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“One could, with some freedom of expression, call Jesus a ‘free spirit’—he cares nothing for what is fixed.”

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People are difficult; many are self-centered, negative, hostile, and sometimes do things that are plain and simply evil.

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Last week I got to meet a man in the last six hours of his life, although I obviously didn’t know that at the time.

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The best thing about being a young adult right now is that you, more than any previous generation, have the freedom and the resources to create your own religion. So, let’s get started.

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It wasn’t till sophomore year, after a conference over Christmas break, that I started to truly give my life to God.

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Although not overly involved in the Catholic Church, I consider myself a religious person.

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Today I was having a particularly self-absorbed day. I was diligently stewing in distaste for the inordinate amount time I’m required to spend with myself. In addition to my self loathing over substantial writer’s block, I’m a bridesmaid in my friends wedding in 3 weeks and I’m convinced my arms look like they belong on a chubby baby.

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On the better days, we all simply have to wait for the “all clear” and on the worst of days, we all have to live through the tragedy one thought at a time. In the darkest of trials we find that friends, relatives and even religious rituals rap themselves around us for the simple purpose of giving us something else to think about or at the very least a different way of thinking about what was previously unthinkable.

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The most beautiful things arise from the least promising situations.

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Too many religious communities, the one in which I grew up included, prize–more than service to and advocacy for the oppressed–pre-marital virginity. To “lose your virginity” before your wedding day is to relegate yourself to the margins of the congregation–shame and self-loathing your near-constant companions.