College Essay 50. Tell us about yourself. (University of California)

                  I was born in a Catholic family. I would go to Catholic Church Sunday. Even though I did not enjoy it, I thought if I was a Christian, I have to go to church, so I always followed my mother to church. Even my kindergarten was made by Catholic organization, so many people were Catholic. I thought everyone was Catholic, but when I went to elementary school, I got to know that there were very few people who are Catholic. Almost everyone was Buddhist and I got to know that in Japan, there are very few numbers of Catholics.

             It was awkward going to school with kids who do not believe in Jesus. Till I joined elementary school, my friends were all Catholic. I was afraid that people might not accept me for who I am, so I never told people that I’m Catholic. One day, my friends came over to my house to sleepover. The next day was Sunday, so I had to go to Church. My friends asked me where I was going, so I told them that I was going to Church. I cursed myself for telling that to my friends. I thought they would never talk to me again since I am a Catholic. Surprisingly, they said that they would go to Church with me. I was so relieved that I almost broke into tears.

             When we were in the Church all my friends were sleeping. Even I felt sleepy, but I forced myself not to since that is showing disrespect to God. I learnt that nothing is wrong with being a Catholic.

             Then I came to Woodstock School. In the beginning I did not know that there were two kinds of Christianity: Catholic and Protestant. Almost everyone was Protestant that I did not know the difference, so I said even I was Protestant. I got to know that I was different when I brought Rosario bracelet up to school. People asked me if I was Buddhist since they have similar things in Buddhism. I was surprised that people did not have one. I explained to people what it was and they finally said, “Oh! You are a Catholic?” That day I got to know that I was one of the only Catholic in the school and everyone who was Christian were all Protestants. I hated to be different from others, so I told myself that I would never tell people that I am a Catholic again.

             As I grew up, I learnt more about the God and about how there were Protestants and Catholics. For some time, I thought the Catholics were the bad Christian and the Protestants were the good Christian. Then I realized that not all Catholics are like that. It is common for people to rebel when there are people who misuse their power. I believe the people had the right to be angry at the people who used people by telling people that it is written in the Bible. That is what we call blasphemy not what Jesus did. Jesus told the truth, but these people did not. So many Protestants thought the Catholics were the bad people.

             I always hated people who thought everything was the Catholics’ fault. Just because some people misused the name of God, people thought if you are not a Protestant, then you are not loyal to God. I could understand how the Protestants feel, but I have seen many Protestants who were misleading people using the name of God. I also saw many Catholics who were had lots of faith in God. So I decided not to hide the fact that I’m a Catholic.

             Even right now in school, when people get to know that I am a Catholic, they kind of sound disappointed. I always tell people that both Protestants and Catholics believe in the same thing and there is no difference. I do not care if people hate me for who I am; I will always be a Catholic and follow the word of God not the word of the people.

Word Count: 678