EASTER VENT (if you're highly sensitive to your beliefs don't bother reading)

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Posted by dm24angel

then the disrespect others have shown her should bother you as well.

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This is exactly what has been going through my mind as I've followed this thread for the past few days!!! X voiced her opinion about why the holidays bother here and then she was virtually attacked for doing so. It seems that every other person who responded was offended by what she had to say. I was more offended by some of the comments made by other people. BUT! I am personally not going to get involved in this. I consciously choose to not practice any particular religion and I especially don't like having discussions about it. Although it's great to read/hear what other people have to say!!

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Posted by dm24angel
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.

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i didnt mean to imply all people who show up 2x a year talk throughtout mass... i know thats only a small few....

the way i look at mass is.... the week is 168 hours long... i budget 1 /168 hours to attend mass. there are multiple masses on sunday morning, and saturday night, and for the rare chance i cant make it then, then i show up for the 1/2 hour mass durring the week....thats just my priority, along with prayer at night and trying to be a good person,.... for other people if they cant make it out for 1 hour then im sure by praying and being a good person they are no less in faith...

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Posted by dm24angel

then the disrespect others have shown her should bother you as well.

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I agree...I had posted on the bottom of page 1 how I was impressed that everyone originally involved in the discussion had been respectful of one another even while disagreeing. I now take it back.

The thing with religion is there is no wrong or right. Everyone I know has slightly different beliefs and practices, and everyone has a right to his or her opinion. X just wanted to vent about how she felt during this time, which she had every right to do. No one needs to agree, but everyone should respect everyone else opinion and feelings.

Dave&Sue very funny!!

I think it's safe to say that people who wish any one a happy anthing are not trying to be offensive or obnoxious, or trying to shove religion on anyone. Merely they are being polite, as the majority of people celebrate something around the holidays. Try not to take personal offense to it, as I don't think it is meant that way.
As far as TV goes, again I assume that programmers are aiming to please the majority with what they show. Just change the channel, save yourself the grief of gettting aggrevated about it.

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Posted by Jax430

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Posted by dm24angel

then the disrespect others have shown her should bother you as well.

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I agree...I had posted on the bottom of page 1 how I was impressed that everyone originally involved in the discussion had been respectful of one another even while disagreeing. I now take it back.

The thing with religion is there is no wrong or right. Everyone I know has slightly different beliefs and practices, and everyone has a right to his or her opinion. X just wanted to vent about how she felt during this time, which she had every right to do. No one needs to agree, but everyone should respect everyone else opinion and feelings.

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Of course she has the right to come here and vent but IMO it's more then insensitive and disrepctful to say I am Agnostic - I hate easter.

I am Catholic, I don't hate Passover or Ramadan. They are events that I don't observe. I would not spend time objecting to them and insulting the people that celebrate them at the same time.

As for the movies on TV that are so offensive, change the channel. I cannot stand shows like Fear Factor & Ripley's Believe it or Not so I don't watch them.

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Posted 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.

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I understand you get frustrated about these things, but you should try to understand that this is an important holiday to those that are religious. I think maybe that you just get overwhelmed and then post about this when you are at your breaking point, because I doubt that someone who seeks tolerance for their right to be agnostic would normally be so intolerant of those of us who do find deep meaning in xmas and Easter.

One of my biggest complaints is when people call xmas 'just a commercial holiday.' Ahhh, that is so untrue for many people.

You don't have to believe what I believe, but you also don't have to belittle it, either.

Well I hope those who celebrate Easter had a good one. Those who don’t I hope you had a good weekend.

I started this thread to voice an opinion. I’m not stupid and I realize that my opinion is in a minority. I am not afraid to voice that opinion. Venting is part of this board. I re-read my post carefully (since I wrote it in haste) and I am very glad to say I NEVER said I HATED Easter. I found it ‘taxing’ and ‘frustrating’ but hate is a bit of a strong word.

For those who refer to themselves as ‘Faithful’ in a fashion that would imply I am not, well, you’re wrong. I am extremely faithful. Just because we don’t follow the same faith does not make yours better than mine or somehow superior.

This whole thread kept itself civil, honest, open and fair to a point. Then it got mean. There was no need for that and for that I am sorry.

