This I believe

Hailey Hinkle

Chapman-Roach

5/14/08

AP English VI

I believe in the Father that created me, the Son that died for me, and the Holy Spirit that lives within me. I can not explain my relationship with God. It is personal and I believe that no one can understand another person’s faith. Faith is something you hold in your heart and something you know in your head. It is something you feel and something that you experience. No one can understand what you feel and no one can have the same experiences as you. I believe that my faith is different from everyone else‘s faith, but I do not expect to understand yours. It is something you experience and something you develop. It is something that you know and something that is personal to you, just like my faith is to me I do not feel you should be mistreated because you do not go to my church, do not worship in the same way I do, or if you do not have faith in my God at all. It is not something I can control and I have no right to look down on you because your beliefs are different from mine. You are a person and someone that I should respect and love because you, like me, are human too. I am asked to serve and love, not judge and hate. I believe that I should not be discriminated against because I have faith in God. I am not perfect and I make mistakes just like everyone else. If I do not judge you, then why should you judge me? I also know that I cannot force faith on you. It is something you have to want and something you have to believe in. You have to want faith to get faith in return. I believe that I should be an example for those who need one, that I should not judge because it is not my place to, and that I should devote my time to the faith I’ve created over the years. I know that not everyone feels this way and I know that I should not make you see things the way I do unless you choose to. I am a firm believer in loving everyone regardless of their appearances, their lifestyles, or faith. If you believe in Pan the Bread God, then who am I to judge you? If you feel it in your heart, know it in your head, and act upon it with your life then I respect your beliefs because it is something to admire in every individual. I am a Catholic living in the Bible Belt of Oklahoma and I know that I have purpose in my life. My purpose is that I was meant to grow up here and that I was meant to find my personal faith in Catholicism. I know it is not meant for everyone and not respected by all but it is the faith I want for myself. So if you ask me about my faith I will tell you: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord…