Now I know why the dark ages...

This morning, I had a class on Communication III under Prof Adeva. We were tackling Self-concept then and it was mentioned that adapting to the changes in the environment could improve the concept of the self. She then set a conversation about when is the idea true. A special example was drawn from students from a Catholic high school who experienced the diversity of religion in UP.

A number of students who were from Catholic schools shared their insights about it and I didn't want to be left out. So raise goes my hand and on cue, my prof acknowledge my willingness to recite.

I shared my first experience with Christians.

During my first few weeks in college, I had this innate desire to belong in a religious group. I just had to because I'm fresh from a Catholic high school. Perhaps with some conceitedness, I didn't expect that I will encounter any other religion beyond Catholic. Back then, I was rather very eager to answer any questions that questions the set of faith to which I subscribe. I was eager to debate. Somewhat proud as if I'm a crusader for God's kingdom.

Then the opportunity to belong to a religious org came. I didn't inquire much, perhaps I had my own expectations of what a religious is like and so I went for it. It wasn't an initiation to the org though, just what seems like a general assembly. I have to say, the people there seem approachable, they seem to be good-natured and would cause no harm. Anybody in their company will feel delighted. But something about the groups makes me feel uneasy and just to make it clear, perhaps it wasn't because of them, it was because of my catholic orientation. The org is oriented for christians.

I had to say that I was caught by surprise when I learned that it was a christian org. Again, I wish to emphasize that these thoughts came from within. I felt like I was bordering towards enemy territory then. It felt like I'm betraying the religion I'm subscribing to for 15 years.

A friend of mine had, perhaps, noticed this religious conceit that I have. He notices whenever I describe other religions irrevelently. It has seaped in to my unconscious that my religion is the correct religion and others are bullshit.

Now, I think I underwent conversion but not in the Catholic sense.

UP environment has taught me how to belong in a community of diverse beliefs. I know a number of atheists in the campus. I learned to be sensitive towards other religion but some of my unconscious conceitedness are still making themselves manifest. I'm no longer surprised much if I have a seatmate whose face is covered in cloth or a classmate who is always in a long skirt every single day. I sometimes understand why the prof has disapproving remarks about the theory of evolution eventhough he/she is a Biology teacher.

Perhaps after adjusting to the new environment, then I had peace inside.

Please don't mistake this blog entry as hating my religion. All religions are filled with imperfections from my view. Mine is no exception.

With that, please enjoy this mind-blowing music video from Green Day!