Religion has always been a very sensitive and controversial topic to discuss. Since there are many different types of practices worldwide, not everyone believes in the same God. Religion can be defined in many different ways. However, religion to me is the belief of the higher power. No matter what religion you feel comfortable practicing; the main idea is to believe in the highest divine person.
             Depending on which religion you practice, there are different symbols that may have sentimental value to you. The cross is the symbol that is used in the Catholic religion to remind us that Jesus died on that cross for our sins. As I meditate and look at that cross and the first thing that can come to mind is thank you. I close my eyes and can feel my body aches as I can picture the Pharisees beating him until his skin opened. The cuts were so deep you can see through his flesh. After all the beatings, he was then crucified. Nails were hammered right through the skin. I get this skiving feeling and my stomach just turns on the thought of this being done to another human.
             When I was younger I went to church with my mom every Sunday. I went to Sunday school and prepared for First communion, penance, and confirmation. I found it so boring when I had to sit for one whole hour, which felt like an entire day, and listen to what a man wearing a robe had to say. I knew it was a time to be serious and quite, but I could not stay still. I would talk to my friends and the old ladies would always have to tell us to be quite. It was not until I was eighteen that I began to understand the importance of mass and the goodness of his creation. After I experienced a life and death tragedy during surgery of the removal of a tumor, I wanted to thank God in a way that I had never done before. I was invited to a weekend of praise at a charismatic center at St. Anthony of Padua church in the Bronx. I did not know what to expect but as a typical t...