Feeling green
No, sir. I don't like St. Patrick's Day.
The mythic St. Patrick "drove the snakes out of Ireland." However, there were never any snakes in Ireland. What the legend suggested instead was that Patrick eliminated the last traces of the native culture from the island. Given the Catholic Church's record of generally homogenizing cultures and eliminating variation across the globe, this is considered a Good Thing. It's a dreadful thing to me: fortunately, it's just a myth.
The historic St. Patrick was a loon, sent to the furthest reaches of Christendom to keep him away from the Pope. His appearance on the island was subsequent to the conversion of Ireland, but he did popularize monasticism -- much to the chagrin of his supervisors. If I were a Catholic, I don't know that Patrick was representative of the sort of theologian I could respect. Furthermore, a holiday for this freak seems like a really lame reason to break Lenten fasts.
Primarily, I take offense in the stereotype of the drunken Irishman. As a descendant of Irish ancestors, I take particular offense at the notion that drinking somehow equates to Irish culture, or that I might be closer to my Irish ancestors if I were a drunken lout.
Green is one of the colors I look really good in, but I make a point to not wear green on this day. Originally, blue was the color associated with St. Patrick, so I'm not sure where the green thing comes from. Eating or drinking (unnaturally) green things is something I avoid year-round. I also avoid talking like a cereal schlepping leprechaun year-round. Frankly, I have no clue why anyone would pick this day -- of all others -- to look like an ass in front of their friends and co-workers.
It's enough to make me want to drink.
The mythic St. Patrick "drove the snakes out of Ireland." However, there were never any snakes in Ireland. What the legend suggested instead was that Patrick eliminated the last traces of the native culture from the island. Given the Catholic Church's record of generally homogenizing cultures and eliminating variation across the globe, this is considered a Good Thing. It's a dreadful thing to me: fortunately, it's just a myth.
The historic St. Patrick was a loon, sent to the furthest reaches of Christendom to keep him away from the Pope. His appearance on the island was subsequent to the conversion of Ireland, but he did popularize monasticism -- much to the chagrin of his supervisors. If I were a Catholic, I don't know that Patrick was representative of the sort of theologian I could respect. Furthermore, a holiday for this freak seems like a really lame reason to break Lenten fasts.
Primarily, I take offense in the stereotype of the drunken Irishman. As a descendant of Irish ancestors, I take particular offense at the notion that drinking somehow equates to Irish culture, or that I might be closer to my Irish ancestors if I were a drunken lout.
Green is one of the colors I look really good in, but I make a point to not wear green on this day. Originally, blue was the color associated with St. Patrick, so I'm not sure where the green thing comes from. Eating or drinking (unnaturally) green things is something I avoid year-round. I also avoid talking like a cereal schlepping leprechaun year-round. Frankly, I have no clue why anyone would pick this day -- of all others -- to look like an ass in front of their friends and co-workers.
It's enough to make me want to drink.