Ash Wednesday.

I believe that the foundation of my beliefs began with my upbringing in the Catholic faith.  Today, I joined a friend at a mass to receive my ash, and although I may have not received it for the same exact reasons she did, I used this opportunity as a reminder that now is a good time, as good as any, I suppose, to do some reflecting and on what I could do to add Peace, Light, and Love to my everyday immediate surroundings.  Thanks for your universal support.

I was born into a Catholic family with Catholic beliefs.  Through the years my parents disassociated themselves from the church and allowed me to follow my own beliefs.  Faith.  I have faith in something … something wonderful but I'm sure it's not in church nor religion.  I respect people's beliefs… I don't have an answer so I can't offer one.  The one thing I do feel strongly about is that people shouldnt choose one time to be fruitful with their fortunes…  they shouldnt give up a vice for one moment…  this should be something people practice for the love of humanity….  but only in a perfect world. 

Tolerance is a good cornerstone on which to build human relationships.

When one views the slaughter and suffering, caused by religious intolerance throughout all history of man and into modern times, one can see that intolerance is a very nonsurvival activity.

Religious tollerance does not mean one cannot express his own beliefs. It does mean that seeking to undermine or attack the religious faith and beliefs of another has always been a short road to trouble.

Philosophers since the time of ancient Greece have disputed with one another about the nature of God, man and the universe. The opinions of authorities ebb and flow. They have their own zealots who attack the beliefs and religions of others: the result can be intolerance and contention.

If all the brightest minds since the fifth century B.C. or before have never been able to agree on the subject of religion or antireligion, it is an arena of combat between people that one would do well to stay out of.

In this sea of contention, one bright principle has emerged: the right to believe as one chooses. “Faith” and “belief” do not necessarily surrender to logic: they cannot even be declared to be illogical. They can be things quite apart.

Any advice one might give another on this subject is safest when it simply asserts the right to believe as one chooses. One is at liberty to hold up his own beliefs for acceptance. One is at risk when he seeks to assult the beliefs of others, much more so when he attacks and seeks to harm others because of their religious convictions.

Men without faith are a pretty sorry lot. They can even be given something to have faith in. But when they have religious beliefs, respect them. They way to happiness can become contentious when one fails to respect the religious beliefs of others.

We all celebrate great moments of peace and serenity as those that go through the ceremony of Ash Wednesday and Lent are causing moments of prayer and honor of tradition that brings change and hope for all.

I was raised Catholic and you expressed a level of understanding that so beautifully captures the potential experience…love it…

and, Evelyn: wow.