An individual can use this time, but it's not that way. It's become an empty tradition amongst many (and I'd venture to say most) religious persons. There's much more to Lent than just giving up some trivial object.

I think I pretty much explained why and what 'sacrifice' during the season of Lent is supposed to be...that some don't 'get it' is true, but be careful not to generalize based on the 'religious persons' that you know. You don't sound like you have a great understanding of this to begin with, so I would assume that you are surrounded by like-minded people. That some simply go thru the motions should not be an indictment of "Lent" itself.
Nor, should it be a contrary judgement of those who you say are following "empty tradition".We are all at different places on our spiritual journey.

GOONx19;1588227 wrote:I gave up reading your posts.

Badum, tsss.

OSH;1588178 wrote:Sure it is. When all the talk is "I'm giving up facebook, pop, chips, beer, etc. etc. etc." the Lenten season is empty. It's not about "giving up" these trivial things in our lives.

As you mentioned in your previous post, it's about sacrifice AND enhancing your spiritual life. "Giving up" facebook for 40 days does nothing if you don't do the other side. Oh, not eating meat...empty. That comes from no Biblical context. But...I can eat fish on Fridays. Oh ain't that special.

HitsRus;1588218 wrote:^^^Well, the traditions are surely empty...for you.

Lessons of sacrifice of some earthly things we love serve to remind us of the sacrifce that Christ made for us on the cross. The sacrifices we make are small but constant reminders of the ultimate sacrifice made on Good Friday. We do these things this time of year, because it is a time of renewal of baptismal vows as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection and our redemption.
While these are Christian values, you don't have to be religious to appreciate that spring is a time of growth and renewal. Secular humanists can use the time as a reminder to improve their lives and focus on the common values of human dignity that we all share.

OSH;1588221 wrote:As I said, the sacrifice only means something if the individual were to "remind us of the sacrifice that Christ made for us." Giving up facebook and doing nothing else is not a sacrifice. Giving up potato chips and doing nothing else means nothing. This is what Lent has become.

An individual can use this time, but it's not that way. It's become an empty tradition amongst many (and I'd venture to say most) religious persons. There's much more to Lent than just giving up some trivial object.

Guys guys guys. Relax. You are believing in something that's complete bullshit anyways, no point in arguing over nothing.

I gave up mayonnaise.

Also, I fucking hate mayonnaise

I gave up mayonnaise.

Also, I fucking hate mayonnaise

Guys guys guys. Relax. You are believing in something that's complete bullshit anyways, no point in arguing over nothing.

For the same very reasons, I'm giving up posting on Cleveland Browns' threads.

HitsRus;1588242 wrote:I think I pretty much explained why and what 'sacrifice' during the season of Lent is supposed to be...that some don't 'get it' is true, but be careful not to generalize based on the 'religious persons' that you know. You don't sound like you have a great understanding of this to begin with, so I would assume that you are surrounded by like-minded people. That some simply go thru the motions should not be an indictment of "Lent" itself.
Nor, should it be a contrary judgement of those who you say are following "empty tradition".We are all at different places on our spiritual journey.

Oh? So, you know about me then?

I guess my Catholic family history doesn't give me understanding. I also guess my Bible/Theology degree doesn't help in understanding either.

I never generalized anything saying all religious persons are this way. But, it is an empty tradition to me. When the majority (and I firmly believe majority) of religious persons who subscribe to the Lenten season DO NOT do anything but "give up a trivial object" without anything else happening...it is an empty tradition. I witness it. I witnessed it. And I will continue to witness people doing the same.

I'm glad it's more than an empty tradition to you. Don't get me wrong. I think there are some good things about it. I just don't think most religious persons "get it" these days. I think part of my reasoning to the empty tradition thinking is the term "Lent" itself. It's a word that doesn't mean anything to the Biblical fasting.

Yes, I am "participating in Lent". I'm not Catholic, but my wife is. I'll fast on Friday's for her. We aren't "giving anything up", but trying to become closer to God during the season. Hopefully our lives will be richer after the season.

I'm not participating in Lent because religion is fucking stupid.

ernest_t_bass;1588003 wrote:I'm not doing this for religious reasons, rather to just give something up.

ts1227;1588456 wrote:I'm not participating in Lent because religion is fucking stupid.

