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HOLIDAYS
Total Articles:
6
Topics surrounding Mormonism and Hollidays.
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| | Easter And The Meaning Of Life
Article Archived: Friday, Mar 25, 2005, at 08:02 AM
Stored Under Topic: HOLIDAYS
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Original Author Of Article: Hellmut |  | |
The thing that is so powerful about Christianity is that it gives meaning to human suffering.
God is not only anthropomorphic but God became a human being and suffered like a human being. Greek gods are like humans and engage into human shenanigans, especially sex and the pursuit of status. They suffer defeat but the Greek story is not about invoking sympathy with divine suffering.
Any explanantion that relates human beings to their environment appeals to our emotions. I have a screen saver depicting the solar system. My children can look at the reiterating images for up to an hour. They just suck up this kind of information. I presume humans are hard wired to seek for meaning. The ability to create meaning is an evolutionary advantage because meaning is about an individuals relationship to its environment. Understanding the meaning of our existence helps us make better decisions. More importantly, if we share the same worldviews they empower us to cooperate with other individuals. That is probably why people respond emotionally to tales about meaning.
Detour/Illustration of what happens if science is interpreted without a frame of reference providing meaning: the reason why US primary and secondary education policy continues to fail is because policy makers are not having a debate about the meaning of education. Instead they are focusing narrowly on test results that do not properly reflect if learning has taken place. They are losing themselves in the details of empirical studies. These studies then justify policy decisions that are counterproductive such as wittling down the play time in Kindergarten, eliminating exercise and arts programs, and overregulating recess. Then they are surprised that the performance of underprivileged males collapses. Had the policy makers asked themselves some basic questions about the nature of childhood and education, they may have recognized the folly of such decisions. More importantly, they would have a frame of reference for the empirical work, which would have empowered them to effectively use the insights of currentresearch.)
The questions of meaning are so big that they cannot be scientifically answered. One cannot test entire worldviews because testing requires specificity. Worldviews are about the linkages, connections and the big picture. Worldviews require poetry and mythmaking. Even Carl Sagan's or Albert Einstein's work is myth making. Sagan's priorities are reason and evidence. When the evidence shifts then Sagan would presumably adjust his worldview. The Morg's priority is its property. When its cash flow and power are threatened then the Morg changes its behavior if not its worldview.
In Judeo-Christian ethics the first two commandments insist on loving God and one's neighbors. In statements of identical logical structure the neighbor substitutes for God. That indicates to me that a Christian way of life does not necessarily require a believe into the supernatural. Indeed, it is not impossible to justify Christian ethics entirely in Darwinist terms. For a religion that teaches that God became a human and suffered like us that is not a big leap to make.
| | | Christian Holidays And The Mormon Church
Article Archived: Thursday, Mar 31, 2005, at 07:45 AM
Stored Under Topic: HOLIDAYS
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Original Author Of Article: dogzilla | | |
In a private e-mail thread, Peter_Mary and I were discussing how traditionally holy Christian holidays are sort of blown off in the Mormon church, or rather, underemphasized in comparison to other religions. I never felt I ever got an acceptable answer from my dad or any church elder when I've asked about this in the past.
Every time I've ever tried to explain anything about the church to a nonmember, I always got stuck on the holidays. I can't come up with a viable and sane explanation for why Easter, for example, is barely a blip on the radar. Lent, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday -- none of those are ever discussed, nor celebrated, or even acknowledged with anything more than the typical pat answer, "We prefer to emphasize Christ's life rather than his death." That's great, but I never even knew what Lent is until I was a grownup and had a job where some other employees were Catholic.
Which doesn't explain to me why Christmas isn't too big a deal either. Sure, the Chorister picks some special songs to sing on Sunday and there might be a musical performance one evening before Dec. 25. But there's no special services for either of these holidays, nor does anything particularly of note occur during the "regular" holiday services -- unlike some other Christian religions. There's no nativity in the front yard of the churches, really nothing special about the Sunday nearest Christmas service at all. (Besides it might be a tad more crowded than usual as all the inactives' guilt kicks in, but that happens in all churches.)
Certainly, the emphasis on the materialism and the gift thing is there. I wonder if the Relief Society classes start trending toward Martha Stewart-y gift idea projects around November and December? (Spray these pine cones with silver spray paint to make festive decorations that also make great gifts! It's a good thing. )
As a kid, I always felt sort of shortchanged because all my classmates who were Catholic or Catholic-Light (Episcopalian ) got to do the egg hunts and easter baskets and all that. Not that those are Christian traditions in the first place. Is it possible the Mormons downplay Easter because its roots are so strongly dug into pagan traditions? Why would that make any sense, if one takes a look at the temple ordinances? In our family, it seemed like we weren't very consistent about a big Easter dinner -- there was a ham and everything (well, another ham, besides myself, for eating) but extended family attendance was more optional. At least at Christmas, we'd have a big dinner and sort of require anyone related to us to join.
