Writing in the Catholic Herald, Cardinal Wilfred Napier stated: "I am never at ease where people are busy fitting everyone into one or other pigeonhole, camp or category in order to predetermine what they are going to say even before the debate starts."

"The more controversial the question, the more rigidly they want to confine you to your box.

"In my experience, no human being can possibly be fitted fully into the ‘conservative' or ‘liberal' box.

"Therefore, it is not only unfair but also untruthful to label people in this way."

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The irony was lost on my friend.

The only funny thing he'd picked up on was that I could believe in God.

I get it. As a leftie, organic pasta, and free-the-gay-whale type, people tend to think I'm atheist.

At a stretch, I'm middle class enough to be a casual Buddhist who found enlightenment in Les Mills' Yoga room.

But in general, I get given the atheist sticker.

In reality, I like going to churches to sit in stained glass sunlit silence.

I have been christened, confirmed, and can recite the liturgy from page one to page eight of the service guide.

I grew up in a Christian house.

Well. What I mean is that my Mum's endless capacity to help others, combined with a firm belief in God, meant she was a significant figure in the local church.

And my Dad knew better than to stand in her way.

So my brother and I went to Sunday school and church weekly, until we were old enough to ask awkward questions. Continue reading.

Verity Johnson is a writer passionate about giving young people a voice. Educated in England and New Zealand, her work has been published in The New Zealand Herald, The Otago Daily Times, and Mizz magazine.

Source: TheWireless

Image: Verity Johnson