Proxima Centauri

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Many Christians will deny themselves something and feel so very virtuous about it. Well I've just bought myself some wonderful CD's, just to celebrate because I'm rational and don't feel any need for worthless self-denial.
I've got Mozart's, 'The Magic Flute'. It's suspected that the High Priest, 'Sarastro' was meant to be Zoroaster. Well Zoroastrianism is based on faith in what's unproved like all religions. It's less irrational than Christianity though. Zoroastrianism does not assume an all-powerful god who, despite being good allows evil. In Zoroastrianism the forces of good are not strong enough yet to overcome evil. There are also plenty of hints about Freemasonry in, 'The Magic Flute'. Jack Chick would be horrified.
I've also got Schubert's, 'Die Schoene Muellerin'. It ends tragically with a babbling brook singing a consoling song to the young man who has drowned there. Well in 19th Century Europe when Schubert wrote there were still memories of Pagan Animism, so people could imagine a brook with consciousness, singing.
Now I don't believe brooks sing songs to people who have drowned there. If I did even Christians would decide I was crazy. I don't believe in an All-Loving Father who allowed his son to be tortured to death on the cross either. Its funny how Christians can't see that second one is even crazier.

Shake

Well, on Ash Wednesday, there are always some folks walking around with those ash crosses on their foreheads, and I'm always tempted to say something like, "Hey! You missed a spot when you showered today!"
Or just a simple, "Excuse me, but you've got some dirt on your face!"

Of course, that just made me realize that the old Halloween in April, aka Easter, is just around the corner. You just have to wonder how the chocolate and candy makers got in on the whole coming of spring holiday. I mean what exactly do jelly beans have to do with spring? Also, eggs and bunnies? Last I checked, rabbits were mammals and didn't lay eggs!

OK, OK, I know, eggs are supposed to symbolize new life, but it is kind of funny isn't it?

Amos

Hello Barbara, don't be confused. They are "wonderful" because we are mere rational human beings. I'd say, praise God for inspired musicians who can give us a taste of heaven while we are denied the glorious beauty of this heavenly domein.

Office Monkey

I reckon I will have steak every Friday to celebrate!

Karalora

Usually, when a holiday involves a big candy fetish, it's because it evolved from somebody's New Year celebration. In the case of Easter it was the Romans, who considered the year to start at the beginning of spring. (Halloween comes from the Celts, and Christmas/Winter Solstice comes from just about everyone else.) But in any case, a common feature of New Year celebrations around the world is the eating of sweets. It's a form of good luck mojo, hoping that kicking off the year with something sweet will bring "sweetness" throughout the year.

What do jellybeans have to do with spring? Bright colors and fruit flavors, maybe. And they are vaguely egg-shaped.

Shake

Well, I was being semi-rhetorical, Karalora, but thanks anyway!

Oooh! Hey! That means that today is the last day of Mardi Gras! Where are the beads?!?

This color scheme is inspired by traditional Mardi Gras colors. Unfortunately, this was the closest we have to gold, though. Oh, and I thought the following smilies were appropriate (even though I'm male).

Chicken Girl

Sounds like this would be a good time to buy a new vibrator.

sakrilege

Makes me wonder, what do xian Atkins advocates eat during lent?

Ab_Normal

Fish is A-OK by the Pope. (fish sticks and tater tots, tuna fish casserole... oh yeah, that brings back the memories) What does Dr. Atkins think about fish?

Infidelettante

I think I shall give up Magus for Lent.

JT