Ofrendas for the futures reflection

Ofrendas for the future reflection

The work of Ophelia Esparza and her daughter was truly amazing. I feel honored that I could learn about their cultural practices and their work in making altars. Hearing the panelists talk about their religious practices and practices of remembrance was also interesting to me. I have been an atheist and anti-religion since a very young age. I have never felt or heard anything convincing that made me believe there is some form of an afterlife or higher being. Additionally, many religious denominations promote misogyny, homophobia, racism, pedophilia, and violence, and I refuse to associate with organizations that promote these practices. I know that belief in an afterlife can help people mourn losses as they may find comfort that the "soul" of their loved ones lives on. Regardless, I could not accept this one mental benefit of religion as a reason for enabling the biased and anti-progressive beliefs taught by many religions. 

However, as I mentioned, I enjoyed hearing the panelists discuss their religious beliefs. I still will not feel any spiritual energy when around an altar or church. I still do not believe in a higher being or afterlife. I do not believe that the dead can come back on Dia de Los Muertos. But, I realized that there are other benefits to religions that may make them of value for certain people. For example, building an ofrenda/altar can help families heal, strengthen family bonds, and encourage people to remain connected to their cultural history. Additionally, I reconciled what the Salish woman (I can't remember her name) discussed with what I have observed from the few pow-wows I have attended and discussions about spiritual beliefs with my indigenous friends. I realized that the strong cultural and spiritual practices within indigenous communities allow indigenous tribes to be some of the most interconnected and strongest communities I have seen. After listening to the panelists, I now feel that the world does not need to dismantle religion entirely, but instead reconstruct religious teachings to exemplify the positive practices of religion and denounce outdated and predacious principles.