What are you giving up or doing for Lent?

Charger · 02-10-2005, 02:10 PM

I've seen some other Catholics on this board, so I was wondering what you're giving up or doing for Lent.

I'm giving up alcohol on weekends (only a little wine during the week) and reading the Bible for at least 15 minutes a day. 15 minutes doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a start.

ODB · 02-10-2005, 02:15 PM

squats!

just kidding, I don't do squat anyway.

FishrCutB8 · 02-10-2005, 02:23 PM

C

Where are you starting???

ninja · 02-10-2005, 02:24 PM

I'm giving up our president and Karl Rove. No looking at or listening to them for 40 days.

Rev · 02-10-2005, 02:32 PM

religion

Mike's Girl · 02-10-2005, 03:11 PM

I gave up music and HOT CHOCOLATE for lent. This is soo much harder then what it seems. I MISS MY HOT CHOCOLATE... music eh i love my music but its kinda nice now to drive with nothing blairing in my ear.

Matthew · 02-10-2005, 03:23 PM

Nothing. [img]smile.gif[/img]

FishrCutB8 · 02-10-2005, 03:34 PM

I went to the Ash Wednesday service last night at my church and the Pastor made an interesting point (actually, many). One of the things he said was that Lent is not a time, necessarily, to give up something we love, in an attempt to deprive ourselves and get right with God. It is a time to give up something which keeps us from a right relationship with God, i.e. sin.

So his question was not, "What will you give up this Lent?" But rather, "What sin will you give up for Lent? What thing that keeps your relationship with God from being a healthy one will you give up?"

ODB · 02-10-2005, 03:36 PM

quit reading "the thread"!

Charger · 02-10-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

C

Where are you starting???

I'm starting from not reading the Bible on a regular basis. Now I'll be reading at least 15 minutes a day. I'll be doing it in the morning, so the idea is I'll have it my mind through out the day and it will help me make the right decisions.

FishrCutB8 · 02-10-2005, 04:16 PM

I was asking more about testament (old or new) or even a specific book. I was thinking with Easter coming, you might want to start with one of tyhe Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)...

Charger · 02-10-2005, 05:08 PM

Fish,
I'll mostly be reading the Gospels and the letters from Peter and Paul. I'm also reading "Catholic and Christian" by Alan Schrek, so sometimes I'll be choosing passages related to what I'm reading in that.

FishrCutB8 · 02-10-2005, 05:16 PM

Sounds like a good deal....I think I will join you in that 15 minutes a day....thanks, C.

Phaedrus49er · 02-10-2005, 05:26 PM

I'm giving up my thinly-veiled tolerance of all that is stupid. It might be a permanent move [img]smile.gif[/img]

JavaJunkie · 02-10-2005, 07:11 PM

nothing. i always forget what it was i was giving up, or feel bad about cheating. i'm a creature of habit- i'm not good with screwing up even the smallest things. i'm a crappy catholic, i know but i'm ok with that.

V=IxR · 02-11-2005, 11:42 AM

I'm finally giving up on my Ex. we've come so far... what a waste of time... I love her... I hate her...Fuck it...

Philo_Beto · 02-11-2005, 11:48 AM

i'm giving up going to church

Tin Man · 02-14-2005, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JavaJunkie:
nothing. i'm a crappy catholic, i know but i'm ok with that.

I'm with you on that one Java...I think the last Catholic service I went to was when my Aunt died over 2 years ago. ...what will I give up? Fore-play..that keeps me from god...well at least for a little while?

FishrCutB8 · 02-14-2005, 10:38 AM

You know, C gave us an interesting topic, one that could be discussed with some thought, intelligence and even respect. I'm a little more than just a little disappointed with the inane and juvenile responses....maybe it's just me.

Phaedrus49er · 02-14-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FishrCutB8:
You know, C gave us an interesting topic, one that could be discussed with some thought, intelligence and even respect. I'm a little more than just a little disappointed with the inane and juvenile responses....maybe it's just me.

Interest is relative. I take a satirical approach considering that Lent is a religious practice, and I find organized religion a great source of humor. I know others hold strong religious convictions. Good for them. Not to imply this about your comments, but taking offense over something reveals insecurities over that subject--in this case, religion [img]smile.gif[/img]

*exit, stage left*

FishrCutB8 · 02-14-2005, 10:59 AM

I'm not offended. I'm disappointed.

Phaedrus49er · 02-14-2005, 11:00 AM

Disappointed in what? The responses? What do you expect on an issue such as this?

Charger · 02-14-2005, 11:18 AM

I would imagine that he's disappointed in the lack of respect some people have shown. When something is brought up in jest you can reply in turn, but when it's obviously not why take it down that road?

But it is just a forum, so it's not too big of a deal.

FishrCutB8 · 02-14-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phaedrus49er:
Disappointed in what? The responses?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally posted by Phaedrus49er:
What do you expect on an issue such as this?

Why are we here? What is ourt purpose in life? Is therre a God? What happens to us after we die? How does my relationship with God affect my daily behavior? Is this even important?

I think they are the most important questions facing us every day (Discussions of Brad and Jennifer/Angelina notwithsatnding). People throw out flip answers and generally inane comments in an effort to.....what? Raise an eyebrow? Get a laugh? Make people angry?

