父母教 须敬听 亲憎我 孝方贤

i went to City Harvest on Easter. not exactly to check it out for myself what's the fuss (and anti-fuss) but more for non-religious reasons.

and i have a confession to make: i was enlightened.

before you go gaga or smlj, it helps to know it wasnt about Christianity, or about myself and faith. something specific, in fact. about life and a more pragmatic enlightenment.

you see, ive always subscribed to the philosophy that religion is for the lost. that when reality fails to compensate what we need emotionally, it is inadvertent that an irrational solution is sought. im not judging religion here, just stating its role as a counsellor, a healer, a teacher, or in more blunt terms, the secret friend whom you dont give a damn about but is always there when you need it. which is why religions, more prevalent in christianity, always have stories and anecdotes of people finding God through so-called miracles. which is also why the entity of an Almighty leaves the biggest impression on a person under the heaviest stress.

so coming full circle, i saw something about my situation. im not arguing i dont ever get lost or need strength to go on or make a decision. but ive never been thrown into a situation so dire that everything around me was hopeless.

and for that, while thinking at the megachurch's mega Easter production, i could only credit one party in my life for this. or rather, two. and they're not supernatural.

thanks mummy and papa. my upbringing was quite strict and might not have the material luxuries many kids have, but ive never had to worry about food on the table, clothes for warmth and a shelter over my head. a cohesive, hardworking middle-class family. they might be Buddhists and religion might have guided them thus far, but their grit, gumption and morals make them my God, and my siblings'.

so maybe after all, the Heavenly Father in Christianity is indeed our own fathers (parents).

and maybe Confucius was right. worship your parents, over worshipping an entity, an idol or an altar.