Topic: Religion and Interpretive Drift
Source:A talk with a family member regarding religion (a very opinionated family member may I add)and expressing my feelings of the religion I used to practice.
Relation:Interpretive drift is defined as "the slow, often unacknowledged shift in some one's manner of interpreting events as he or she becomes involved with a particular activity" (Robbins,pg.94, 2012). The text also mentions that when someone begins to practice of even play with a new belief or idea, they begin to see new patterns and connections that they did not see before. This is a very interesting idea that can very much apply to my life.
Description:I had a conversation with a family member regarding the Catholic religion and asked me why I do not go to church anymore. This is a difficult topic to discuss with anyone in general but especially with family who tends to be very pushy and opinionated about their beliefs with their loved ones. I think my drift away from the Catholic religion started with my father's death. Along with any dramatic and life changing event like this one, their may be changes in the way a person sees their world. That is what happened to me. I began to question everything a lot more and did not limit myself to any one single idea about religion and spirituality. I did a lot of soul searching for a while and took up yoga and meditating. These practices I feel like, helped heal me and everything I was going through. Yoga is all about being in the present moment and bringing peace of mind and that idea really stuck with me. I still practice yoga till this day and believe it has a profound positive impact in my life and the things I do. I did not find this to be with Catholicism and tried to explain to the family member where I was coming from. It is a tough conversation to have, but I tried my best.
Commentary/Analysis:I guess a little ethnocentrism came into play in this situation. My family member seemed to be pushing the idea and religion of Catholicism on me without any regard to how I felt and what I had been through that had changed my beliefs. I have to admit, I felt a little attacked but kept my cool. Religion seems to be ones of those things that is assumed in a family system. Because your family is a certain religion, you are "supposed" to believe in that as well. At least, that is what I have seen in my family life. I hope the future generations can be more open about letting their children and family members free to explore and express spirituality as they see suits them best.
That's a tough situation for anyone of any religion or family. I have a very similar family situation except my family are devout Protestants. I actually haven't had this kind of dialogue with them yet for fear of rejection. I have had verbal attacks on my Facebook and email from my relatives about how secular my attitude appears in my profile and correspondence. I shudder to think of a conversation with them where the subject leaps from "you are not religious enough" to "you are not religious, you filthy sinner".
ReplyDeleteYour description of how Interpretive drift came Into perspective in your life, is touching to sa the least. The struggle you have with your family has also been a perspective of my family. Though I do not practice catholiscm as my religion their are concepts I like to keep to my heart. In the end it is your choice and no one can say who or what you believe in.
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