What "normal" religious practice freaked you out when you first saw it?

[PapaBear]

*inspired by the religious talk on Monday's show*

For me, it was the whole "Ash Wednesday" thing.

I had quite a few Catholic friends when I grew up, but I never really knew anything about what they did in Church. My family was "Christian", but we didn't really practice much of anything. Anyway... When I was 19, and attending photography school in Pittsburgh, PA, I learned about Ash Wednesday.

I was sitting in PPG Square, and I saw all these "business type" people walking around with black smears on their foreheads. The first one I saw, was a Yuppie looking woman... Grey business suit/skirt thingy... and sensible walking shoes. I saw the ash on her head and thought, "What the fuck? She doesn't know she has that shit on her forehead?". Then I saw them in droves. It really freaked me out.

I'd see Krishnas dancing around PPG Square every weekend. Even though you would think that, seeing pale faced people in orange robes... dancing around with tambourines, and wearing Chuck Taylor high tops, would be strange... Those Yuppies with ash smears on their foreheads, looked like the craziest thing EVER!!!

[Slumbag]

When my priest put a finger in my ass.
I'd never heard of that, but apparently he did it weekly to keep me out of hell.

[A.J.]

Everything I saw when I lived in Saudi Arabia:

--prayer calls 5 times day that were blasted over loudspeakers;
--stores and restaurants shutting during prayer time;
--the Mutawain (religious police) making sure stores were closed, people were in mosques, women were properly covered, no mixing of the sexes
--Ramadan when you couldn't eat, smoke or drink in public so as not to offend the Muslims who were fasting. It was kind of the same during 'Id.

And I thought being Catholic was bad.

[Reynolds]

I had a boss at a pizza place that would fast for Ramadan. I was the only other one that worked there, and he was "too weak" to work. I had to take the order on the phone, cook the pizza, lock the door and deliver it.

[moochcassidy]

couldnt score any smoke in London when i went to visit a mate a few years back... his dealer closed shop during fuckin Ramadan. still cant believe that shite.

[Midkiff]

When my priest put a finger in my ass.
I'd never heard of that, but apparently he did it weekly to keep me out of hell.

By finger, you mean cock?

[IamPixie]

*inspired by the religious talk on Monday's show*

For me, it was the whole "Ash Wednesday" thing.


I was sitting in PPG Square, and I saw all these "business type" people walking around with black smears on their foreheads. The first one I saw, was a Yuppie looking woman... Grey business suit/skirt thingy... and sensible walking shoes. I saw the ash on her head and thought, "What the fuck? She doesn't know she has that shit on her forehead?". Then I saw them in droves. It really freaked me out.



You would not believe how many people have stopped to tell me I have dirt on my forehead during Ash Wednesday.

[Kris10]

I had a boss at a pizza place that would fast for Ramadan. I was the only other one that worked there, and he was "too weak" to work. I had to take the order on the phone, cook the pizza, lock the door and deliver it.

I'd call out sick! lol

[mendyweiss]

When I was seven days old, during the briss, the Rabbi brings out a razor blade !
I'm like, " Hey Rabbi, what did I ever do to you ? !!!

[Fat_Sunny]

Here Is What Disturbed F_S The Most:

When He Was About 12 Or 13 Or So His Catholic Neighbor "Johnny" Came Over One Day And Said "Hey, I just had my holy communion...look at all the money I got". And He Shows F_S A Box Of Bills That Looked To A Youngster Like A Million Dollars, But Was Probably $500.

Either Way, That Day F_S Was Pissed That He Had Agnostic Parents And A Box With No Money, While Johnny Had Catholic Parents And A Box FULL OF Money!

[Furtherman]

Either Way, That Day F_S Was Pissed That He Had Agnostic Parents And A Box With No Money, While Johnny Had Catholic Parents And A Box FULL OF Money!

No amount of money is worth the catholic guilt you're poisoned with for the rest of your life.

