Interviews on April 11, 2022, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, California with Noemi in front of Bailey Library and with Tais outside the Campus Center, both of whom are studying nursing.

NOEMI

Do you consider yourself religious?

Noemi: Yes? I don’t know. When I was younger we used to go to church a lot and then we grew up and my mom and I started getting busy so we stopped going. We went to St. Mary’s and my brother and I went to classes there where they taught us about God.

Do you still believe in God?

Noemi: Yeah, I believe in God. 

If someone asked you why you believe in God, what would you say?

Noemi: Because my family taught me that He’s there and He’s always going to be there for me. He’s always watching. So because of my family.

Do you believe in an afterlife?

Noemi: Yes, I do think there’s a heaven and there’s a hell. I believe in reincarnation, as well. I don’t believe that we go straight into darkness and that’s all we see. 

Some people think abortion is fine because everyone has free will and others say it’s wrong because it ends the life of a human being – what do you think about abortion?

Noemi: I’m okay with abortion, but I respect other people’s opinion on it. 

TAIS

Do you consider yourself religious?

Tais: No. I was raised Catholic. Then my perspective of life changed and obstacles came in my way and I lost faith in God. 

Do you believe in God at all?

Tais: No, not at this point.

Do you believe in an afterlife?

Tais: No, not at all.

Are you trying to separate yourself from religion?

Tais: Right now I don’t want to consider any religion. I just want to know myself more and, since I’m young, I think I need to be open-minded about the actual world. The obstacles that I face now will get better with time, so I want to take the time to fall and get up without saying that God is doing it. I know that it’s my efforts and my time; it’s for my fulfillment. I just want to live life and know that as a strong person I can do without God right now. 

What about the Catholic Church is now off-putting to you?

Tais: In my Catholic church, they always involve God. They always say, “God is doing this for your own good.” I feel like maybe what they say is not true, and I believe that – I don’t want to sound biased – the only person who’s going to take you forward is yourself. You as an individual are going through it. Whether God is helping you or not, it’s your choice. You have to put yourself out there and fulfill your dreams, whether you’re mentally unstable or physically unstable. We’re here for a reason: to go through life. Life is really tough, so it’s in you. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to go forward in life. It’s like the power of the people. You yourself have to want to push yourself forward for anything. I don’t think there’s a God who is pushing you. 

What does your family think about you not believing in God?

Tais: I’m the oldest, so they don’t pressure me to be Catholic, they just understand that right now I’m figuring out myself and figuring out how life works. They’re seeing how I’m putting myself out there and they’re not really strict about me not being Catholic or me not going to church every Sunday. They respect that it’s my choice. But if I ever find a religion I find interesting, they’re really open about what religion I might pick up and choose.