03-02-2006, 01:47 PM | #41 (permalink) | |
Insane
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You don't have to be a catholic to appreciate lent. I'm Church of England, which is Christian and we celebrate lent. I haven't given up anything for lent, or ever have (but i'm not a religious man in general) but after reading Charlatan's intro regarding appreciating those things that you may take for granted, I'm touched and will definately give up one of those things next year. (Too late now of course, or maybe I have no will power right now). My best friend is giving up alcohol and, believe me, he is a big drinker - but also knows the true meaning of lent.
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03-02-2006, 04:24 PM | #44 (permalink) |
Twitterpated
Location: My own little world (also Canada)
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Absolutely nothing.
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03-02-2006, 05:11 PM | #45 (permalink) | |
...is a comical chap
Location: Where morons reign supreme
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As for me, I've never given anything up for Lent. I can see the benefit even though I'm not religious, but I'm not giving anything up this year. Perhaps next year.
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03-02-2006, 06:44 PM | #46 (permalink) | |
Getting it.
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Location: Lion City
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The Church of England actually is a catholic church (just not Roman Catholic).
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03-02-2006, 06:52 PM | #47 (permalink) |
Crazy
Location: Louisiana
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Being Orthodox the Great Lent Fast has more strict rules: all meats, including fish, eggs, dairy, oil, and wine, with a few exceptions (example: http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/calendar.asp?Y=2006&M=3) That's plenty for me, thank you very much
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03-02-2006, 06:56 PM | #48 (permalink) | |
I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot!
Location: Upper Michigan
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As for what I'm giving up. I haven't ever considered giving things up in favor of this time. I understand some of the ideas behind doing it but I have had so much religion stuff down my throat that I choke on the idea of doing another religious rite or tradition. It all seems so hollow and so many religious people do it like sheep that it's abhorrrant to follow the flock of them.
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03-02-2006, 11:51 PM | #49 (permalink) |
Twitterpated
Location: My own little world (also Canada)
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raeanna is most likely correct on the "offshoots" issue.
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"Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." - Albert Einstein "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato |
03-03-2006, 03:38 AM | #50 (permalink) |
Groovy Hipster Nerd
Location: Michigan
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I gave up: Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine, Soft drinks, Alcohol, talking about people behind their backs (which always made me uncomfortable to do in the first place) and not having so many negative thoughts.
The last two days were rather difficult, but I have slept better at night, but have less energy half way through the day while at work. I may give up all of these things for more than 40 days because do we really need any of it? |
03-03-2006, 03:44 AM | #51 (permalink) | ||||
Human
Administrator
Location: Chicago
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Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 03-03-2006 at 03:47 AM.. |
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03-03-2006, 05:58 AM | #52 (permalink) |
Getting it.
Super Moderator
Location: Lion City
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What I was getting at was that the Catholic Church, while Protestantism makes a different practice of Christianity, broke away from the Catholic tradition in the 16th century.
I was not accounting for Oriental Orthodoxy or Nestorians as I didn't think to take them into account.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke |
03-03-2006, 06:08 AM | #53 (permalink) | |
Getting it.
Super Moderator
Location: Lion City
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I don't think we do enough longer term type reflections in our increasingly secualrized lives (heck, even those who claim to be religious could use more reflection). I was chatting with a muslim friend about Ramadan and the fasting they do and it occured to me that Lent is a similar tradition (much overlooked). When he spoke of what Ramadan meant to him I began to wonder if there wasn't some way to introduce this (longer term) time of reflection to everyone. Call it suffering if you like but I like to see it as doing without something that you take for granted (TV, coffee, chocolate, etc.). It is my thought that everytime you go to reach for it, and if you are willful enough to resist it, you will take that moment to reflect. Enough little moments and it adds up to a greater realization of the place of material posessions in your life. It made sense to me when I thought it up. This is about a "spiritual" as I get folks.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke |
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03-06-2006, 05:41 AM | #54 (permalink) |
You had me at hello
Location: DC/Coastal VA
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I'm starting late. I realized that at this time, I do need to be very clear headed and un-muddled in any thought process that goes on. So I am giving up alcohol, except for wine on Sundays, I’m giving up sitting on my butt to pass the time, I ‘m adding walking trips to Old Town once a week, and I’m giving up snacks except for fruit or vegetable, and I will try to see if I can fit yoga into my schedule, which is something I’ve wanted to do for some time now.
I thought about giving up caffeine, but I don’t really use it that much to begin with.
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I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet |
03-06-2006, 07:18 AM | #55 (permalink) |
<3 TFP
Location: 17TLH2445607250
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I'm giving up giving things up for lent. To bring my own burden to this thread, I also forsake the act of giving something up because it could be gone tomorrow. If God Himself has granted mankind the joys we receieve on a daily basis, then denying them when you could literally lose them the very next day almost seems sacreligious. I'm being a bit of a devil's advocate here since I am not Catholic (or even Christian anymore, truly).
I suggest instead of denying yourself something for 40 days a year to remember to be thankful, that you'd get more from being thankful daily for things like: a) Not being deployed in Iraq (if you're a soldier) b) Not being "that poor person" on the news each night c) Not losing you child(ren), if you have any, on a daily basis. Life isn't about giving things up, it's about having the things and people around you that fulfill you and help you get through every day being a good person. *shrug* < /soapbox > |
03-06-2006, 07:49 AM | #57 (permalink) | |
You had me at hello
Location: DC/Coastal VA
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Another reason for participating in lent is that a person doesn’t really know how that poor guy on the news feels unless that person has suffered. The Buddhist and early Christian practice of fasting is a way to encumber empathy for those who are suffering, and hopefully be able to understand the best way to help them.
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I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet |
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giving, lent |
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