EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Original post by Xelindrya
I just HAVE to vent, sorry!
I’m SO glad this Holiday Season is almost over!! No offense to anyone but this is a very taxing season for me. Being Agnostic means I normally feel I am not qualified to judge others on their beliefs since I feel no one REALLY knows the whole story well enough to make an absolute judgement on faith or religion itself.
That being said, this time is so very heavily religious in nature. MORE so that xmas, I think. Xmas is just a commercialized fanfare. Easter is so ‘deep’ for some folks. Not just one faith but lots of them. So much going on about now. And, unlike xmas, it’s not just a build up for one special day, it’s a seasonal thing. It’s a long and drawn out event.
Keeping my mouth shut is my own form of lent if you will. This is tough!
Even now, there’s so much I want to ask and prod and question about. Still, I know that no matter how I word it or how much I say “I’m just curious” no one will take it that way and I’ll be the one crucified. I hate going out in public (other than the steak house) during this time.
Even at the office all I hear is “Happy Easter” blah blah Any big plans of the holiday weekend? (which we don’t even get a day off for hehe) So, Veronica, are you ‘doing Easter’ at your house or someone elses?
“Do Easter”? As if this is some social event? When I say “uhm, no” and they ask what that means (some do). What am I to say? My line for this year is “I’m sorry but I’m Agnostic and Easter just isn’t a big deal for me” Some still don’t get it. “Oh so you aren’t religious (WRONG) but what about his family aren’t you going to sit and eat with them?” What’s so hard to understand? This holiday just rubs me the wrong way, along with xmas. This one is just worse cause it lasts longer!!!
Only other holiday that’s worse than this one is Thanksgiving, but at least THEN I get a chance to see Football on TV. With Easter all I get is Jesus, Moses and other religious stories on TV. It’s SOOO Annoying! Not even cute Rudolph or something amusing. Can’t we at least have BUNNY stories ore something?? Instead every time I flip the channel I see a person whipped, chained or hung. Oh joyous of seasons!
Sorry.. bah.. I’m being bad.
Just HAD to vent!
whew.. feels good to type that out! I hope I didnt pin point any one religion or faith in my rant. I mean it's just that I feel SO much in the minority. It's frustrating.
Sunshine128
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
I think everyone should just eat some chocolate bunnies and we'll all feel better!
Xelindrya
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by ChristineC68
But people that believe in the bible may find it disrepectful to call it fiction. I wouldn't generalize or catagorize ANY religious writings as fiction - James Patterson is fiction. IMO, it's not anywhere near the same thing.
Ok
I didnt mean to imply I find the whole thing fictional.. just rather I find it a lot of half-truths and exaggerations. That's my opinion. Though I'll agree it's definately not anywhere near the same thing of Patterson.
Here's where it's just a stalemate. I find it offense to have others 'tell' me I am being offensive because it feels like someone forcing their beliefs on me because I am not being offensive, even if you feel that I am. At least I dont mean to be offensive. Same time, I respect your opinion and don't feel you really mean to be offensive to me, so I'll just say we agree to disagree. But I wont take back my belief that the bible is not truthful, but I apologize that bothers you to see it typed out. Even though you can't change my mind. Hence the stalemate.
Hopefully this won't escalate into something nasty overnight. It was meant to be an vent at first then an honest and open sharing of opinions. I feel none of us here can really say 'youre wrong'. (edited to say) Meaning none of us really know who's right or wrong except what we feel is right and wrong to ourselves. That should be enough for each of us.
Im off to sleep now. Good night to all.
Lisa Rose
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by Xelindrya
Posted by ChristineC68
But people that believe in the bible may find it disrepectful to call it fiction. I wouldn't generalize or catagorize ANY religious writings as fiction - James Patterson is fiction. IMO, it's not anywhere near the same thing.
Ok
I didnt mean to imply I find the whole thing fictional.. just rather I find it a lot of half-truths and exaggerations. That's my opinion. Though I'll agree it's definately not anywhere near the same thing of Patterson.
