Growing up in a conservative Catholic family, I’ve naturally learned to treat Sunday mass as an obligation. But after seeing this video, I’ve realized there are better approaches to strengthening my relationship with God.

Poet Jefferson Bethke has some pretty strong points. Religion was the catalyst for war amongst countries. I, too, had a similar epiphany a year ago. After examining Hispanic cultures and history in grad school, I realized how religion has strongly shaped mankind. It’s because of Spanish conquistadores and their use of religion to overtake civilations – that my family instills conservative Catholic values (some of which are good) in the younger generations. It heavily influences the government and the social behavior of the people of Guam and Saipan.

It’s fascinating how religion molds people, an entire community and nation. Ahh the strength and perpetuation of the European giant, to this day, still affects us in the Pacific Ocean.