There is a rugby match here in Limerick on Good Friday and the debate has been going on whether to allow pubs to open,well they have won and now if anyone wants to have a drink head to Limerick.I have always said that drinking is not in anyway bad,Jesus had wine at the last supper but Im not sure of this,yes we Irish are known for drinking but is this right?,welcome any coments.......
Personally I think it's just another day. But then I'm not a Catholic. In the UK, pubs are open on Good Friday (I think!) Does it really make a difference? I'm not saying alcohol is great - but like many pleasurable things, it depends how one makes use of it. That pubs should shut because of something that took place over 2000 years ago doesn't make sense to me. Sorry.
I was astonished to learn that pubs didn't normally open in Ireland on Good Friday! I thought times had changed in Ireland, but clearly not in every respect.
A couple of years ago, I was working in Dublin and was in a taxi that had the radio on. I was baffled by the silence at one point (midday?) and it turned out this was a religious thing. Same on TV. Can you imagine that? Silence on radio on TV for religious reasons!
In the interests of liberty and freedom, let people do want they want - as long as it doesn't harm others.
'Good Friday' is just an arbitrary human convention. As the earth carries on it's path around the sun, and the sun carries on it's path within our spirralling galaxy, one of billions in our universe - does it really matter that a certain bunch of stupid humans have decided that a certain point in space/time has any more relevance than any other point in space/time?
Aren't human beings are sometimes a bit silly...?
does it really matter that a certain bunch of stupid humans have decided that a certain point in space/time has any more relevance than any other point in space/time?
Aren't human beings are sometimes a bit silly...?
Do you not celebrate the birthdays of loved ones, John? Do you not wear a watch or consult a calendar? You ignore train time tables? What makes it stupid or silly, John?
Do you not celebrate the birthdays of loved ones, John? Do you not wear a watch or consult a calendar? You ignore train time tables? What makes it stupid or silly, John?
I include myself in the category of stupid silly humans...
Sorry, I didn't mean to insult anyone with that post - Of course I use a calendar / watch etc... but when it's my birthday I don't ban people from doing things they want to do just because the day might be special to me...
I include myself in the category of stupid silly humans...
🙂
Sorry, I didn't mean to insult anyone with that post - Of course I use a calendar / watch etc... but when it's my birthday I don't ban people from doing things they want to do just because the day might be special to me...
I think it would be a shame if our shared special/holy days stopped being special. Festivals like Divali, Navaratri, Wesak, and Ramadan are all going strong and bring communities together for mutual celebration and inspire them to look beyond their everyday existence.
Easter was originally a time when the goddess Eostre was celebrated, and later Christianity took over, but at least it carried on in a modified form. What happens when we stop having community-wide celebrations that are about something beyond the mundane? Are we only to be left with a sad celebration of materialism and greed every 25th of December?
I'm not sure what to think of the pubs being open. I probably do think it's a bit sad that people now seem disillusioned with their faith and less respectful, but I suppose it's not surprising if their religious leaders aren't setting the best example.
I was working in Dublin and was in a taxi that had the radio on. I was baffled by the silence at one point (midday?) and it turned out this was a religious thing. Same on TV. Can you imagine that? Silence on radio on TV for religious reasons!
Yes I can imagine it, and I would be very much in favour of it. Two minutes silence on 11th November is fine, but during World War Two we had the "Silent Minute" every night at 9pm. This was an opportunity for the whole country to unite in silent prayer/meditation- a special prayer was written for use at this time, but that was personal choice as only the Silence was broadcast on the radio.
The Silent Minute was introduced after a campaign by Wellesley Tudor Pole, an occultist who is revered by the Bahai religion because he saved the life of their prophet during the First World War. WTP was told that this daily period of national silent meditation would provide an opportunity for the people who had died in the First World War to assist us by spiritual means. Some at least of the German leadership, who were well aware of the power of the Unseen, believed that the Silent Minute had an important effect on our survival during the War.
There are two good things about silence. Firstly it is non-sectarian, you can focus on whatever your concept of God/Goddess/Spirit/etc might be, without the distraction of some droning priest imposing his own "take" on things. Secondly, even if you have no spiritual beliefs whatever, a short silence is in itself a blessed relief from the constant jabber of irritating meaningless noise to which we are subjected.
As to the Irish question, that's for the Irish to decide. I was surprised to hear they would have a match on Good Friday- if they play the match then I guess they may as well open the pubs. Personally if I was visiting a strongly Catholic or Christian country I would respect Good Friday as being their most solemn religious commemoration, even if I don't share their beliefs about it. Same way as if I was visiting a Muslim country I wouldn't order a blow-out midday meal in a restaurant while the locals were fasting for Ramadan. It's just a matter of politeness.
Incidentally, when I say "respect" its the ordinary peoples' feelings I would be respecting, not the institution of the Roman Catholic Church, which is profoundly wicked and corrupt and always has been.
I agree, if we can have a match on the day then why should pubs be closed. Every other establishment is open on good friday now also. I think it is up to the person, alot of irish of all ages still dont eat meat on good friday but that is down to the individuals choice. if pubs open on good friday and you want to show respect to your religion by not drinking, then dont go to the pub.
however the que's on the thursday for every off licence in the country for the one day the pubs are closed are ridiculous!
Yes I can imagine it, and I would be very much in favour of it. Two minutes silence on 11th November is fine, but during World War Two we had the "Silent Minute" every night at 9pm. This was an opportunity for the whole country to unite in silent prayer/meditation- a special prayer was written for use at this time, but that was personal choice as only the Silence was broadcast on the radio.
The Silent Minute was introduced after a campaign by Wellesley Tudor Pole, an occultist who is revered by the Bahai religion because he saved the life of their prophet during the First World War. WTP was told that this daily period of national silent meditation would provide an opportunity for the people who had died in the First World War to assist us by spiritual means. Some at least of the German leadership, who were well aware of the power of the Unseen, believed that the Silent Minute had an important effect on our survival during the War.
There are two good things about silence. Firstly it is non-sectarian, you can focus on whatever your concept of God/Goddess/Spirit/etc might be, without the distraction of some droning priest imposing his own "take" on things. Secondly, even if you have no spiritual beliefs whatever, a short silence is in itself a blessed relief from the constant jabber of irritating meaningless noise to which we are subjected.
Interesting - and I'm all in favour of silence occasionally (though I don't think the Irish Angelus is meant to be non-sectarian).
I find it more effective, though, to switch the radio/TV OFF if I want some silence!