Reading is hard.

OSH;1588426 wrote:Oh? So, you know about me then?

I guess my Catholic family history doesn't give me understanding. I also guess my Bible/Theology degree doesn't help in understanding either.

I never generalized anything saying all religious persons are this way. But, it is an empty tradition to me. When the majority (and I firmly believe majority) of religious persons who subscribe to the Lenten season DO NOT do anything but "give up a trivial object" without anything else happening...it is an empty tradition. I witness it. I witnessed it. And I will continue to witness people doing the same.

I'm glad it's more than an empty tradition to you. Don't get me wrong. I think there are some good things about it. I just don't think most religious persons "get it" these days. I think part of my reasoning to the empty tradition thinking is the term "Lent" itself. It's a word that doesn't mean anything to the Biblical fasting.

Edit: never mind

OSH;1588426 wrote:Oh? So, you know about me then?

I guess my Catholic family history doesn't give me understanding. I also guess my Bible/Theology degree doesn't help in understanding either.

I never generalized anything saying all religious persons are this way. But, it is an empty tradition to me. When the majority (and I firmly believe majority) of religious persons who subscribe to the Lenten season DO NOT do anything but "give up a trivial object" without anything else happening...it is an empty tradition. I witness it. I witnessed it. And I will continue to witness people doing the same.

I'm glad it's more than an empty tradition to you. Don't get me wrong. I think there are some good things about it. I just don't think most religious persons "get it" these days. I think part of my reasoning to the empty tradition thinking is the term "Lent" itself. It's a word that doesn't mean anything to the Biblical fasting.

Edit: never mind

ernest_t_bass;1588457 wrote:Reading is hard.

If you aren't doing it for religious reasons, then there's no point in doing it.

Though, I guess there isn't really a point in doing it anyway.

If you want to give something up, fine, but do it on your own terms. Using Lent to do it makes you look lazy and should be insulting to those practicing Catholicism.

I akin it to drinking on Cinco de Mayo. It's a pointless reason to drink for 99.999% of people. If you want to get plastered on May 5th, then do it.
Just don't falsely use Cinco de Mayo as a crutch to do it.

Oh? So, you know about me then?

I guess my Catholic family history doesn't give me understanding. I also guess my Bible/Theology degree doesn't help in understanding either.

This is what you said.

I do not do empty traditions.

If you are Catholic and you have knowledge and understanding then you know that Lent is a period of reconciliation, a turning away from sin in preparation of the renewal of baptismal commitment of Easter. This is a personal matter.... What other people do or don't do has no bearing on your personal reflection/self examination. I've explained how giving up something can serve as a reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, and in that case would not be 'empty'. If other people do "empty traditions", that has no bearing on your personal actions. If your post was directed at someone's post that you feel was "empty" then be more specific.

I despise Catholocsim, so no

HitsRus has done a good job of laying out the Lenten tenets. The small personal sacrifices made during lent are reminders of the greatest sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, and when these small sacrifices are made with serious self-introspection and prayer that bring one's daily life closer in line with the life and teaching of Christ, then you have real spiritual renewal. The small sacrifices can take many forms, for many it is simply denying themselves something they like that they otherwise might do or consume on a daily basis. In days past many would sacrifice certain more expensive food items and take the difference in cost and place that money in a 'rice bowl'. At the end of Lent the money collected in the bowl would be sent to the poor to buy rice or other food that they could not otherwise afford. Lenten practices have always had a component of conscience formation. And the special weekly rite of Stations of the Cross during Lent adds another dimension to the highly prayerful season.

Those who do not understand what Lent is truly about can obviously make flippant comments, but their ignorance shines through. Perhaps they should seek greater understanding; that always makes for a good Lent.

I retired from Catholicism at age 15, so no Lent for me.


I have a coworker, she's not giving up anything for Lent, but she did commit to go to the gym 4x a week. L-O-L

OSH;1588426 wrote: I also guess my Bible/Theology degree doesn't help in understanding either.

LOL

Interesting degree

I'd like to know the ROI on that. Sleeper....do you have those numbers? :laugh:

Lent isn't Catholic specific.