I think the Mormon treatment of Christian holidays, or lack thereof, has a lot to do with the reasons many people believe that the Mormon church isn't a Christian religion. That, and the practice of not hanging crosses and crucifixes everywhere. (IMHO: At least we got that one right!) I don't recall seeing any special lights, decorations or trees on any LDS buildings during the holidays....
What do you think of this? What do you think are the real reasons (not just the reasons we're told) for this? Did, or do you do anything special within your families to put more emphasis on these religious holidays? Did you find that you miss the emphasis that other religions place on them, and is that as a kid or as an adult? Other random, but tangentally related, thoughts?
| | | Why I Hate Mother's Day, Mormon Style
Article Archived: Monday, May 9, 2005, at 03:22 AM
Stored Under Topic: HOLIDAYS
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Original Author Of Article: Anonymous | | |
I hate what Mormonism does to Mothers' Day. For as long as I can remember, Sacrament meeting on Mothers' Day has always featured various male speakers that extol the virtues of Motherhood and the divine nature of womanhood. This isn't necessarily a bad thing at all, but for some inexplicable reason, Mormon men can't seem to help but take it to a ridiculous level of self-deprecation and insincerity.
For example, why is it that Mormon men, when speaking on Mothers' Day, feel the need to describe their wives as "the more spiritual one" and the one who "keeps everything together"? Why do they have to speak of their wives as if they, the men, were bad little boys who stand in awe of the more dignified shadows of their mates? Why do they profess to be such bumbling, inadequate fools? Is this really true? And if it is, then what the hell is wrong with these men?
Every year, it seems to devolve into a big dumb-fest, where the men all seem to think that by making themselves out to be stupid, helpless, worthless men, they somehow elevate the status of Mother and Wife. Is this how women ought to be appreciated, by men admitting or claiming their feeble and dim position by comparison? This is like saying, "I will honor you by demonstrating that I am dumber than you." How nice.
It seems strange also that this elevation of Woman and Mother is really only universally significant once a year for Mormons. I have known many women over the years who privately voice their disgust over the hair-brained actions and opinions of husbands, Bishops, and other male leaders who refuse to listen to what women have to say (ask any woman who has had the displeasure of obtaining Ward budget funds for a youth activity). If the men in the Mormon Church really feel so stupid and humbled by the presence and influence of women, why don't they feel such deference every day of the year? The 'aw, dopey me' routine I hear on Mothers' Day comes off as completely insincere, just looking at how the church treats women all year long. Mormon men love to say how so much more spiritual and special women and mothers are, yet they cannot allow women to affect church policy beyond what insipid craft they are permitted to enjoy at Enrichment Meeting or what the choice of hymns will be next Sunday.
My sensibilities were further offended yesterday when one idiot quoted yet another idiot (paraphrasing Gordon B. Hinckley): "The man who seeks to elevate his position by abusing his wife makes a grave mistake. How could he have been born were it not for a Woman?" What the hell does that mean? Yes, men ought to be loving and kind toward their wives, but to say men ought to love their wives because it took a woman to give birth to men is a totally stupid argument! I mean, it took a man for that birth to happen as well, right? How can these people think they find wisdom in such illogical stupidity?
Why can't Mormon men just honor Mothers, and let that be it? Why do they have to pretend to be stupid, weak, and inferior? Why do they have to spend the rest of the year proving they lied on Mothers' Day? Why do they have to employ illogic to suggest that Mothers are important?
Mom, if you're reading this, I love you because you taught me that I should endeavor to be a strong, intelligent, self-assured man. I don't love you because I think I'm stupid, I love you because you taught me that I am not.
| | | Thanksgiving = Feast And Testimony Meeting
Article Archived: Thursday, Nov 24, 2005, at 11:13 AM
Stored Under Topic: HOLIDAYS
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Original Author Of Article: NEPA | | |
Ah, its that wonderful time of the year again. A time to celebrate the things for which we are thankful; a time to reflect on the year; and lots of quality time spent with TBM family members.
I do love my very large (well most of them) TBM family and theyve been, for the most part, extraordinarily understanding of my familys decision to leave TSCC. But I do dread most of the family Thanksgiving rituals.
I dont know about the rest of you, but Thanksgiving is a well orchestrated and choreographed event beginning early in the day with activities for the children such as writing stories inevitably about TSCC (what else is there?), or drawing pictures of Joseph Smith, interspersed with stories told by the adults relating close calls with adversaries, car accidents, and spilled milk. And dont forget the songs! Oh those songs. The day culminates in The Feast. But before we attack The Feast, we are treated to a round table type of meeting wherein everyone is called upon to tell everyone what he or she is thankful for this year. Sadly, this ALWAYS includes, The Restored Gospel, The True Church, The priesthood, My callings, The Prophet, The challenges Heavenly Father has given me this year (fill in the blank), Moisture, and the perennial children and sometimes adult favorite, I know the Church is True. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. And I love my mommy and daddy. In the end, it boils down tojust another run of the mill fast and testimony meeting.
