<p>^^^</p>
<p>And isn’t that part of the point of giving up something that we think is “so important” or a “have to have”? After a few weeks we see that the item or action shouldn’t have such an importance in our life.</p>
<p>Hey, rather than being a non-Catholic giving up something frivolous “for Lent,” if you are really serious about observing the rites and sacrifices associated with a religion other than your own, I suggest you fast during all the daylight hours for the entire month of Ramadan.</p>
<p>Lent isn’t observed only by Catholics. Episcopalians observe it as well.</p>
<p>Growing up Catholic, I have heard all the to do for Lent. I’ll give up alcohol (and I’ll lose 10 pounds), I’ll take up working in the soup kitchen (and get points for my community service), but the thing that always seems to me to make the most sense is to give up something that I find comfortable and secure that moves me closer to God, or my fellow man, etc. </p>
<p>This year I am giving up letting racist, sexiest, just plain nasty remarks go – I am working hard to find a way to stand up for the things I believe in. It is hard enough on the internet, but just imagine what I will do when my boss starts in on his regular round of racist jokes. I have to find a way to be true to my understanding that Christ wants us to stand up for the poor, the weak, the down-trodden, and not completely alienate my fellow beings. Please forgive if in the next few weeks I stumble.</p>
<p>Lent is a season of the liturgical calendar observed by Christians, both Catholic and Protestant.</p>
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<p>…Yes…That’s the ticket!</p>
<p>^Amen!</p>
<p>I never thought when I posed this question that I would have gotten so much hostility in response. Now I know why I am not a big fan of organized religion. I believe all religions have more in common than they have differences, and I believe (perhaps naively) that if we emphasized the commonality between religions we would all gain understanding and tolerance of other faiths. Many faiths have naming ceremonies, or coming of age ceremonies. I think it’s interesting to learn about the customs and traditions of other religions. Again I apologize for unintentionally offending MOWC, but perhaps this thread could have taken a more positive tone if her response had been: I know why you think Lent is about giving things up, but let me explain its importance in my faith and why that is not really a part of this special time. I would still welcome that kind of discussion. I was not and never will make fun of someone’s faith.</p>
<p>Yes, I have fasted for Ramadan. Yes, when I was a practicing Episcopalian, I treated Lent as a very serious time full of reflection and religious observation (which included, as a child, giving things up – that’s what our church said we should do. Sorry if they were wrong about that part). Perhaps this thread was a way for me to fondly remember that time.</p>
<p>Charlie Brown said it right. Never discuss three things: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.</p>
<p>Quote:</p>
<h2>I give up religion.</h2>
<h1>…Yes…That’s the ticket!</h1>
<p>The above are the snide remarks that are insulting. When someone starts a thread that deals with a religious obsevance, and people post things like the above, it’s a slap in the face. Soon we’ll have threads dealing with Easter meal plans and Passover plans, and I surely hope people don’t post snide, rude remarks in those threads.</p>
<p>It IS interesting to learn about the customs of other religions, and I think it is wonderful if someone wants to experience a Lenten sacrifice and period of reflection. I wasn’t particularly offended- I’m used to this stuff during Lent. I just have to state my piece! 
I just think people need to remember that it isn’t just another shot at the failed New Year’s resolution. We can do that anytime! </p>
<p>Part of the problem is with the early teachings where the emphasis (even in the Episcopal church) was on the simple act of giving something up without any real focus on the “why”. Little kids have these mite boxes where they put part of their allowance and donate it. We all had attempts at giving up chocolate, caffeine etc. There just needs to be a little bit of a shift. As far as organized religion being the Big Evil, Episopalians are probably the most tolerant (well, except for the whole gay Bishop stuff) and least pushy of all sects. We don’t even like to sit in the front pews, and whereever there are two or more gathered, there is a Fifth!</p>
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<p>This much is true of every church of every denomination that I’ve ever visited.</p>
<p>Front pews are usually empty in the churches I’ve been to as well…except the parish that uses the front pews for those in wheelchairs.</p>
<p>We got into the habit of sitting in the front pews when the kids were young. The threat was that if they misbehaved, Father could see everything they were doing and it actually worked, LOL. Now I like sitting up front because it’s nice and roomy and latecomers are much less likely to be crawling over me.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I too have been giving up wine for lent for the past few years. It’s nice to do extra community service and be more prayerful too, but I find the (slight) sacrifice to be meaningful as a reminder to be grateful for the incredible abundance most of us enjoy, and to be grateful for the much greater sacrifice at the heart of the season.</p>
<p>Doing extra service or observance at Lent is itself a form of giving up…giving up of one’s free time and/or of one’s other activities.</p>