Enough with the giving things up for Lent nonsense

[TrogL]

You do not give things up for giving thing's up sake, for example as a punishment or deprivation.

Lent is a time of prayer, study and contemplation. If you believe outside things are interfering with this, fine, give them up.

Otherwise, do your prayer, study and contemplation and carry on.

[shenmue]

1. Scusi per favore...

but it's up to each person.

That's their beeswax.

[cbayer]

2. There was recently an article posted here that encouraged

people to give up some of their wasteful energy dependence for lent.

I think it's a great idea, as it would make people much more thoughtful about what they do and don't need and hopefully establish some new and better habits.

But I like your idea as well and it never hurts for anyone, religious or not, to step away from the things that are interfering with their more contemplative selves.

Hope you are having a good Fat Tuesday, TrogL.

[TrogL]

4. I'm missing the pancake supper for a dinner meeting with the boss.

Maybe we'll order pancakes, but I doubt they're on the menu.

[cbayer]

6. Mmmm…. pancakes.

Being unable to get maple syrup, and unwilling to settle for anything less, I have given up pancakes.

Hope your meeting goes well and that you are staying thawed out.

[okasha]

10. Try honey instead.

You'll never look back.

[cbayer]

15. Will do, but I'm a big maple syrup fan.

[Itchinjim]

3. 13 years ago I gave up smoking for Lent.

13 years later I'm still not smoking. Lent is a time of sacrifice, self denial and contemplation. Lent is a time to make yourself a better person.
I kind of like Lent.

[cbayer]

5. My heartfelt congratulations to you.

I am a smoker and have never been successful at giving it up for longer than a year or so.

I have great admiration for those that do.

[trotsky]

7. I guess I don't understand why a period that's supposed to be about sacrifice...

and self-reflection seems to be turned into a personal display of "look what *I'm* doing" for many believers.

Matthew 6:5-6

[hrmjustin]

8. Todays Gospel was Jesus saying beware of practicing your piety before others.

Then we got ashes on our heads. It is designed to be contradictory.

[hrmjustin]

9. And I am not giving anything up. Never do.

I am attending more to my spiritual life.

[No Vested Interest]

11. I intend to do some positive things that I've not done so often lately.

Ex. Getting to bed earlier than had been my wont; that will enable me to get a longer night's sleep and to attend weekday Mass more frequently.
My history of denying myself is not so great. Not at all successful in giving up desserts, etc.; I simply forget when I see something tasty.

[AtheistCrusader]

12. I don't think it unusual that people will co-opt a social artifact.

For instance, I don't think Christianity has much to do with an egg-shitting bunny, but ta-da: easter.

[eridani]

13. I used to give up candy for Lent

Now I give up fast food burgers to save the rain forest.

[Dorian Gray]

14. But...

I'm going to give up Soda! So I lose weight! Because isn't that what it's all about?

[Iggo]

16. Close.

So close.