Why I Don't Observe Lent

The Aquaila Report ^ | March 3, 2014 | Roland Barnes

[Mad Dawg]

YOUR issue may not be God's decision. Mine is exactly God's decision. You are free to question God's wisdom in determining that giving his Son to redeem a slave. I abide by his judgment.

Then, ridiculously, you insist that I am saying something I did not say -- because you did not understand what I said.

Have a nice day. I have been spoiled by the company of people who don't tell me what I meant but ask what I meant. I much prefer it.

[CynicalBear]

"But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

But......suit yourself.

[Mad Dawg]

Actually what most of the saved feel is pity

Wow! Somebody who knows what most of the saved FEEL! What research did you do to ascertain the feelings of most of the saved, and how did you determine your sample?

But wait. What's this?
"feeling holy" is not being holy ..
I'm guessing that the same thinking leads to the conclusion that FEELING Pity is not the same as HAVING Pity -- Since Pity is not necessarily a FEELING any more than sanctity is.

The emotional disturbances and perturbations of "the saved" are no concern of mine.

[CynicalBear]

>>we do not think of the sayings of Jesus as a new and demanding law which requires literal observance at the expense of the act itself<<

Jesus didn't say it was a law. He only pointed out the results of doing it one way or the other. Choose the result you want.

[Mad Dawg]

I just love it when Protestants try to instruct me in Catholic ecclesiology.

Okay, actually, no I don’t.

Yes, when Protestants judge falsely, and I feel falsely judged, it IS telling. And WHAT it tells is that Protestants areincreasingly like Muslims in the rejection of reason and their persistence in declaring others wrong.

[tioga]

There are 3 pillars of Lent...prayer, fasting and almsgiving. All Christians should practice these and Lent is the perfect time to emphasize them. Catholics are known for it, but I hope all Christians practice this.

[MayflowerMadam]

“..much of what the Catholic Church teaches and demands leads back to it’s time of Constantine and the marriage of paganism and Christianity.”

Exactly right. The huge thread of paganism running through R.C. “theology” is astounding. The pagan mother-child co-deity worship is a glaring example.

[lupie]

Hi D,

We all can look up on Wikipedia and we all know that Christ humbled Himself to death on a cross. I am not interested in what you can copy and paste, I am interested in YOUR definition of humility, and how you would describe a humble person who lived today.

[detch]

You are looking for an answer you already have.

I think I answered your question. I agree with the wikipedia definition, and I think the Bible provides many passages that provide an understanding of what humility is.

My Dad was the most humble person I ever knew — never said a bad word about anyone, was faithful to his wife, family and religion, always put others before himself, knelt down beside his bed every night to pray, even in his 80’s. When asked his opinion of an allegedly abusive husband of granddaughter, said about him, “He’s a very interesting character, in a negative sort of way.”

I’ll repeat, “Those who are first shall be last, and those who are last shall be first (in the kingdom of God).

I’ll leave it at that with you...

[boatbums]

But the reasoning trotted out every Lent -- because dissing Catholics is more important to Protestants than praising God and victory in a bogus argument is more valuable the learning the Truth in an honest discussion -- is - "OOH! Pharisees! Disfigured faces. Catholics (and many others) Disfigured faces! So Catholics are Pharisees!"

We are told Jesus and the twelve didn't always wash before they ate. The Pharisees did. I'm guessing most non-Catholics in the US wash their hands before meals. Therefore, according to the organon of this argument, non-Catholics are Pharisees, for they both wash before meals.

I must say I'm surprised by your visceral reaction to this thread. You don't seem to mind the multitude of Roman Catholic pro-Lent threads - many that DO diss non-Catholics for not observing the time like Catholics do - but pipe up when someone explains why they don't. No one is demeaning the observance of Lent - contrary to the accusing rants - but giving some objective history behind it and defending the reasons why some Christians do not observe it. I marvel that some Catholics here operate with such hair trigger reactors to anything that could possibly imply criticism of their religion that they cannot recognize or respect differing views even when they are expressed in terms that are far from attacking others' contrary beliefs. THAT attitude is common here.

That many Catholics make light of what was probably initially intended to be a solemn time of self reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection is undeniable. I recall giving up bubblegum as a child. Mom just informed me she was giving up ice cream for Lent. Does anyone really think one day a week without meat is any kind of sacrifice in America? Eating seafood is a treat for most families!

There are genuine times Christians fast and pray - and Scripture never forbids such. But what Jesus denounced was the making a show of ones actions. Sackcloth and ashes, I'm sure, meant a lot more hundreds of years ago and REAL fasting entailed a genuine, personal cost. Walking around at work with a black smudge on ones forehead at work on Ash Wednesday, though, isn't an indicator of what is in a person's heart. Jesus' teaching was that fasting is good but it should be between you and God. It's no one else's business.

[boatbums]

You can do as you wish. But when the Catholic Church declares that it and it alone is the true "church" and that salvation can be found only through it you can expect to be corrected by scripture. If we post scripture and you feel judged it's rather telling.

Not only does the Roman Catholic church declare itself to be THE church of Christ and no one can be saved outside of her, she makes her rites and rituals obligatory and mandated to all under penalty of condemnation in mortal sin. That is what is being objected to here.

[D-fendr]

it's about AtLeastIAmNotPapistScum.

It's most important to adhere to an Anti-Creed, the Non Credo...

[D-fendr]

just because someone discusses the history of the practice..

Ah yes, the reasoned discussion of the history.. You must have missed the comments - including your own.

[stonehouse01]

Fellow Catholics ...

Thank you. They miss the point entirely!!! We fast to imitate our Lord and Master, Jesus. Scripture tells us to imitate Him.

It is as simple as that; and look at how they rant and discourse and create chaos and confusion because they all get to decide for themselves what and what not to do.

1 Cor 11:1

[boatbums]

You must have missed the OP article.

[D-fendr]

Nopers, saw it - and the comments.

[metmom]

Yeah, well Jesus went into the desert to fast.

What He didn’t do was make a public spectacle of it and make sure everyone knew He was doing it and what He gave up so that everyone could moan and groan about hos tough it would be and ooh and ahh about how pious He was.

Those who make a show of their religious acts have their reward.

[D-fendr]

We can also make a show about not making a show.

Humans are funny like that.

[Vermont Lt]

You guys sound like Sunnis bitching about Shiites.

And you are just as effective.

[boatbums]

Then elaborate. Unless all you want to do is gripe because some Christians don’t observe Lent like RCs do.