Comments on: That Had to Be Awkward… http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125530 Mriana Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:40:10 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125530 <blockquote>If you were the Saviour of the World, come down to Earth with a message for all humanity, you too would use the opportunity of the Sermon on the Mount to tell people to put oil on their head, because some hypocrites hypocritically refuse to put oil on their heads.</blockquote> The oil could be good for one's hair, esp if they have dry, damaged hair. Can't hurt it.

If you were the Saviour of the World, come down to Earth with a message for all humanity, you too would use the opportunity of the Sermon on the Mount to tell people to put oil on their head, because some hypocrites hypocritically refuse to put oil on their heads.

The oil could be good for one’s hair, esp if they have dry, damaged hair. Can’t hurt it.

]]> By: Steven Carr http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125397 Steven Carr Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:44:06 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125397 What I like about Christianity is the way it got rid of the empty ritualism of Judaism, and replaced it with putting oil and ash on your head. If you were the Saviour of the World, come down to Earth with a message for all humanity, you too would use the opportunity of the Sermon on the Mount to tell people to put oil on their head, because some hypocrites hypocritically refuse to put oil on their heads. What I like about Christianity is the way it got rid of the empty ritualism of Judaism, and replaced it with putting oil and ash on your head.

If you were the Saviour of the World, come down to Earth with a message for all humanity, you too would use the opportunity of the Sermon on the Mount to tell people to put oil on their head, because some hypocrites hypocritically refuse to put oil on their heads.

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125303 Mriana Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:41:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125303 I also know they sometimes laugh at their own superstitious beliefs and practices too. At least those who don't really take it seriously. I also know they sometimes laugh at their own superstitious beliefs and practices too. At least those who don’t really take it seriously.

]]> By: atheos http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125290 atheos Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:09:02 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125290 Spurs Fan, I agree in theory. However, it's one thing to laugh in someone's face - which we are not necessarily advocating - and quite another to laugh at and mock supersitious beliefs. Spurs Fan, I agree in theory. However, it’s one thing to laugh in someone’s face – which we are not necessarily advocating – and quite another to laugh at and mock supersitious beliefs.

]]> By: Spurs Fan http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125253 Spurs Fan Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:16:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125253 As much as we might find this practice odd, perhaps we should find a bit more respect in our hearts. I'll join any and all criticism of the government or religious people who try to impose their belief system on me. But in this example, there was a clear mix-up that could have been easily handled with an apology. I know this isn't very Sam Harris of me, but I'm imagining a world in which a person of faith makes as assumption about me (compare not bowing my head at an extended meal to having a smudge on the forehead), finds out I'm an atheist, and then, instead of ridiculing or making fun of me, respectfully apologizing. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't know you were an atheist. I don't agree with you, but I can now see why you didn't pray". Thoughts? As much as we might find this practice odd, perhaps we should find a bit more respect in our hearts. I’ll join any and all criticism of the government or religious people who try to impose their belief system on me. But in this example, there was a clear mix-up that could have been easily handled with an apology.

I know this isn’t very Sam Harris of me, but I’m imagining a world in which a person of faith makes as assumption about me (compare not bowing my head at an extended meal to having a smudge on the forehead), finds out I’m an atheist, and then, instead of ridiculing or making fun of me, respectfully apologizing. “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t know you were an atheist. I don’t agree with you, but I can now see why you didn’t pray”.

Thoughts?

]]> By: Vincent http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125224 Vincent Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:21:02 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125224 Remember Penn Gilett's Chiquita Banana Wednesday? Wear a banana sticker on your head instead. Remember Penn Gilett’s Chiquita Banana Wednesday? Wear a banana sticker on your head instead.

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125211 Mriana Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:17:23 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125211 Soop, it's based on the Spring equinox. Easter was once a pagan holiday incorporated by the Church and never has had a set date. It continues to be based on the celestrial movements of the sun, thus why there is no set date. Ash Wed. is a little more than 6 weeks (40 days) prior and kicks off Lent. Soop, it’s based on the Spring equinox. Easter was once a pagan holiday incorporated by the Church and never has had a set date. It continues to be based on the celestrial movements of the sun, thus why there is no set date. Ash Wed. is a little more than 6 weeks (40 days) prior and kicks off Lent.

]]> By: slut http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125202 slut Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:58:34 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125202 ROFL - Which Mel Brooks film was that in? "You've got a little <strong><em>schmutz </em></strong>on your forehead!" ROFL – Which Mel Brooks film was that in? “You’ve got a little schmutz on your forehead!”

]]> By: Soop http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125177 Soop Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:02:28 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125177 Why Wednesday though? I live in Wisconsin and we got a huge dump of snow that day. All schools were closed and many businesses too. On the way to work, I was listening to all of these cancellations and they had a whole section on Ash Wednesday ceremonies that were closed. I had to laugh out loud when one resilient church said that Ash Wednesday procedures were postponed til Thursday :D Why Wednesday though?

I live in Wisconsin and we got a huge dump of snow that day. All schools were closed and many businesses too. On the way to work, I was listening to all of these cancellations and they had a whole section on Ash Wednesday ceremonies that were closed.

I had to laugh out loud when one resilient church said that Ash Wednesday procedures were postponed til Thursday :D

]]> By: Jeff http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125139 Jeff Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:18:33 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/07/that-had-to-be-awkward/#comment-125139 For those not familiar with this strange custom, the following is right from wikipedia entry for "ash Wednesday" <blockquote>At Masses and services of worship on this day, ashes are imposed on the foreheads (or tonsure spots, in the case of some clergy) of the faithful. The priest, minister, or in some cases officiating layperson marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshiper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown. The act echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one's head to signify repentance before God (as related in the Bible). The priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes: Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return. (Latin: Memento homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.) —Genesis 3:19 Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. —Mark 1:15 Repent, and hear the good news. —Mark 1:15 </blockquote> For those not familiar with this strange custom, the following is right from wikipedia entry for “ash Wednesday”

At Masses and services of worship on this day, ashes are imposed on the foreheads (or tonsure spots, in the case of some clergy) of the faithful. The priest, minister, or in some cases officiating layperson marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshiper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown. The act echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one’s head to signify repentance before God (as related in the Bible). The priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes:

Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return. (Latin: Memento homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.)
—Genesis 3:19

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
—Mark 1:15

Repent, and hear the good news.
—Mark 1:15

]]>