Directly from Soviet Canuckistan, LOL! (Get a grip, Mr. Buchanan, and stop blaming Canada for every thing that happens in your country!) here are my Friday Five:

1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith? I was raised in a Catholic family with two very devoted parents, so it kind of stuck with me. However, during my early adult years I started question much of what I learn, not because I thought it was wrong, but because I wanted to learn about other religions. I remain a Catholic with a very open mind and I believe everyone has the right to choose a path to God and I don’t like that “Only –insert denomination– will be saved” crap.

2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not? I practice most of it, but I have to admit that I could do better. I don’t go to church, except for a couple of times a year. However my faith is all based on what I learned from being raised as a Catholic and having studied in a Catholic school all my life and even though I’m open minded, when someone wants to shovel their faith into my life style I set up limits because I feel comfortable believing in God Father, God Son, the Holy Ghost and the Holy Virgin.

3. What do you think happens after death? Have you seen the movie “Contact”? I believe something like that. We move into another dimension, more spiritual, where we can be with our loved ones in a more peaceful environment. Call it heaven… But I do think it takes more dimensions to actually reach the place where God is, if ever!. If interested, contact me and I’ll explain my theory.

4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)? I like the rituals of the Holy Week because they hold a very significant part of what Catholics believe. Although, the Good Friday is totally depressing, so I prefer to think about the Resurrection Sunday better. And of course, I love Christmas time when we prepare to commemorate Jesus being born. However, I don’t think rituals make faith. I’ve seen people in church totally into other things…

5. Do you believe people are basically good? There are many good people in the world, but there are also very bad people. Basically good? Maybe. Jean-Jacques Rousseau said that “Man is intrisically good, but that goodness is beaten out of him by society”. I agree.