Category — Religion

Anyone who grew up in a Christian household is probably familiar with the tradition of giving something up for Lent.  In my family it was never a big deal, but each of us usually gave up something we enjoyed for those 40 days, my contribution generally being a reduction in the time I spent playing video games, or a swearing off of sugary cereals.  Despite the fact that I started losing my faith and skipping church pretty early on, I kept celebrating Lent because I recognized it as a useful exercise in self-restraint, and since it was my decision what to give up, I could use it as an excuse to curb bad habits and build new ones.

Of course, those of you who grew up in the Catholic Church might look back it on a bit differently.  I attended the United Church as a child, probably the most laid-back, de-centralized, worship-in-your-own-way version of Christianity out there.  I was never told what to give up for Lent, or even that I had to give anything up at all.  I’m guessing that for some kids in the Catholic Church (centralized, top-down, worship-as-we-say) Lent was a dreaded period where they were denied that which they desired the most, be it a toy or a favourite candy or extra time outside to play.  While I’m lucky to look back on Lent as mostly self-imposed period of personal improvement, Catholic kids may well look back on it with dread (and feel guilty for seeing it that way!).

Well, it looks like the Catholic church is trying to scare off the last of those who still practice Lent by making unreasonable demands, with certain dioceses calling for a ban on text messaging on Fridays during Lent:

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