[SinA]

circumsision

right? you're all with me, right?


besides, it's the most hypocritical of all religious practices. to have the whole "the body is a temple" thing that makes it blasphemous for jews and christians to deface their body by tattoos and such, but it's alright to cut off part of your dick?

[Fat_Sunny]

circumsision

right? you're all with me, right?


besides, it's the most hypocritical of all religious practices. to have the whole "the body is a temple" thing that makes it blasphemous for jews and christians to deface their body by tattoos and such, but it's alright to cut off part of your dick?


Researchers Are Now Blaming The AIDS Epidemic In Africa On Un-Circumcized Dicks. Apparently, That Area Under The Foreskin Is A Real-Germ Magnet. F_S Is Happy That They Lopped His Off When He Was A Baby!

[IamPixie]

No amount of money is worth the catholic guilt you're poisoned with for the rest of your life.

but this guilt is what makes the sinning exciting in the first place.

[Thebazile78]

You would not believe how many people have stopped to tell me I have dirt on my forehead during Ash Wednesday.

That's why I continue to wear bangs.

[envirogator]

You would not believe how many people have stopped to tell me I have dirt on my forehead during Ash Wednesday.

I was a freshman in college the first time I had ever seen the Ash Wednesday gimmick. When I said something the guy was sure I was attempting some lame humor and basically told me to fuck off. Even when it was explained to me I thought THEY were fucking with me. Ash...on your head...in a cross...at church...AND you leave it on....c'mon....

[patsopinion]

in highschool there was a spot that me and my buddies uesto congregate before school and one day the fish club gathered around and started a prayer circle rite where we were standing.
it really looked like we were part of their gig
very aquard
we didnt move though, we went back to debating on wether or not the a's should keep giambi

[Yerdaddy]

Everything I saw when I lived in Saudi Arabia:

--prayer calls 5 times day that were blasted over loudspeakers;
--stores and restaurants shutting during prayer time;
--the Mutawain (religious police) making sure stores were closed, people were in mosques, women were properly covered, no mixing of the sexes
--Ramadan when you couldn't eat, smoke or drink in public so as not to offend the Muslims who were fasting. It was kind of the same during 'Id.

And I thought being Catholic was bad.

How about the guys with dented foreheads from praying so much?

[SatCam]

You would not believe how many people have stopped to tell me I have dirt on my forehead during Ash Wednesday.

fuckin racists...

[patsopinion]

Researchers Are Now Blaming The AIDS Epidemic In Africa On Un-Circumcized Dicks. Apparently, That Area Under The Foreskin Is A Real-Germ Magnet. F_S Is Happy That They Lopped His Off When He Was A Baby!

how bout men arent expected to be in monogamous relationships and they wash and drink water that ppl and animals poo in

how bout this is Christian propaganda and they are trying to paint non Christians as savages!
stop watching the 700 club

nothing personal f_s

[Furtherman]

There are certain Shiite groups that have their young men cut their heads with blades to learn the suffering from one of their religious icons who was beheaded. Whackos.

[PapaBear]

how bout men arent expected to be in monogamous relationships and they wash and drink water that ppl and animals poo in

how bout this is Christian propaganda and they are trying to paint non Christians as savages!
stop watching the 700 club

nothing personal f_s
What does this have to do with Christianity? Christians don't preach circumcision.

[patsopinion]

What does this have to do with Christianity? Christians don't preach circumcision.

... i thought they did
are u sure?

[PapaBear]

... i thought they did
are u sure?
It's a Jewish practice.

[Fat_Sunny]

What does this have to do with Christianity? Christians don't preach circumcision.

Exactly!

Muslims And Jews Preach Circumcision...Not Christians!

Pat, Fat's Observation On Circumcision Had All To Do With SCIENCE And Nothing To Do With Religion.

[patsopinion]

Exactly!

Muslims And Jews Preach Circumcision...Not Christians!

Pat, Fat's Observation On Circumcision Had All To Do With SCIENCE And Nothing To Do With Religion.

then i reject your science!