Here's where it's just a stalemate. I find it offense to have others 'tell' me I am being offensive because it feels like someone forcing their beliefs on me because I am not being offensive, even if you feel that I am. At least I dont mean to be offensive. Same time, I respect your opinion and don't feel you really mean to be offensive to me, so I'll just say we agree to disagree. But I wont take back my belief that the bible is not truthful, but I apologize that bothers you to see it typed out. Even though you can't change my mind. Hence the stalemate.
Hopefully this won't escalate into something nasty overnight. It was meant to be an vent at first then an honest and open sharing of opinions. I feel none of us here can really say 'youre wrong'. (edited to say) Meaning none of us really know who's right or wrong except what we feel is right and wrong to ourselves. That should be enough for each of us.
Im off to sleep now. Good night to all.
Of course like usual, I have NO idea what you are talking about. you use alot of words but they don't make sense.
ChristineC68
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by Xelindrya Ok
I didnt mean to imply I find the whole thing fictional.. just rather I find it a lot of half-truths and exaggerations. That's my opinion. Though I'll agree it's definately not anywhere near the same thing of Patterson.
Here's where it's just a stalemate. I find it offense to have others 'tell' me I am being offensive because it feels like someone forcing their beliefs on me because I am not being offensive, even if you feel that I am. At least I dont mean to be offensive. Same time, I respect your opinion and don't feel you really mean to be offensive to me, so I'll just say we agree to disagree. But I wont take back my belief that the bible is not truthful, but I apologize that bothers you to see it typed out. Even though you can't change my mind. Hence the stalemate.
Hopefully this won't escalate into something nasty overnight. It was meant to be an vent at first then an honest and open sharing of opinions. I feel none of us here can really say 'youre wrong'. (edited to say) Meaning none of us really know who's right or wrong except what we feel is right and wrong to ourselves. That should be enough for each of us.
Im off to sleep now. Good night to all.
I didn't think I was being nasty and I didn't say you were offensive.
I accept your apology.
I was not in any way trying to convince you to believe everything written in the bible.
You have expressed your frustrations about people 'forcing their religion' on you many times and have asked that you be respected for your beliefs. I was just pointing out that it goes both ways.
Jax430
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
I just finished catching up on this thread, and although I have nothing too pertinent to add, I just wanted to say that this was one of the best discussions between people of differing opinions that I have read on these boards, and I give you ladies a lot of credit for being able to express and DISCUSS your opinions without a lot of drama. It's nice to see
WeDidIt!
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by Xelindrya
I just HAVE to vent, sorry!
Even now, there’s so much I want to ask and prod and question about. Still, I know that no matter how I word it or how much I say “I’m just curious” no one will take it that way and I’ll be the one crucified...
I am a Christian and I don't get offended by the questions. There are some 'questions' that people ask in a manner that is meant to be offensive. I didn't get that from your post. So, please don't let a few 'short on patience' people stop you from asking whatever is on your mind.
OctGroom
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
As a Catholic, reading some of the comments in this post.. I have found to be most trerrible.
The characterizations of Holy Days such as CHRISTMAS and Easter I find deeply disturbing and filled with venom.
For many of the Faithful, these days and the seasons of Advent and Lent preceding them are most important to their spiritual lives.
But the depiction of the scourging of Christ really was unnecessary and very cruel.
Extremely.
I am unafraid of being offended.. but I shall not allow things to be said without the other point of view being given.
That being said --
MY Best Man is agnostic.. yet he is my Brother.. though we are not of the same family. I have chosen him to be at my side on my most Wonderful day when I marry my FW.
And I say to those who disagree with me about God as I say to him --
I do not agree at all with your beliefs but ..
I know I have been commanded by the Lord to fill the world with as much love as I can..
And I say to you...
May God bless you and take care of you always! May He always give you happiness and peace everyday!
butterfly20
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
veronica.... i cant stand flipping on and seeing the beatings either...... i do remember seeing a peter cottontail story on tv though(bunny)....
dm24angel
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by 121502
I would like to add one thing that annoys ME, and that would be people looking at me like I have ten heads when I am eating chicken on Good Friday. YOU DON'T KNOW ME OR MY RELIGION, WHO ARE YOU TO COMMENT THAT IT'S GOOD FRIDAY? Ok, I just felt this was a good place to get that off my chest. Thanks.
