grade my parents and family practically blackmailed me into being confirmed. I don't even remember what my confirmation name is and it's only been 3-4 years since it happened. After 8th grade my mom finally gave me the choice if I wanted to go to religion classes anymore and I decided to screw that. 

It was at this point I decided I was Atheist. I think their is some higher power, but I'm not sure it's God. Because let's admit it, why would He let all the awful shit that happens in the world happen if he existed. I can't justify there being God just because people believe in Him. People used to believe in the Greek gods too. I can't justify believing in something just because other people do. 

2. I have serious anxiety because of my family

My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and some of my cousin are seriously committed to being Roman Catholic. We always have to say grace before meals and I am terrified of them telling me to leading the prayer because I don't fucking know it. It gives me anxiety thinking about having to lead it. 

3. This is true for me

Earlier today to help me get ideas for this part I was reading stuff about growing up in a Roman Catholic household articles. One of them mentioned and I quote, "The most vehement atheists you know are former Catholic school classmates." 

Now this is pretty much true for me. I didn't go to Catholic school because my town only has a public school, but most of us went to religion classes for our first period classes all through elementary. My friends and I were all forced into this and we are probably some of the biggest atheists in our school now. We're all secret about it though because we would get shunned more than we already do if it got out. 

4. My sex ed classes sucked (not literally of course)

Because my town is 99% Roman Catholic we followed the Roman Catholic (and most likely as far as  I know most Christian) stance on sex. They literally only told us to not have sex before marriage. That's it. That's not going to work, you actually have to teach kids. I had to learn most of what I know from conversations with my friends and the internet. 

My sex ed teacher tried to convince us french kissing is sex because there's "penetration" involved. That is not sex, it's kissing. 

Sex is apparently only for procreation purposes. Okay, have fun trying to convince the world of that one. 

The sex ed teacher told us guys are completely disgusting if they masturbate and that girls don't masturbate. All of this is completely false. Why does it matter what someone else does with their body? Just wash your hands before you come near me again. Literally, my friends and I have conversations about this at lunch. The other day my friend's boyfriend was being a smart ass like usual and she told him jokingly to go fuck himself. His response was and I quote "Do you want me to pull my pants down and do it right here?" I suggest not doing that because you're in public.

5. Being traditionally straight

This is a continuation of number four. Traditionally the Church is against anyone that isn't traditionally straight. I'm not quite sure what their stance is anymore, but I know people still aren't too fond of anyone who's not straight. 

Now this is where we can get into my sexuality. I'm not traditionally straight a huge no-no in my family. I'm asexual. I don't care what other people do, but the thought of me having sex disgusts me. I don't even like changing my tampon because I have to pretty much touch myself to do so. I hate it. You do whatever you want, and I'll do what I want. 

BTW, if you have questions on asexuality check out HeyoDamo YouTube channel. Also if you want me to make an entire part on sexuality leave a comment. 

6. Your house is decorated with random ass pictures of you

Literally, my family's idea of decorating is putting up random pictures of me and my siblings of our first communion, baptism, other religious ceremonies. It's weird and creepy and I don't like seeing some many uncomfortable pictures of myself. 

7. It doesn't even make sense

The Church says you can't eat meat on Friday's during Lent, but can eat fish. Then what is fish bitch if it isn't a meat. What the fuck is it then? You're eating an animal. It's a meat. Not eating meat is absolutely complete bullshit. I looked it up once my they do this during Lent. You know why they do this? It's because their used to a shit ass fish market and then when the Church decided you can't eat meat on Friday's during Lent but can eat fish. The fish market boomed during those weeks so that's why they do it. That's fucking stupid. I don't even like fish and if I want to a hamburger on a Friday during Lent then I fucking will. 

8. Easter

I don't really give a shit about this holiday. I just want food and if my family is willing to cook food for me I'll be there. But there is way too much hype around it. I just want to hang out with my family and make jokes. 

9. Die hard Roman Catholic conservatives

Most of my family are conservative republicans and I'm not. I'm a liberal democrat. Like I support Sanders one hundred percent and honestly believe anyone but Trump is good enough in this election. Luckily my family agrees about Trump. But they don't agree with me rooting for Sanders. I didn't vote for him in the primaries, I voted on the Republican ticket to vote against Trump. 

10. College

My family is very insistent that I go to a Roman Catholic college. I don't want to, I want to go to a public school. So I finally convinced my family to go along with that and now they want me to a local college. There is a college less than a hour away from my house that has my program, but I don't want to go there. It cost so much more than the college I want to go, almost $10,000 less than the college near me. Why would I spend that much more for college? 

Anyway, this all for this part. This was just on my mind today while sitting at an Easter party with my oh so religious family. I didn't talk to anyone there I read a book. 

So if you guys want any advice on anything: social issues, day to day advice, my opinion on something, writing advice, etc. I'll make a part for it. 

I've been thinking about doing a part on sexuality or body image or something along those lines. If you guys want that leave a comment for me. 

~ Alexis