One of the problems I’ve faced recently with being multicultural, besides the cultural identity issue, is of a religious issue. I don’t know who or what to believe in. Because of my mixed background I don’t know where to put my faith, if it’s okay to have faith in more than one religion, or whether I should just let go of any faith whatsoever.
Not till this past winter holiday with the family did it hit me on how multicultural we all are. I have Japanese roots on my father’s side along with Trinidadian and Venezuelan roots on my mother’s side, which my cousin shares. But he too is multicultural in his own right, for he has Uruguayan mix in his blood but has spent almost all his life growing up in New York City. His stepfather, one who I endearingly call my uncle, is a white man with southern roots from Louisiana. He too is multicultural in his own right since he has spent his life traveling abroad to many different countries across the globe in the span of over three decades. These differences that we all have is what brings us closer together, I feel. On the other hand, when it all comes down to religious belief or religious celebration, my mother, cousin, uncle--they all have one faith to look forward to; however, I would always feel torn, having trouble finding faith in more than one religion.
Being an offspring of a Buddhist father and a Roman Catholic mother never had much of an affect on me while growing up. My father was Buddhist (his family Buddhist as well) but we never paid a visit to the temple nor did we celebrate any big Asian or Japanese holiday except for the universal New Years. I was never baptized (still not) but I’ve always celebrated the Christmas holiday. We all celebrated the Catholic holidays--Christmas, Three Kings Day, Easter, etc., including my Buddhist father but I was never taught the true meaning behind those religious days.
Although, I did happen to attend my first Christmas mass with my mother and a couple of Japanese friends of mine on Christmas Eve. The entire time the patrons stood above their pews to sing in the grand house, I would always drift into my thoughts contemplating whether I’m truly agnostic, atheist, or simply lost.
It was the first time that it had hit me that my beliefs are truly puzzled, coming from this mixed background, and I didn’t know exactly where to put my faith. I also wrestled with the idea that I should just embrace the multitude of my somewhat eclectic religious beliefs (or lack thereof).
I always feel that not knowing your place in society has to be one of the most crippling feelings a man or woman can feel. Living amongst people who may not share your cultural beliefs or standards is one thing--at least you know you’re living for something and that you have morals to follow. But what if even you can’t agree on certain things about your belief or that you can’t find your place in the world because of not knowing which side of religion to choose? Since religion is looked upon as being the key into the soul, doesn’t it make it much more important knowing which side of the key you’d like for your soul, than knowing whether or not you’ll be making friends with those who don’t understand your culture? I may be mixing ideas together and if I’m confusing you, then I apologize.
But even this is new to me--learning of the religious backgrounds of those who came before me in my family.
The constant struggle of the multicultural person in today’s society, indeed; No more, is it just about the color of your skin or from what country you hail. Like the words of Tyler Durden from the film Fight Club, “Our war is a spiritual war.” Our struggle has elevated to where we put our faith now--is it okay to follow more than one faith or is it better just follow one? Or should I just abandon any belief whatsoever?
As the reader, how do you all see yourself religiously? Does it bother you or others that you’re a practitioner of more than one religious faith? How does it make you feel?
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written by R, July 31, 2009
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written by Helen Rogers , July 31, 2009
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written by Ann, August 01, 2009
What you've shared with us here is something that almost no one in the racial arena delves too much on. I commend you for opening this topic up.
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written by Dianna R , August 02, 2009
This is also my first time posting so I hope I am doing this right.
The way I've coped with religion is to embrace both of them. I take them both seriously (baptist and jewish) and believe that both faiths share the same God. I know it sounds confusing becaue how can one believe in Jesus yet not at the same time. Being tolerable to both views and respecting tradition is where I am.
You have a very colorful heritage if I might add.
-D
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written by A.A, August 02, 2009
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written by Fionah , August 05, 2009
Goodluck though in our journey.
Fionah
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written by Colorful , August 05, 2009
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written by Erika K , August 07, 2009
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