I recently got into this with some people at my job as well..I asked four people why they didnt eat meat and none of them knew the true reasons and so it offended me slightly that they were commenting on my desire to do so. Many don't know that the tradition involing meat was actually to keep the animals fat and full to eat during the barren months and that knowledge is available to any christian who wants to look further into it.
I have strong beliefs as well and tend to bump heads when someone says the bible is fictional...Where do they get this from? Ask any Roman Catholic priest in this day and age and they will of course tell you that in those times, the first books being written were written in language that those people knew and that involved fictionalizinf the words, very similiar to the Greeks and mythology, most of that was truth, written in grand fictional manners to keep peoples attentions because that is how they wrote and spoke in that day and age. People are all too eager to just argue then back up their arguement and during a season like Easter/Lent/Passover it is common and sad for I think many of us are eager to learn about what we don;t know but instead often hit a brick wall when questioning anything we need more information about...we are told to question is to not believe and I find that sad.
JMO's by the way, not meant to offend anyone, I do admit this is a sticky topic..please read with an open mind.
dm24angel
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by Jax430
I just finished catching up on this thread, and although I have nothing too pertinent to add, I just wanted to say that this was one of the best discussions between people of differing opinions that I have read on these boards, and I give you ladies a lot of credit for being able to express and DISCUSS your opinions without a lot of drama. It's nice to see
I agree and wanted to say that, all of the responses/comments were written overall in a very unodfeensive, intelligent way and it goes to say a lot about all us to behave so maturaly about such a difficult topic to discuss.
Claud2001
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by OctGroom
As a Catholic, reading some of the comments in this post.. I have found to be most trerrible.
The characterizations of Holy Days such as CHRISTMAS and Easter I find deeply disturbing and filled with venom.
For many of the Faithful, these days and the seasons of Advent and Lent preceding them are most important to their spiritual lives.
But the depiction of the scourging of Christ really was unnecessary and very cruel.
Extremely.
I am unafraid of being offended.. but I shall not allow things to be said without the other point of view being given.
That being said --
MY Best Man is agnostic.. yet he is my Brother.. though we are not of the same family. I have chosen him to be at my side on my most Wonderful day when I marry my FW.
And I say to those who disagree with me about God as I say to him --
I do not agree at all with your beliefs but ..
I know I have been commanded by the Lord to fill the world with as much love as I can..
And I say to you...
May God bless you and take care of you always! May He always give you happiness and peace everyday!
Amen, my brother in Christ.
Sassyz75
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
I just don't understand why this religious season would bother you if you are agnostic... if anything this season is of joy and redemtion and renewal in both the Christian and Jewish religions.
I personally don't think that religious programming on television is offending anyone... afterall, you cannot please everyone and I personally am offended by some of the filth in regular 'non religious' shows.
At it's least, people are simply trying to wish you a happy holiday- what ever you celebrate. I do not think you should take those well wishes with offense.. do you get mad when people say 'god bless you' when you sneeze? If you do, you really need to chill out, because there are many more aweful things to be concentrating on in this World.
Kel
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Seems like good timing for me to express my issues: (And let me just start off by saying .. I've been told many times in the past, that I think too much).
When someone sneezes and I say 'Bless you' .. I do worry sometimes that I'm being offensive .. because some people do not respond at all .. at all! So, how am I supposed to take it??? Then, of course, if I don't say 'Bless You,' I feel like there's this awkward silence, like I should have said something.
When someone says Happy Easter, Merry Christmas .. and I respond 'You, too' .. I do worry that I'm out-of-line .. because maybe they don't celebrate those holidays.
