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Do you agree with Natalie's points about the Catholic Church being "Anti-Women"?

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Mostly, some things I disagree with as someone who was raised Catholic

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Do you agree with Grace's statement about the Catholic Church being supportive of homosexuality?

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Mostly, some things I disagree with as someone who was raised Catholic

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Grace's Experience Growing up Non-Religious

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Grace's Experience Growing up Non-Religious

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Growing up in a non-religious household, I was taught that I could believe whatever I wanted to, or what fit my knowledge the best. I was taught that women should be treated as equals to men, and deserve to be celebrated in whatever life path that they choose. I ultimately did not end up falling into a religion, but have appreciation for whatever any woman or person chooses to believe in or follow. I think the most important thing is that everyone has the right to choose!

-Grace

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"The Catholic Church Supports and Accepts Homosexuality"

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"The Catholic Church Supports and Accepts Homosexuality"

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Check out this fantastic article/interview done by "The Catholic Woman" as they ask hard and insightful questions to Sister Theresa Aletheia, member of the Catholic Church.

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No Woman is Only Woman: Distilling the Feminine Genius from Stereotypes - The Catholic Woman

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I definitely believe women make unique contributions to family and society, but I also think the Church has a long way to go in communicating the implications of this reality. What does it really mean to be a woman in today's world? What does it mean to be a man?

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“The Catholic Church teaches that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered” and calls on gay people to practice “chastity,” though it also calls on Catholics to treat gay men and women with “respect, compassion and sensitivity.” (Pew Research Center, Nov. 2020)

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Natalie's Experience Growing up Catholic

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Natalie's Experience Growing up Catholic

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I was raised in a catholic family and home where we were devout believers. I was confirmed at a young age after being baptized and going to Sunday school religiously. No, I don't think there should be a universal religion or that there are good and incorrect ways for people to practice their faith. I am appreciative of how my religion has shaped my outlook on life, though. I believe that having a source of guidance and belief throughout my entire life has helped shape who I am now. I believe the reason I am so appreciative of my religious upbringing and background is that it was never forced upon me. That, in my opinion, is where the problem lies, when people start to hate other people and other religions. Furthermore, I was never instructed to stop practicing my religion. I believe it's important to remember that women weren't previously allowed to openly practice their religions or hold positions of authority in churches. I was brought up to practice this faith, as well as my own. My Catholic faith was taught to me as an enhancement to my life, not as a must, and I was reared as an equal. I have decided to stick with my religious path because it provides me comfort and the opportunity to have faith in anything. I firmly think that God has different plans for each person and that everything happens for a reason. Religion and beliefs are a means of self-expression, and I think everyone, regardless of background, gender, sexual orientation, or skin colour, has the freedom to select their path or practices. When it comes to religion, there is no right or wrong answer.

-Natalie

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First women to have been ordained as Ministers in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

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First women to have been ordained as Ministers in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

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The consequences of being forced into a religious practice as an adult. This is a Reddit interview titled “Anyone else feel that they were negatively effected by a super religious upbringing?” 

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The consequences of being forced into a religious practice as an adult. This is a Reddit interview titled “Anyone else feel that they were negatively effected by a super religious upbringing?” 

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Mona Eltahawy Response when being questioned about her image and religion. 

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Mona Eltahawy Response when being questioned about her image and religion. 

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Eltahawy was asked this in an interview “You say that you identify as a Muslim. You are also a red-haired, non-hijab-wearing Muslim woman. And this is not an accident. Can you tell us a bit about the political choices behind your hair and headscarf?” And this was her response:

“I often tell people, everything I do is political. I f**k for political reasons, I eat for political reasons, I look the way that I look for political reasons, especially in this day and age where we are only allowed to be one thing. I am determined to complicate the image of Muslim women. This is why I called my book Headscarves and Hymens, because I am fighting against the dichotomous paradigm that Muslim women are given – what’s on our head and what’s between our legs. I insist on saying that I am more than that.

I want to create my own space and say, ‘This is my Islam’. I refuse to give that up to the clerics, the men, the conservatives. I am this kind of a Muslim [gestures to herself] and you will accept me the way that I am because it is my right as a Muslim to identify exactly this way.”

Her response confirms our outlook that there is no right or wrong way to practice your religion, and your looks should not determine anything.

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Quick facts on religious vs non-religious women having children

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Quick facts on religious vs non-religious women having children

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Religious women in Canada are having more children than non-religious women and report less anxiety about childbearing and parenthood, according to a new report from Cardus.

Non-religious women under 30 report more than twice the amount of concern about financial obstacles to childbearing compared to women who regularly attend religious services.

It could be that religion and the community that comes along with it, both do a good job of psychology preparing people for all of life's hardships, said Lyman Stone, the study's author.

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Approximately 12.6 million people, or more than one-third of Canada's population, reported having no religious affiliation. The proportion of this population has more than doubled in 20 years, going from 16.5% in 2001 to 34.6% in 2021.