tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post356312866603725292..comments2024-03-07T14:43:21.888-08:00Comments on Whatever I want to write about: This examined lifeSriram Khéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06907731254833435446noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-45393151160558192562016-03-25T07:55:12.127-07:002016-03-25T07:55:12.127-07:00I am totally with you, Mike. I have always believ...I am totally with you, Mike. I have always believed that even the "fasting" that believers do is to pause and (a) be thankful for the luck and the privilege of having food in plenty and, (b) to remind oneself about what it means to be without food so that we can empathize with the unfortunate. To give up something like pizza during Lent is very much along these lines. But, of course, not all believers fast and even when they do it is not because they want to exercise (a) and (b). Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-17219468479822228482016-03-24T15:31:59.463-07:002016-03-24T15:31:59.463-07:00The ideas behind the Holy Week, if we are to pull ...The ideas behind the Holy Week, if we are to pull the religion from it, would be to create an understanding of sacrifice and betrayal and look to a great man (God's son, but we're trying to ignore the religion part!) for how to handle such a situation. The period of Lent, which I am once again taking part in, is meant to further enforce that idea. By giving something up that I will truly miss for several weeks, I become empathetic to those who really know what suffering is. I can understand sacrifice without reward.<br /><br />I gave up chocolate and pizza this year, so that every time I was offered or wanted to have those things I would stop and say "right, I gave those up in remembrance of a greater sacrifice". I find evidence that there is a God in the fact that I have yet to go four days in a row without being offered one of those things for free! Either way, a period of sacrifice can be therapeutic for anyone, religious or not.Mike Hothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-76122226543327864762016-03-24T06:44:49.010-07:002016-03-24T06:44:49.010-07:00Sukhino Bavantu indeed my friend. Have a happy Eas...Sukhino Bavantu indeed my friend. Have a happy Easter holiday. And when you find eggs on your Willamette walk, leave it behind for the children, will you :) Oh I forgot - its another 3 months before you can walk the walk without a raincoat :):)Rameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782192840421019943noreply@blogger.com