The opposite of faithful observance/obedience in my mind is the act of passing judgement on others. Mudslinging and name calling is not very Christian like behavior. Religion can bring the best and the worst of people depending on their need to ‘defend’ what needs no ‘defending’.

For the poster who offered in a very charitable and CHRISTIAN act of fellowship and community to answer my questions that I would not post because I knew I’d be crucified: I hope you realize that this is what I was trying to point out to you. There are those who are quick to judge and slam down Agnostics like myself, no matter how much I say I mean no offense.

For those who wished a Happy Easter. I took no offense. This is a public forum, I chose to ignore that and take it in the good faith I believe it was posted in. Much like Happy Weekend. I did have a great weekend, avoided TV and home all of Sunday.

Lastly, most of you grew up in your religion. Catholic, Christian, Jewish,.whatever it may be. I grew up religious in the sense that I followed my mother’s church. It wasn’t until later that I found out I was lost there. It took me years to find my faith a home. So in a way, I am still new to my religion in that I find myself very proud of it and shocked to see the lack of understanding others give me.

For that I vented. Before you judge me, know me.

Tolerance is a difficult thing. I try hard to exercise it. This Easter was just rougher than most. For those who want to continue this thread of trying to prove your point that you feel I may or may not have offended you in some way, be my guest. I take responsibility for my post and need no defending of it. (Although I thank those out there who DO show Tolerance and understanding, you honor me and I thank you for it)

In a way, this thread shows why I became Agnostic to begin with. So much anger and accusations flying around. So much decisive behavior and pushing. So much “I am Just, I am Faithful”. So much to do about something that is based in peace, love and tolerance. I always found it odd that the one thing in this world that should bring us together keeps us apart.

We are not the judge and jury. Only one can be. If you truly believe then you should have faith that it will all be accounted for. Spread love and the word, not hate and perhaps help others who may need help staying on that path. Religion is meant to share community, fellowship and beliefs. To use to show anger and judgement upon others could be considered arrogant. To believe that you, above all others, know him better than any one else, let’s say, ‘brave’.

Can’t we all just agree to disagree on how we practice our faith? Can’t a person just vent that it’s hard on me as an Agnostic to be the judge so quickly? I guess you could use the analogy of the Jewish kid in school during Christmas or the dark haired Hispanic girl that everyone assumes speaks Spanish. Stop making assumptions. Follow that Christian mantra of the idea that ALL are Brothers and Sisters.

I realize I have accepting my faith and my life and that in doing so I have opened myself up to constant judgement by others and scrutiny. Calm, open-minded discussions educate me and I appreciate them. I also appreciate those who are quick to offend and bash me for it. For even those folks teach me.

To all here who believe in ANYTHING that promotes goodness, kindness, tolerance and faith.

I took no offense and Im sorry if you did.

We are all just lowly humans ruled by emotions and our experiences. No shame in that. It's only natural.

But unfortunately this is getting a little out of hand. I think I'm gonna have this locked. It was such a great exchange of thoughts and I thank EVERYONE (each and every one of you) who posted your beliefs.

For those who want to know more about Agnostics... Here's a link
What is an Agnostic? - Link

And in my own Christian way of faith (because those who are Agnostics can be Christians) I wish you all well.

X

Xelindrya asked that I lock this thread so I did!

Um, no one judged you for being agnostic. I think people were offended by the way you spoke about Easter and Christmas. I personally took offense to the birth of Jesus being referred to as just a commercial holiday. But I am not offended by your agnostic views. Everyone is entitled to their own religious views. Just because I am Catholic does not mean that I should run around pointing out all of the beliefs of Judiasm that I disagree with. Along those same lines, just because you are agnostic, does not mean that you should point out all of the beliefs of Christianity that you disagree with. In that way, we can all peacefully coexist.

If I came on here and posted a long vent about agnostic people who can't just respond kindly if I happen to wish them a Happy Easter or tell them to have a nice Easter Weekend, I would expect that to offend you and some others around here.

You don't have to keep posting religious vents about how you are agnostic, how many problems you see with religion as a whole, and Christianity in particular, and you certainly don't need to keep telling us your opinion that the bible is full of half-truths and you don't believe in it.

There is a line between stating your opinion and ramming it down someone's throat.