thoughtnot

Among the things I’ll never understand are the ‘rituals” carried out by the followers of some religions. As a Christian, there are certainly certain rituals I take part in (such as communion), and for the most part they are healty. However, I just can’t fathom the acts taken by members of some religions that include self-mutilation.

Of particular note is “Ashoura Day“, a celebration that occurs around this time every year when Shiite Muslim boys and men take knives, swords, and rocks and bloody their heads to commemorate the day in 680AD when the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed was beheaded in a battle over rights to succession.

Let’s be honest… the equivalent of this would be for every Catholic male in the US to drive nails through his hands every year on Good Friday. It just doesn’t make sense that in a civilized society that people would carry out such acts. I believe in and honor my God, but I’m pretty sure this would fall under the definitions of pointless and barbaric. Couldn’t they use ketchup or something? Does anyone really think that 10-year-old boys slashing their heads with knives REALLY understand what they are doing? (I’m more inclined toward the “monkey see” theory). Do they think they will attract people to their religion with this display? I’m pissed that I have scars on my forehead from popping pimples when I was 16, let alone those I’d get from whacking it with a knife.

There are numerous examples such as this in the middle-eastern cultures, but I won’t get into them all. All I can say is that I honestly do NOT understand such behavior in modern times. Would wearing a crown of thorns on Easter make me a better Christian? I doubt it. If anything, I think it would make me look like an idiot.

###

Other than that, not much to say today. I’ve just been working a lot lately both at work, and then in my “off” time developing a web site for someone. It’s pretty much ready to go live any day now. It’s been somewhat challenging, and somewhat fun, but it has absorbed a lot of my time over the past couple of months.

I’m also ready for warm weather. I’m anxious to get out and exercise a little… walk around the ‘hood, ride my bike, and fire up the grill again. It’s not that I despise the cold weather, but I’m over it for the year.