I took the easy way out a few days ago and I regret it. I was in New Orleans doing my radio show and visiting my family. On the show, somehow, we got on the topic of the Catholic Church. This is a very sensitive subject in my family.

When I was in my teens, after going to an evangelical church service, I came home and announced to my dad he was going to hell. My dad, a man who has never seen an R-rated movie, has never said a bad word in front of me and has never lied to me, was going to hell. (If my dad doesn't make it to heaven, none of us will.)

Since that day, religion has always been a controversial subject in the Fagan household.

Monday on my show, my co-host Sanjuanita and I were talking about how the Catholic Church deals with forgiveness. She asked me about the last time I had been to confession. I said I don't believe in going to confession. I believe God will hear you directly. A diploma from a seminary doesn't give you special access to God, I said. God will listen to anyone, anytime, who is sincere.

As a devout Catholic, this didn't sit well with my dad. He became so angry, he threatened to make sure that when I die, he'd see to it I don't get a Catholic burial. It's an ambitious threat. I know I am not the picture of health, but my dad turns 77 tomorrow.

His threat angered me, but because of our history on the subject, I just listened.

But later on my anger built up to the point I got up in the middle of the night, caught a cab to the airport and flew home without saying goodbye. When my father woke up the next morning his heart must have been broken.

Even with his shattered heart, knowing my dad the way I do, I know he still said his daily morning prayers and I was at the top of his prayer list.

My father loves me and wants what's best for me. Being so adamant about the Catholic Church is an act of love toward me. He believes I would be better off as a strong Catholic instead of a former one.

I have a Mormon friend who also is very devout. He's invited me to church a half dozen times. I've refused every time.

How uncomfortable it must be for my friend to invite me over and over. But he does it because he loves me.

I think it is a beautiful thing when people share their faith. What good is faith in God if it hasn't made a difference in your life? We tell those we love about good movies, restaurants and vacation spots. Why not our faith?

My close friend, ChangePoint pastor Karl Clauson, often shares his faith with me. He'll call me at least once a week offering to pray for me. It might be more comfortable for Karl to talk about the last time we golfed. But his faith has enriched his life so much, he can't help talk about it, whether I want to hear about it or not.

What love! What unselfishness!

Some like to marginalize people of faith. They say people of faith are weak and need a crutch. Nothing could be further from the truth.

It takes courage to believe in something bigger than yourself.

You have to have the strength to put aside your pride.

Pride often gets in my way of seeking God's wisdom, guidance and direction. My stubbornness doesn't help much either.

When my father was angry last week, instead of letting my pride get the best of me and doing the easy thing and leaving, I should have humbled myself, taken a moment and thought about what God wanted me to do. I know I would have quickly realized my dad was just acting in love toward me.

Well, Dad, I love you too.

Dan Fagan is a talk show host on KFQD 750-AM. His e-mail is dan@kfqd.com.

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