When people snicker about those who only attend church for holidays, I find that unfair and very judgmental. Okay .. so maybe only going on holidays is not being as good to your faith as you should be .. but isn't it better to go even just these few times a year, than never at all??? Is it better to make a weekly/monthly habit of going with a heart that obviously isn't in it .. than to go a few special times a year, with a heart truly in the right place??? Honestly, there are people who go faithfully yet leave you wondering sometimes .. why do they bother??? But, I guess that's being judgmental, too.
june262004
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Why can't people just be nice and say Happy Holidays to you. Do you have cable television Im sure you can find something on TV. Last time I checked Thanksgiving wasn't a religious holiday. It was a day to give thanks for the Indians and Pilgram (really the Indians) for finding this great land! I am going to spend the day with my Family tomorrow after I work my Crappy Job!
No BEEF here...
butterfly20
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by Kel
Seems like good timing for me to express my issues: (And let me just start off by saying .. I've been told many times in the past, that I think too much).
When someone sneezes and I say 'Bless you' .. I do worry sometimes that I'm being offensive .. because some people do not respond at all .. at all! So, how am I supposed to take it??? Then, of course, if I don't say 'Bless You,' I feel like there's this awkward silence, like I should have said something.
When someone says Happy Easter, Merry Christmas .. and I respond 'You, too' .. I do worry that I'm out-of-line .. because maybe they don't celebrate those holidays.
When people snicker about those who only attend church for holidays, I find that unfair and very judgmental. Okay .. so maybe only going on holidays is not being as good to your faith as you should be .. but isn't it better to go even just these few times a year, than never at all??? Is it better to make a weekly/monthly habit of going with a heart that obviously isn't in it .. than to go a few special times a year, with a heart truly in the right place??? Honestly, there are people who go faithfully yet leave you wondering sometimes .. why do they bother??? But, I guess that's being judgmental, too.
i noticed that instead of saying 'god bless you' i now just say 'bless you'... i dont want to offend anyone yet i was brought up to say that along with my please and thank yous....
with the church thing my fh and i happen to go weekly...he's always enjoyed church always gone weekly, and he doesnt understand why people only show up a couple times of the year, he says why bother(because he feels they are only showing up out of obligation) but of course he feels once a year is better than none....
me on the other hand, my mother use to take me weekly, then we only went for holidays a couple years, then stopped completely for a couple of years, i then met my fh, went with him sometimes but my heart wasnt with it because i didnt understand the point. I then started getting into it, took a college religion course, started reading the bible, and started to get back into it... So for me i understand where people are coming from that they only show up a couple times a year...
now most(but not all) of the people who only show up a couple of times each year, when they do show up i find them talking throughout the mass... just a couple of weeks ago there were two fathers at mass with their children, they were chatting away waiting for their children to get a communion pin, then when children pass them by they say to be quiet in a house of worship then continue to start talking again..... So i agree... if your heart isnt in it, then dont go at all....the most important thing is prayer and being a good person and that doesnt require a place of worship
butterfly20
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
with that being said....
for the people that go to church..... when the people all get up and profess the apostles creed, and when they say the our father, if i look around its a little weird everyones in sync talking and staring at the same thing.... almost like zombies....
have a good holiday! i just finished coloring hard boiled eggs and now need to get to sleep before the easter bunny puts out my basket
Jenn524
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
>>Only other holiday that’s worse than this one is Thanksgiving, but at least THEN I get a chance to see Football on TV. With Easter all I get is Jesus, Moses and other religious stories on TV. It’s SOOO Annoying! Not even cute Rudolph or something amusing. Can’t we at least have BUNNY stories ore something?? Instead every time I flip the channel I see a person whipped, chained or hung. Oh joyous of seasons!<<
I've read through all the posts and I just have to comment on this. While I respect your beliefs, I found this expression of your freedom offensive. Easter is all about Jesus so you should only get Jesus. Christmas is so commercial and as a religious Catholic I find it offensive that all I can find during Christmas is Rudolph. I'm sorry if you're not comfortable with movies that remind people once a year about the tortue, pain and suffering Jesus went through for us. I understand that you might have meant it to be sarcastic, but can you honestly tell me that you don't feel that way? If you can than I apologize for taking offense to your comment.