HitsRus;1588477 wrote:If you are Catholic and you have knowledge and understanding then you know that Lent is a period of reconciliation, a turning away from sin in preparation of the renewal of baptismal commitment of Easter. This is a personal matter.... What other people do or don't do has no bearing on your personal reflection/self examination. I've explained how giving up something can serve as a reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, and in that case would not be 'empty'. If other people do "empty traditions", that has no bearing on your personal actions. If your post was directed at someone's post that you feel was "empty" then be more specific.

I am not Catholic, so that has no bearing on my decision.

I know what Lent is. I know there are a lot of empty traditions in organized religion. I don't do empty traditions. There's no need for a "period of reconciliation" if we live our lives accordingly. We can always live our lives with the reminder of Christ's sacrifice, I don't need a specific 40 days to do that. Nor does anyone else.

Automatik;1588497 wrote:Interesting degree

I'd like to know the ROI on that. Sleeper....do you have those numbers? :laugh:

I enjoyed every minute of it. I also have two more degrees, so go ahead and do the ROI if you want. Sometimes there are careers where individuals aren't concerned with the ROI while in the career. Some people don't understand that though.

I don't understand your last two sentences, but I was just joshing.

Automatik;1588497 wrote:Interesting degree

I'd like to know the ROI on that. Sleeper....do you have those numbers? :laugh:

He's unemployed or a burger flipper. His comment above about not caring about ROI is sour milk; he's poor at best and a moron in reality.

Automatik;1588516 wrote:I don't understand your last two sentences, but I was just joshing.

No hard feelings. It is an interesting career path, I do/did understand that.

In terms of the last two sentences, people that enter ministry (or some other degree that is considered a low ROI) don't really care about the whole ROI thing anyway. They enter the career for other reasons.

QuakerOats;1588489 wrote:HitsRus has done a good job of laying out the Lenten tenets. The small personal sacrifices made during lent are reminders of the greatest sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, and when these small sacrifices are made with serious self-introspection and prayer that bring one's daily life closer in line with the life and teaching of Christ, then you have real spiritual renewal. The small sacrifices can take many forms, for many it is simply denying themselves something they like that they otherwise might do or consume on a daily basis. In days past many would sacrifice certain more expensive food items and take the difference in cost and place that money in a 'rice bowl'. At the end of Lent the money collected in the bowl would be sent to the poor to buy rice or other food that they could not otherwise afford. Lenten practices have always had a component of conscience formation. And the special weekly rite of Stations of the Cross during Lent adds another dimension to the highly prayerful season.

Those who do not understand what Lent is truly about can obviously make flippant comments, but their ignorance shines through. Perhaps they should seek greater understanding; that always makes for a good Lent.

Look..religion as a whole is dying. We all realize it. When your leaders of the church are raping little boys, then you are going to have people that call bullshit to your entire belief. I mean seriously, you can all go fuck yourself if you still believe in something that allows that. I bet if your father raped little boys, you would tell him to fuck off. It's disgusting.

As for "giving" something up for a couple months because it "brings you closer to god", it's not a hard thing to understand. We just think it's stupid. Do good for others, treat others with respect should be what you religious **** are doing. Not this bullshit.

DeyDurkie5;1588547 wrote:Look..religion as a whole is dying. We all realize it. When your leaders of the church are raping little boys, then you are going to have people that call bullshit to your entire belief. I mean seriously, you can all go fuck yourself if you still believe in something that allows that. I bet if your father raped little boys, you would tell him to fuck off. It's disgusting.

As for "giving" something up for a couple months because it "brings you closer to god", it's not a hard thing to understand. We just think it's stupid. Do good for others, treat others with respect should be what you religious **** are doing. Not this bullshit.

I agree religion is dying and internet(read: information) has greatly accelerate the destruction of ignorance. I went to a private Catholic school and still maintain friends from my time there; all of them are atheist/agnostic. If you ever find yourself in church, you will notice that the vast majority(95%+) are above the age of 50 and any person under that is likely only there because the people above 50 coerce them to come. It's about time we eliminate the archaic and ignorant beliefs of believers and shame them for the intellectual frauds that they are.