Anybody giving anything up?

[ina]

Since we had that discussion about pancake day etc on the other thread, I've been thinking - should I, or not, give something up for lent? And if so, is there a reason (apart from pure self indulgence) for doing it?

Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that I'll try to do without alcohol for that time - won't be too difficult, as I don't drink that much. And whether I do it purely for myself or whatever, shouldn't really matter - it'll do my health good, and my purse, and that should be reason enough. And having a kind of fixed time which is also widely acknowledged as a time for weird acts of frugality might make it easier to explain to others...

Anybody having similar plans?

[Libby]

I may give up meat completely, just for lent you understand

I,ve always been a big meat eater, but I,m down to about 2 days a week at the moment. Not sure I will ever give it up for good though.
I have to admit, I feel healthier too.

[Millymollymandy]

When does Lent start? Is it after Pancake Day which I think Shiney said was the 28th Feb?

[Shirley]

I'm not religious.... but hey... if it does me and my pocket good I'm up for it. We can gee each other along if we get to a point where we are tempted

I'm going to give up wine and use the money saved to buy seeds for the garden!!

Actually, I'm going to drastically reduce my meat consumption too - I'm going to try my soup diet again as I would like to lose a stone by summer time.

Nice one Ina.... perhaps we should call you the Motivator!

xxx

[Andy Hamilton]

Beat me to it Ina

I think that lent is a good time to take positive steps in your life, does not have to have to be religious. What about doing something positive rather than give something up? I am going to try to say positive things about people behind their backs, should not be too hard.

Was wondering about the origins of lent, the pagan new year used to start on 1st April, around this time (now in Feb/march) before the Romans came over and obviously and before any food was introduced from the new world there can't have been much about at all. So would it have been a time of fasting as a matter of course?

Or is it simply a christian invention, I doubt it as most of things have pagan roots.

[Shirley]

had a google -

Origins of Lent. The word "lent" is of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "spring." Lent developed from the pagan celebration of weeping, fasting, and mourning for 40 days over the death of Tammuz (one day for each year of his life). Tammuz (the son/husband of the Babylonian idol Ishtar) was killed by a wild boar and then allegedly resurrected. This mourning of Tammuz is specifically prophesied by Ezekiel in the Bible and is characterized by God Himself as being detestable

AND

http://www.613commandments.com/content/SANJ/easter.htm

[wulf]

I wonder if the author of that page pays any attention to the Amazon.com recommendations in the box at the side of the page? Probably not, if his downer on anything vaguely Easter flavoured is anything to go by!

Lent starts this Wednesday, based on the medieval customs of christendom. Shrove Tuesday would be the day for using up the remaining fat in the house and Ash Wednesday would be when you'd start the sackcloth and ashes fast season of Lent - there's quite a good article on the wikipedia.

I try not to live too extravagantly all year round and so tend not to go in for any special mortification during the season. However, that's not to say I think it's a bad idea, just one I've chosen not to take on for quite some time; I think Andy's suggestion of taking something up is also a good, positive one.

I can't wait for Tuesday and my annual excuse for pancakes though!

Wulf

[ina]

Thanks for that link, Shirlz - I now know that it was us Germans again who are responsible for all that Easter hype - well, for the Easter bunny and the egg hunt! Not for those awful huge Easter eggs with well-known brand names on them, I hasten to add. They are probably an American invention, eagerly snapped up by the Brits - we never had them in Germany...
And another funny thing - I love hot cross buns, and ever since I first came to the UK, I made them at Easter, even when I was in Germany. I was quite surprised when I read a recipe stating that they were "the traditional continental Easter bun". ??? Never seen them anywhere but in Britain. Does anybody know more about this?
Didn't know about the custom to wear new clothes for Easter, either - so I hope I'll have my new SSish t-shirt then, AND I hope the weather will be good enough to show it off!

[Shirley]

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48700

Hot cross buns too offensive for school
'I have never heard of anything so ridiculous'

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Posted: February 7, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern



© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com


Hot cross buns

A school in the United Kingdom has banned traditional hot cross buns for fear the religious symbol drawn on the top of each roll might offend some students.

Hot cross buns are normally served during the Easter season, especially on Good Friday. Without the white cross drawn with icing, the treat is just a plain currant bun.

The head teacher of the Oaks Primary School in Ipswich, UK, Tina Jackson, has asked her supplier to nix the crosses, the Suffolk Evening Star reported.

"I would be surprised if anyone was offended," commented the Rev. Haley Dossor, vicar at St Mary-at-the-Elms Church. "It seems to me people in the secular world are scared of religious symbols. The school is quite wrong. All religions should respect each other."


Jackson defended her action.

"Obviously, the hot cross bun is a celebration of Easter but it is not Easter yet," she told the paper.

"The cross is there in recognition of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, but for our students who are Jehovah Witnesses hot cross buns are not part of their beliefs. We decided to ask to have the cross removed in respect of their beliefs."

The Star quoted one observer, who did not wish to be named: "I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. Since when have hot cross buns been offensive?"

Albert Berwick, a minister with the Ipswich Cavendish Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, agreed with the schools' new bun policy.

"I can understand why the school has done this and I support the decision. Hot cross buns are a pagan symbol of fertility no different to bunnies, eggs and Easter," Berwick is quoted as saying. "The Bible states we should not worship things of a pagan origin."

Hot cross buns are the subject of a familiar children's song:


Hot cross buns, hot cross buns
One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns

[ina]

Thanks, Shirlz. I suppose they don't have an Easter holiday, either, but a spring holiday, etc?
I find it a bit sad that you can get hot cross buns all year round nowadays, doesn't make them seem special any more. I'll have mine on Good Friday, as per usual - and if I feel like it, I'll have currant buns the rest of the year!

[Shirley]

I think that they are only special if you make your own.

I've just been reading a chapter on bread in the Not On The Label book. I reckon I'll be doing a lot of baking from now on!!! I'll also be getting stoneground flour if I can - need to find a good local-ish supplier. Any suggestions Ina??

[wulf]

I definitely agree about making your own hot cross buns!

Also, I just realised that it's not quite true to say I'm doing nothing for Lent - I just got my sign up email for a group blog I enquired about a while ago so I'll be pondering others thoughts and contributing my own during the season. I've no idea how it will work out as I don't know any of the other contributors personally but it should be an interesting experiment in virtual community!

Wulf

[digger]

A catholic priest friend of mine once said he was giving up abstinence for lent. The really sad thing is that some people actuallt believed him

[Shirley]

A catholic priest friend of mine once said he was giving up abstinence for lent. The really sad thing is that some people actuallt believed him

That is SO funny - he must have had a fab sense of humour

[Andy Hamilton]

After much debating I have decided that I will give up meat for lent. For environmental reasons rather than religious. Should help get that carbon footprint down a bit.