Interview on March 7, 2022, with Alberto, who is studying computer science, in L Quad at De Anza College in Cupertino, California.
Do you consider yourself religious?
Alberto: Yes, I do. My parents are super religious. I’m Catholic. I carry around my gold chain. It’s very weird since in this modern age, you see so many things about how God isn’t real, how there isn’t religion, how the world is made. I’m watching a show called the Big Bang Theory, so it’s contradicting my whole religion, but I just see it as the Bible is a good thing, you should follow it. Even if it’s fake, it’s still amazing to just follow it. I don’t have religion much in my life, but I always think about how it’s a good thing.
How is religion a good thing?
Alberto: I would think back to the Ten Commandments. I am so far gone in my religion that I don’t even remember most of them, but the key ones like treat everybody like your neighbor, or have respect for your parents, I believe heavily in all that stuff. Of course some things are outdated, but I guess you can say: if everybody did what Jesus would do, a lot of the world would be greater.
Do you think there is any evidence for the existence of God?
Alberto: You hear all these stories like, “oh, there’s a footprint of a troll, of a giant,” how there were giants back in the day, how “this is where Jesus was crucified.” To be quite honest with you, I believe there’s no proof at all and it’s all just misinformation.
Do you think the people who disobey the Ten Commandments or who are unkind to people are doing wrong? Are they committing sins?
Alberto: No. I heard a podcast long ago that says no one goes to hell, that’s just a lie, but that everybody’s destined to go to heaven. I believe everybody has their right to do whatever they like. I just also believe that if you put your own morals on yourself and you believe you’re doing what’s right, that’s all that matters. It’s not someone’s to blame. Just do what you gotta do.
You mentioned at the beginning that wearing your chain is part of why you consider yourself religious. Why do you wear the chain?
Alberto: The reason I wear my chain would have to be my mother. My mother is super religious and she gave me this chain and ever since I was young I had it on. The second reason is that I like the idea that I’m following my religion. I like the idea that I still think about my religion. I like the idea that I don’t forget what I should be doing, what the Bible tells me to do. I don’t read the Bible that much, but it’s good knowing that I have this constant idea around my neck about my religion.
If someone asked you about your crucifix, asked what it is on the cross around your neck, what would you say?
Alberto: I would say a religious idea that someone died for our sins.
What if they asked what it means to say that someone died for our sins? And didn’t you say that there are no sins?
Alberto: Oh yeah, I did. I would say it captures what some people believe happened a long time ago where some Man who came from God went on the cross and died for all of us. Of course I would have to say only some people believe that, which I believe in.
When you say that you believe it, does that mean that you think it is true?
Alberto: Yes. I’ve been stuck on that question for years, but I would have to say yes.
So if someone says, “I don’t believe Jesus ever lived, I don’t think there is a God,” are they wrong?
Alberto: No. My best friend was atheist.
But if it’s true that Jesus lived, they would have to be wrong.
Alberto: Yeah. But what does it matter to me?
You said that you believe everyone goes to heaven. What is heaven?
Alberto: I would say heaven is a place where you understand everything, where you have no questions. Every question is answered and you are completely in bliss, whether that be you being with your family, whether that be all your cravings. Of course it would be white. I don’t know what white symbolizes.
Do you think we have bodies there?
Alberto: Heaven for me would be with my mom, so I would like to think that when I go to heaven, I would see my mom as I see her now, which would be in a human body.
Where do you think the Bible came from?
Alberto: I haven’t done any research about it. I would have to think someone made it up. Someone just kept on writing for profit, for religious people to have profit, or them actually trying to spread word about doing good, but it was nothing like: God sent down a Bible. It was somebody here. I would want to say they were influenced by Jesus.
This is a fella in a STEM program who says truth is what ever you or I want it to be. Computer Science.
Welp, don’t want to be aboard an airplane this fella has designed the hw or sw. This is our future.
I wonder what would happen if I told him that I don’t believe in the Laws of Thermodynamics. At least, they arent true for me. Does my lack of believe in the Laws of Thermodynamics make them untrue?
The Bible is a collection of ancient writings believed to be inspired by God. The Old Testament are the ancient Hebrew sacred writings. They were written at different times by different people between 1200-165 BC. The New Testament completed in the first century AD) is a collection of accounts of the life of Christ and letters from his followers. They too are believed to be inspired by God.
Say what ???
Well at least he is thinking about it and working his way through. Pray for him. His mother probably had that crucifix blessed, and he just may get to heaven yet. At least he is not throwing it away. That would be a bad sign.
He should have been asked if he went through Confirmation classes. Since his mom is super-Catholic, I bet she made him get Confirmed.
Hey, bishops, look at what lousy catechesis is being offered at parishes. This kid knows nothing about Catholicism. You bishops are confirming these kids in faith yet they don’t have Catholic faith, and almost immediately after being confirmed they stop pretending to practice the faith.
Let’s stop the charade. Stop the farce. There’s a two-year mandatory program of Confirmation catechesis in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. This is what you get for that? Close up the shop.
I went to a California community college. I’m not surprised by the answers these students give. Disappointed, but not surprised.
This article highlights the complexities of our faith. We believe, well, because. We were taught what to believe and we did, some still do. But … There are some big buts that modern kids have to work through. The more they are exposed to learning, the more they know about other cultural creation stories or religious creation stories. We believe ours, but other people believe theirs. Now, pile on the scientific data, and confusion reigns again. Pour on major scandals in church leadership, Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, etc. and more confusion explodes. It is not easy to believe the Catholic faith, especially when you are exposed to so many other faiths or none. Is there a God? Who knows? Only the dead, maybe? Faith is believing a story and living it. There are a lot of faiths in which one can believe and live it. We believe our faith is true, but so do others. Confusion!
What are they learning in Confirmation catechesis? In Catholic schools? Apparently nothing.
Bob One we believe our Faith is True, and it is because it was guaranteed by the 2nd person of the Holy Trinity, the Eternal Logos, Christ the King. All others are false…. there is No Confusion
Yes, we believe our faith is true because we believe in the second person, Christ. The problem is that millions upon millions don’t believe in a triune God, so they think our beliefs aren’t true. Try to explain the Trinity. Most priests won’t even try. Try to explain that our God descends to the altar and turns bread and wine into His body and blood. Try to explain that good people don’t go to heaven right away – purgatory. Catholic faith is not easy to believe.
Bob One if 12 men from the Roman of province of Palestine were able to convert the Roman Empire how hard can it be? Or when the real Jesuits converted most of Central and South America…
I can tell by your gold chain that you’re very Catholic, a devout Catholic. And, as our devout president said, “The next Republican that tells me I’m not religious I’m going to shove my rosary beads down their throat. … I am so sick and tired of this pontificating about us not being the party of faith,” said Holy Joe. I would recommend using a rosary like he says. It’s cheaper than a gold chain. And, you may need to pawn that gold chain to pay for gas to get to class.
Aristotle: “Can we at least agree on the principle of non-contradiction?”
Alberto: “NO !!!”
Aristotle: “I’m outta here !”