I can understand that it must be frustrating to be wished Happy Easter when you don't celebrate it. But please understand that people are just trying to be nice and joyous. At my job I deal with a lot of Jewish people. The clients I deal with always wish me a happy whatever holiday is being celebrated. I don't take offense to this. I think it's nice when someone wishes me a happy anything.
I'm not trying to start an argument, I just wanted to state how I felt when I read your post.
janwinterbridejoy
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
i dont think that the torture of jesus is supposed to offend anyone. i think its supposed to remind us of what he went through and all of the pain and suffering for us. i walk away after seeing that and feel a lil more fortunate for the things and people i have in my life. i also think that when someone says happy easter or merry christmas there not trying to offend anyone if anything i would walk away happy that someone cared enough about me to wish me a happy day.
dm24angel
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Posted by butterfly20
Posted by Kel
Seems like good timing for me to express my issues: (And let me just start off by saying .. I've been told many times in the past, that I think too much).
When someone sneezes and I say 'Bless you' .. I do worry sometimes that I'm being offensive .. because some people do not respond at all .. at all! So, how am I supposed to take it??? Then, of course, if I don't say 'Bless You,' I feel like there's this awkward silence, like I should have said something.
When someone says Happy Easter, Merry Christmas .. and I respond 'You, too' .. I do worry that I'm out-of-line .. because maybe they don't celebrate those holidays.
When people snicker about those who only attend church for holidays, I find that unfair and very judgmental. Okay .. so maybe only going on holidays is not being as good to your faith as you should be .. but isn't it better to go even just these few times a year, than never at all??? Is it better to make a weekly/monthly habit of going with a heart that obviously isn't in it .. than to go a few special times a year, with a heart truly in the right place??? Honestly, there are people who go faithfully yet leave you wondering sometimes .. why do they bother??? But, I guess that's being judgmental, too.
i noticed that instead of saying 'god bless you' i now just say 'bless you'... i dont want to offend anyone yet i was brought up to say that along with my please and thank yous....
with the church thing my fh and i happen to go weekly...he's always enjoyed church always gone weekly, and he doesnt understand why people only show up a couple times of the year, he says why bother(because he feels they are only showing up out of obligation) but of course he feels once a year is better than none....
me on the other hand, my mother use to take me weekly, then we only went for holidays a couple years, then stopped completely for a couple of years, i then met my fh, went with him sometimes but my heart wasnt with it because i didnt understand the point. I then started getting into it, took a college religion course, started reading the bible, and started to get back into it... So for me i understand where people are coming from that they only show up a couple times a year...
now most(but not all) of the people who only show up a couple of times each year, when they do show up i find them talking throughout the mass... just a couple of weeks ago there were two fathers at mass with their children, they were chatting away waiting for their children to get a communion pin, then when children pass them by they say to be quiet in a house of worship then continue to start talking again..... So i agree... if your heart isnt in it, then dont go at all....the most important thing is prayer and being a good person and that doesnt require a place of worship
I'm hoping that the few who are rude during mass are indeed few and far between, it does though seem as if you are judging all who don't show up with the actions of a few.....
There are many times when I do not go to Sunday mass regularly..they are often during times where I am working 60-70 hrs a week, and going to school and those few precious hrs of sleep on Sunday are in my mind dependant on my health...do I feel god is upset or that I am less of a Catholic?...never once...and if anyone looked at me twice when I did show up on the next holiday, I would be upset that they questioned my spirituality....no-one is perfect, and many celebrate their faith differently , we should be applauding our differences as we would never be able to better our souls and learn if we were all the same.
Kate
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Re: EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)
Help me understand why you are bothered by this 'holiday Season'? Easter is the holiest day of the year, not Christmas. I am catholic, not *very* religious, but it would be like me saying I can't wait for Passover to be over. A Jewish person celebrating Passover doesn't effect me so why should I care what season it is? Its true that most people assume that everyone is celebrating 'something' this past week, but I don't think they mean any harm. If for nothing else, I'd say its a nice chance to get together with family and just celebrate that.
