Religion: it is the center of much debate. Typically, the debate comes from two strong-willed members of different religious organizations. In modern-day collegiate America, religious debate is composed of religious members and religion disbelievers. I am not one to shame someone for not participating in religion or spirituality. I think that a person’s connection to a higher power, or even just the Earth, is an incredibly personal decision. Putting faith in anything is an incredibly intimate thing. I believe all true religion at its core is good; however, religion is made by man and things surely go awry sometimes.

As a Catholic college student, I have experienced a lot of religion-shaming when I share my experiences in the Catholic faith. I am aware of the negative connotations that the Catholic Church has, and in no way do I support all things the Church says or does. Once again, religion is made by man, and it is not a perfect organizational structure. That being said, I don’t share many of the social views of the Church, and I know many Catholics who share this view with me.

Recently, we celebrated “Ash Wednesday,” which is an important religious mass that takes place prior to Easter and jumpstarts the season of Lent. This was the first year in four years that I did not have Ash Wednesday Mass scheduled into my school day, so I carefully planned a time in the day where I could sneak away to Church to celebrate mass and receive my ashes. For those who are not aware, at Ash Wednesday Mass, ashes are applied in the shape of a cross to the forehead of church members. The ashes represent that we are sinners, but we are forgiven. I went to 7:30 p.m. mass, so I stumbled home around 9 p.m. When I walked through the door, someone yelled, “What the hell is on your face?” I was a little taken back mostly because I had shared with my roommates earlier that I would be gone to celebrate Ash Wednesday. I brushed it off though, thinking maybe she just wasn’t aware of the tradition. I explained the ashes and the cross and the meaning behind it. I’m not entirely sure of the response I got, but I know it upset me enough that I said, “Hey, don’t make fun of my religion,” in a half-joking tone (trying to downplay my annoyance). Then she responded with, “Well, you’re wearing your religion on your forehead!” Now I was pissed. This was not a rude or mean person; in fact, she is an activist for the equality of people. I have even heard her support other religious members' right to wear their traditional outfitting in public. I went to bed that night confused. Am I being shamed for being Catholic? Am I being shamed for showing my religion? Why is it OK for other religions to be supported but not mine? Why does such a knowledgable source on social justice not see what she just said as inappropriate?

After a few days, I basically blocked the whole situation out and I moved forward. I was small-talking with some other friends when one shared that her roommate had her boyfriend over a lot, but they don’t have sex period, so she never is worried about intruding on them. One of my friends chimed in with, “What, is her boyfriend asexual?” I found her question a little jarring. For starters, I think it was quite a personal question to ask someone. Secondly, why does someone have to be asexual just because they aren’t in a sexual relationship? Before my friend could answer the question regarding the question of sexuality, I said, “Or they just practice abstinence!” She clearly was pissed by my tone, and ripped me a new one saying that my brain only goes there first because I went to Catholic school. She followed this comment by stating that she is into social justice so her mind first goes to sexuality. Now I was livid. What? I’m not into social justice because I grew up religious? Abstinence is not just a Catholic practice, and it is taught in health classrooms worldwide.

These two experiences opened my eyes to an issue I wasn’t aware existed. In a modern world, where it is popular to deny religion as a whole, is it brave to support any religion? Going to an art school, I meet a lot of very liberal students, and I love what many of them teach. I believe in accepting all people as they are. I just feel like in a time where there is so much support for underrepresented groups, there is shaming of the “stereotypical Christian people.” Just because I love my religion and the tradition within it, does not make me someone who doesn’t support the social rights of others. I can still be open-minded and accepting of all while being a member of the Catholic Church. I don’t think it’s fair to judge an entire group of people off of a select few bad members. I understand why people my age don’t like religion. We have seen it basically destroy countries, and we have seen it shame good people for their born identities. However, this is not what religion is about. Religion is not just about social and political issues. Religion is about a faith or belief in a higher force, and for many, it is the practice of lifelong traditions. Maybe I have been privileged that I have never experienced prejudice for my identity. I am glad that my generation is committed to being accepting and supportive of so many special groups of people. However, I really hope that the acceptance from all can be from a genuine place. Because just to be clear, if you are going to say you accept all people for who they are, you can’t just choose to support the groups that are culturally relevant. Stop shaming people for being religious and redefine what acceptance and tolerance is…FOR ALL.