When our turn comes up, our thankful for list is considerably different as it conspicuously omits all of the above and instead focuses more on our friends new and old, relationships, our marriage, health, life experiences, etc. My oldest daughter, the spiritual one in our family, may even say something having to do with religion, albeit not the right one. Although shes not religious per se, she does have many devout friends of other faiths and diverse backgrounds, so on occasion shes made comments about a Jesus Freak friend or even, oh my, a Buddhist friend. Now those were shocking for the TBMs for sure, leaving them with jaws dropped! But the things we usually share seem to be so foreign to the rest of the family that it leaves them seemingly confused and definitely speechless. It takes a moment for them to recover and get their game back when they move on to the next in line.
Were used to it by now, having gone through many such occasions, but it still can be uncomfortable. Which leads me to a couple of things Im thankful for that I cant say at the Feast and Testimony dinner, and that is we get to remind them that contrary to popular belief regarding the fate of apostates, we havent been struck down by lightning or punished for our sinful ways. That we have a great life, in fact a much BETTER life than we ever imagined as members of TSCC. And, finally, I have to admit that I take pleasure in the one time of year that we get to turn the tables on them and give them a little bit of their own exclusivity medicine and watch them squirm in their seats!
I wish one and all a great Thanksgiving. And if youre spending it in the company of your TBM relatives, I know exactly how you feel, so make the best of it and good luck.
| | | Trunk-Or-Treat Parties Ruin Halloween For The Non-Mormon Kids
Article Archived: Thursday, Sep 7, 2006, at 07:52 AM
Stored Under Topic: HOLIDAYS
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Original Author Of Article: Evelyn | | |
How about the mormon "trunk or treat" parties at Halloween? (Is this a Utah, Davis County thing, or more widespread?) They're held in the local church parking lot, usually a night or two before halloween. We usually find out we are invited if/when someone sticks a flyer on the front door the day before the party.
Instead of going trick-or-treating, ward members dress up, decorate their car trunks with Halloween themes, park in the church parking lot, and hand out candy to the kids who are brought to the parking lot by their parents.
This event was started under the guise of "safety". You know...I guess it keeps all the mo kids safe from all us evil witchy non-mo's who, of course, always hand out poisoned candy.
Because of this event, very few children come to our door trick or treating because they've already done "trunk or treat". We do not attend these events even though we are always invited. We don't want to be targeted for conversion efforts.
When we take our kids around the neighborhood trick-or-treating the traditional way, there is almost no one at home giving out candy because they already did the "trunk-or-treat" thing. Apparently everyone in the ward believes that their party is the only game in town, and a few even seem irritated that we are knocking on their door. ("Didn't you guys go to trunk-or-treat night??!") Most just black out their houses and hide for the night.
So, we wander in the freezing cold around a dark, empty neighborhood with no success. So then we climb in the car and try grandma's neighborhood, hoping for greener pastures. Same thing. No one home, no one answering their doors. The kids are tired and disappointed that they didn't get to show off their costumes to anybody. We get a pizza and rent some videos and hit the 50% off candy sales the next morning.
Back when I was a kid, all we had to do to get a good haul of candy was walk once around the block. Everyone was home, and everyone gave out candy. Now...there's nothing out there...thanks to the ward trunk-or-treat parties in our 99% LDS neighborhoods.
|  | Stupid Politically Incorrect Ward Socials
Article Archived: Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006, at 07:29 AM
Stored Under Topic: HOLIDAYS
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Original Author Of Article: Primus | | |
So this last Saturday, since my birthday was on Sunday, my wife and I got rid of the kids and went out to dinner and a movie. We had to pick up one of our kids from the church when we were done because the couple we had left him with was participating in the ward social.
The theme of the event...
"Dress like your favorite HOBO." I am not kidding. I thought it sounded stupid when they announced it last week in church. Why not just call it..."dress like you favorite homeless person, or dress like your favorite bum, or welfare cheat, or oppressed minority group." Seriously, who comes up with these ideas?
So I propose some other ward activities to show how sensitive the church is to racial, social, and other societal issues.
1. Dress up as your favorite transvestite dinner. (I wonder how that would go over)
2. Dress up as your favorite assasinated dictator dinner.
3. Dress up as your favorite oppressed minority dinner.
4. Dress up as your favorite pornstar dinner.
5. Dress up as your favorite Serial Killer dinner.
6. Dress up as your favorite currently at war with the United States Relgious Group person.
7. Dress up as your favorite abused child dinner.
8. Dress up as your favorite apostate from the church dinner. (I could come as me)
9. Dress up as your favorite Oppressed African National Person dinner.
10. Dress up as your favorite excommunicated early church leader dinner.
I don't know maybe I am just being a little too sensitive, but dressing up to celebrate homelessness and poverty (and train riding) and then gorging ourselves on food instead of actually like helping homeless people with said food seems kind of vulgar to me.
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