I am from the caribbean and annually and we are famous for an event called Carnival.It is a wonderful time of year where soca and calypso songs are played.Steel pan music is in the air and people dress in their costumes and so forth.However some events are really vulgar.Nakedness in the costumes and violence are the negatives that come out of it. Some people (MOST RELIGIONS)have their negatives towards carnival but i think its an event that brings out the culture and illustrates to others that this is who we are ,and where we came from (African Heritage) especially the jouvert event.The true meaning of carnival has been transformed into something paganistic when it was not oriented to be like that.
I want to know what you think and your opinion in celebrating Carnival.
2006-08-13 04:44:32 · 12 answers · asked by Avernell C 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Can Carnival be celebrated without the vulgar stuff? I don't see why nakedness and violence is a celebration of African Heritage (to use words from your statement).
If you think it's wrong, then for you it's wrong. If you think it's right, then for you it's fine. Just don't try to make everyone participate in something that celebrates your heritage or religion, or culture, etc. and I won't try to make you participate in mine.
2006-08-13 12:43:56 · answer #1 · answered by midlandsharon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Carnival or Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is the last big party before Christians start Lent (40 days of fasting and prayer) on Ash Wednesday leading up to Easter.
As you note, all celebrating should be done with moderation and respect.
Unfortunately most people even forget what happens after Carnival is over.
Popular culture consistently tries to "steal" holy days and make them secular holidays.
This also happens with Christmas, Easter, Halloween (the eve of All Saints Day), St. Valentine's Day, and St. Patrick's day.
It is an ongoing effort to keep God and faith involved in these holy days.
With love in Christ.
2006-08-19 19:06:34 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no problem with Carnival/ Mardi Gras. The whole point of the celebration was, back in medieval times you were not allowed to eat red meat during Lent. So they had all this red meat stored up and had to get rid of it, why not have a party to go along with it? The Church never really endorsed it, but decided that they would never really rid everyone of their "pagan ways", so the Church let them have their fun as long as it stopped on Ash Wednesday and everyone repented for Lent.
2006-08-14 16:55:38 · answer #3 · answered by ravencadwell 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Carnival is part of Caribbean culture as well other parts of the world. It is a time of fun, festival and revelry. It is a time to be celebrated and enjoyed, from Trinidad to Rio to New Orleans.
2006-08-13 06:42:23 · answer #4 · answered by ridingdragon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
man how i envy you. i would give almost anything to be able to celebrate carnival in the caribbean, especially "bon bini" in aruba, or even carnival in trinidad/tobago. like you, i dont know what the bid deal is. it is your equivilant to our "mardi gras". i love the steel pan music, as a matter of fact, when we were in aruba in july, i finally got to make one of my lifelong dreams a reality, i got to hear, and see them play the pans, i was so overjoyed with them, that i actually broke down and cried like a little girl at realizing one of my dreams had actually come true.
but i digress, back to your topic, i agree that most religions see it as something "paganistic", but they see "mardi gras" here as being "of the devil" because it doesnt fit in with their "norms". which i find very hypocritical for the simple fact is, i cant tell you how many of them preach about "liquor and drinking being a sin and of the devil", but park your car in front of any liquor store in my town and watch the people go in and out wearing "jesus" pins and buttons.
2006-08-13 09:23:42 · answer #5 · answered by daddysboicub 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most religions very purposely don't want people happy. Happy people have a tendency to forget to give their tithe to the chuch. So, of course religions are against carnival and Mardi Gras. Happy people aren't thinking about the church. I see nothing wrong with it, though.
2006-08-13 04:48:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
As long as no one gets hurt, enjoy Carnival.
2006-08-21 02:46:05 · answer #7 · answered by Ana 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The purpose of religion is to manipulate the lives and mentality of people, and to separate them from their money. Why care anything about religion. It is the prevalent cause of misery, suffering, and destruction in the world (running in tandem with greed, which it also envelopes).
The world would be a peaceful and harmonious place in the absence of religion. Enjoying celebrating. Enjoy life. Why give in to myth, delusion, and fantasy?
2006-08-13 04:51:47 · answer #8 · answered by sochiswim 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Celebrate carnival and then embrace Lent.
2006-08-13 09:03:26 · answer #9 · answered by lona b 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
freedom to do what you enjoy...thats why youre alive...to experience everything life has to offer....as for religion...thats your choosing...dont let anyone else dictate what you may want to experience...especially churches....they have theyre own guidelines....and their set by man...not from above....true christianity is accepting of everyones beliefs no matter where they come from....so have fun...you only have one go-round in life...experience all you can find
2006-08-20 13:06:24 · answer #10 · answered by spike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