In general, I expect more thought from JP's place than most places on the Net. Most of the time people actually consider their answers here. But it does disappoint me that, in this instance, people give more thought to Smith Machine vs. Squat Cage discussions than to the importance of Chritainity's Holy season and the meaning God holds in their lives.

Phaedrus49er · 02-14-2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FishrCutB8:

quote:
Originally posted by Phaedrus49er:
What do you expect on an issue such as this?

Why are we here? What is ourt purpose in life? Is therre a God? What happens to us after we die? How does my relationship with God affect my daily behavior? Is this even important?

I think they are the most important questions facing us every day (Discussions of Brad and Jennifer/Angelina notwithsatnding). People throw out flip answers and generally inane comments in an effort to.....what? Raise an eyebrow? Get a laugh? Make people angry?

In general, I expect more thought from JP's place than most places on the Net. Most of the time people actually consider their answers here. But it does disappoint me that, in this instance, people give more thought to Smith Machine vs. Squat Cage discussions than to the importance of Chritainity's Holy season and the meaning God holds in their lives. [/quote]Some people just don't care. I beg to differ on the "most important" tag on those questions, and we may just agree to disagree, but many people live day-to-day without regard for divine purpose or the afterlife, if there is one. It's just not that important to some people, and to insinuate that those who have little or no regard for Christianity are lesser people says a lot about the Christian faith itself. This is a fitness forum first, so why is it so surprising that an equipment debate gets more attention than a topic that is unrelated to this forum's primary purpose.

Granted, the Off-Topic board does provide a place for issues other than fitness. However, we do have a diverse group of characters here, so you have to expect that religion will take its lumps just like everything else. We're not all Christians here. Some of us are not religious at all, but no one is getting upset over the lack of agnostic or atheistic influence on topics. Why should the evangelists act any differently?

FishrCutB8 · 02-14-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Some people just don't care. I beg to differ on the "most important" tag on those questions, and we may just agree to disagree, but many people live day-to-day without regard for divine purpose or the afterlife, if there is one.

If people don't care, then they don't care. But, snide, inane remarks are something else. Disdain is not the same as not caring...

Quote:

...to insinuate that those who have little or no regard for Christianity are lesser people says a lot about the Christian faith itself.

I don't think I insinuated that at all.

Phaedrus49er · 02-14-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FishrCutB8:
If people don't care, then they don't care. But, snide, inane remarks are something else. Disdain is not the same as not caring...

Okay, more relativity. Some things you consider snide may be seen as satirical and lighthearted by others. All a matter of perspective, I suppose.

Quote:

quote:
...to insinuate that those who have little or no regard for Christianity are lesser people says a lot about the Christian faith itself.

I don't think I insinuated that at all. [/quote]Tough to tell. It seems that if people don't act appropriately in regard to an issue such as this that you consider important, it disappoints you. If you "expect more thought from JP's place than most places on the Net," I think everyone will agree that we have that here. It just may not be the same "thought" you prefer. Personally, I think that religion is a crock, but that's me, and yes, I will make comments to poke fun and perhaps get a laugh. If those comments make someone angry, it really doesn't bother me. Again, anger of this nature stems from insecurity. If something is taken too seriously, it becomes destructive, just like any belief system.

Beliefs are tricky. They aren't changed easily. People fight over them, die over them, kill over them, all because these people "know" that they're "right." While beliefs can be and are personal, that also can make them dangerous. (Horrible paraphrase, but quick, name the movie)

ODB · 02-14-2005, 03:56 PM

Hey Fish, Charger or anyone else I pissed off -

I want to apologize if I changed the direction fo this thread with my comments. I was raised Catholic but as I've explored my own feelings and beliefs I've become jaded about the ritual aspect of Catholicism. If belief and faith are the reasoning for "giving up something" for lent then shouldn't this be a daily thing. Fish on Fridays, church on Sundays, Palm Sunday, Easter and Christmas were all things that humans made up as a way to worship God/Christ without having to actually live our lives in the way He asked us too on a daily basis.

So when you asked what I'm giving up for Lent (and I do assume you are asking me since I am a regular contributor on this board) I gave one of my typical smart ass answers. I can't help being me. This is why I stay off religious discussion boards. Everyone just gets pissed off.

FishrCutB8 · 02-14-2005, 04:12 PM

Not trying to start a battle royale here. Like I said, I expect more from JP members...just me? Maybe.

Yes, people do kill in the name of religion. It doesn't make them right. A lot of people without religion kill, too. I suspect the former group missed the message just as much as the latter group.

Charger · 02-14-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Beliefs are tricky. They aren't changed easily. People fight over them, die over them, kill over them, all because these people "know" that they're "right." While beliefs can be and are personal, that also can make them dangerous. (Horrible paraphrase, but quick, name the movie)

That would be Chris Rock's character (Ralph maybe) from Dogma.

All the other questions you gave would need alot more discussion that I'm going to do on a board, but you could PM me and we could talk over e-mail or something. Or if you're really interested check out "Catholic and Christian" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...981909-3654409

ODB,
It's cool I figured you had no harsh intent.