Lent...
So I've realized that most of my posts have been angry rants recently... well this one is no different lol.
I never talk about religion, but today I can't sit back silently... lent is RIDICULOUS!!! What on earth does giving up your favorite candy have to do with your faith?! All of my roommate are appalled that I'm not giving anything up and I ask them WHY they're going through with the ridiculousness of lent and they just say, "because I'm supposed to." Oh, come on. None of you are actually practicing Catholics and this is your way to make yourself feel better about the fact that you swear, drink and have regular sex. Ugh... lent is about SACRIFICE and serving your God... how is giving up Dr. Pepper a true sacrifice and service to God? It's not like you use the time you're "suffering" from lack of sugary carbonated beverage to do any self-reflecting or pious thinking.
I don't even think that the people that give something up even know where the tradition comes from... because if they did they would know that they're not even following proper "protocol" for the season. There are three ways that one is supposed to repent during lent, which are also the three ways Jewish and Islamic people repent.
They are: prayer, fasting and alms giving (charity). Maybe if you're willing to follow all three than you can be considered a "practicing" Catholic during the time period. If not, no dice.
I do have religious beliefs and I do believe in a God. Do I believe in a "big man in the sky?" No. I believe that God rests in side of me and is my soul and my conscience. When it's "judgement" day, I think what will matter is not what I gave up for lent one year or even if I went to church, but my overall character and outlook on life. I think the principle of beneficence applies here... do good. Is always doing good possible? No, of course not, but if ones intentions are good and one always tries to do good, than I think that that's all that really matters.
I never talk about religion, but today I can't sit back silently... lent is RIDICULOUS!!! What on earth does giving up your favorite candy have to do with your faith?! All of my roommate are appalled that I'm not giving anything up and I ask them WHY they're going through with the ridiculousness of lent and they just say, "because I'm supposed to." Oh, come on. None of you are actually practicing Catholics and this is your way to make yourself feel better about the fact that you swear, drink and have regular sex. Ugh... lent is about SACRIFICE and serving your God... how is giving up Dr. Pepper a true sacrifice and service to God? It's not like you use the time you're "suffering" from lack of sugary carbonated beverage to do any self-reflecting or pious thinking.
I don't even think that the people that give something up even know where the tradition comes from... because if they did they would know that they're not even following proper "protocol" for the season. There are three ways that one is supposed to repent during lent, which are also the three ways Jewish and Islamic people repent.
They are: prayer, fasting and alms giving (charity). Maybe if you're willing to follow all three than you can be considered a "practicing" Catholic during the time period. If not, no dice.
I do have religious beliefs and I do believe in a God. Do I believe in a "big man in the sky?" No. I believe that God rests in side of me and is my soul and my conscience. When it's "judgement" day, I think what will matter is not what I gave up for lent one year or even if I went to church, but my overall character and outlook on life. I think the principle of beneficence applies here... do good. Is always doing good possible? No, of course not, but if ones intentions are good and one always tries to do good, than I think that that's all that really matters.