Athiest giving up things for lent

[Anonymous]

My atheist boyfriend, who thinks Christianity is stupid, just seriously told me what he was giving up for lent. He sees nothing wrong with including himself in this tradition. Why is this pissing me off??R

[Anonymous]

I'm convinced that atheists are not athetists, but rather agnostic at heart.

Your boyfriend just might be a cultural Christian.

[Anonymous]

I like the term cultural Christian. Is it similar to fashionable Christian for church goers?

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist who usually makes sacrifices for Lent. It's definitely not because I secretly believe in some higher power. I just think the concept of making self-sacrifice periodically is a good practice to make me better appreciate what I have in life. Sort of like a periodic fast. There's no particular reason I do it at Lent season -- probably because Lent's just when I started thinking about this idea 15-20 years ago when I first started doing this. I tried following basic Ramadan rules a couple times, for the same reason, but that's really hard.

I usually give up booze or various food groups, but in years when I'm feeling motivated, I vow to do affirmative things like exercise or do work for causes I support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an atheist who usually makes sacrifices for Lent. It's definitely not because I secretly believe in some higher power. I just think the concept of making self-sacrifice periodically is a good practice to make me better appreciate what I have in life. Sort of like a periodic fast. There's no particular reason I do it at Lent season -- probably because Lent's just when I started thinking about this idea 15-20 years ago when I first started doing this. I tried following basic Ramadan rules a couple times, for the same reason, but that's really hard.

I usually give up booze or various food groups, but in years when I'm feeling motivated, I vow to do affirmative things like exercise or do work for causes I support.

See people can be good without being religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the term cultural Christian. Is it similar to fashionable Christian for church goers?

It's like being a secular Jew, only with Easter candy.

[Anonymous]

But would you mock jews then go to their temple to pray?

[Anonymous]

12:42, wha?

"Cultural Christian" is a take off on "Cultural Jew." To really make it work, I think you'd need to add more descriptors, like "Cultural WASP." Then you could embrace white bread, mayo, and that kind of thing and feel an identity with you churchgoing peers.

[Anonymous]

I am reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllyyyyy sorry I said I am giving up bacon and sausage for lent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllyyyyy sorry I said I am giving up bacon and sausage for lent.

Are you still having ham? I think ham would help you through this tough period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllyyyyy sorry I said I am giving up bacon and sausage for lent.

Are you still having ham? I think ham would help you through this tough period.

i couldnt give up ham

[Anonymous]

if he actually thinks christianity is stupid, he's stupid for observing Lent. sorry, but it's true. I'm an agnostic Episcopalian and I give up stuff, but I don't have issues with my religion - I'm just not terribly devout in my churchgoing. (so i'm your typical C&E WASP.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if he actually thinks christianity is stupid, he's stupid for observing Lent. sorry, but it's true. I'm an agnostic Episcopalian and I give up stuff, but I don't have issues with my religion - I'm just not terribly devout in my churchgoing. (so i'm your typical C&E WASP.)

Agnostics are part of a religion and go to church? I thought religion and church are for those who believe not those who aren't sure. Is it a backup plan if atheism doesn't work?

[Anonymous]

If your boyfriend mocks Christianity and then yet participates in lent, he's probably the best example of being a hater, known to mankind!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm convinced that atheists are not athetists, but rather agnostic at heart.

You'd be wrong about that, then.