[Fat_Sunny]

Here Is A Link To Just One Article (Because F_S Knows You Have An Open And Inquisitive Mind)...There Are Thousands:


http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41TR2QVY3QL._SS500_.jpg

[patsopinion]

Here Is A Link To Just One Article (Because F_S Knows You Have An Open And Inquisitive Mind)...There Are Thousands:


http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41TR2QVY3QL._SS500_.jpg

the eagles?
uuuum i dont get it

[Fat_Sunny]

the eagles?
uuuum i dont get it

Whoops! Hee Hee...F_S Must Have Had In His Mouse The Prior Link He Had Cut And Pasted. That Will Teach F_S To "Preview" Posts Before Posting!! Just Be Glad It Was A Pic That Was SFW (Actually, Are The Eagles Suitable For Anything??).

Here Is The Intended Link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/23/science/23hiv.html?ex=1329886800&en=a098a0c445f75f8d&ei=5090

[Hottub]

When I was a kid we were driving down 59 in (i think) Spring Valley, maybe Monsey. There were a whole bunch of guys walking down the street with bad hair, Fedora's, and black overcoats. IN FUCKING JULY!!! it was at least 100 degrees.
That's dedication.

[zentraed]

Whoops! Hee Hee...F_S Must Have Had In His Mouse The Prior Link He Had Cut And Pasted. That Will Teach F_S To "Preview" Posts Before Posting!! Just Be Glad It Was A Pic That Was SFW (Actually, Are The Eagles Suitable For Anything??).

Here Is The Intended Link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/23/science/23hiv.html?ex=1329886800&en=a098a0c445f75f8d&ei=5090

what are the pre-1980 scientific reasons for circumcision? dr. drew on loveline likes to use penile cancer as a justification, but i gotta say, i'd like to have my foreskin back.

you guys hit on the main freak-out points for me: ash wednesday, and muslim praying. i went to a conference last year, and this guy would get out his prayer mat and pray behind the van when we stopped. the whole "god on a clock" thing is totally screwy. "you stop what you're doing in the middle of the day just to pray?"

[Fat_Sunny]

what are the pre-1980 scientific reasons for circumcision

Dude...F_S Is Done Living In The Past! All That Matters Is The NOW. And Now, If You Are An African Man Who Is Sexually Active, It Seems You Are "Safer" If You Are Circumcized.

Other Than That, There Are Pros And Cons On Both Sides Of The Argument.

[Bulldogcakes]

http://www.sf360.org/features/Jones.jpg
"HEY! WHO ELSE WANTS SOME KOOL AID? EVERYBODY GOT SOME?"

[KC2OSO]

circumsision

right? you're all with me, right?

besides, it's the most hypocritical of all religious practices. to have the whole "the body is a temple" thing that makes it blasphemous for jews and christians to deface their body by tattoos and such, but it's alright to cut off part of your dick?
Agree. Fucking barbaric. I gots mine and my son has his. If he wants to cut it off when he gets older, that's his dick not mine. He's as his maker made him for now. It's minor plastic surgery for an adult.

Meantime, taking Communion where you symbolically eat the body of Christ and then drink his blood. I've read quite a bit about the practice and I understand the symbolism but still can't quite detach the reality from the symbolism.

[Snacks]

Agree. Fucking barbaric. I gots mine and my son has his. If he wants to cut it off when he gets older, that's his dick not mine. He's as his maker made him for now. It's minor plastic surgery for an adult.

Meantime, taking Communion where you symbolically eat the body of Christ and then drink his blood. I've read quite a bit about the practice and I understand the symbolism but still can't quite detach the reality from the symbolism.

I dont know why you think that but I have an Uncle who is a DR and know someone who had it done as an adult. Its far from minor. The surgery can be one of the most excruciating painful surgeries a adult man could get. Its also extremely dangerous after the surgery. No sex for a while and its very easy to get infected because healing in that area isnt the same as other areas. Any Dr who has a brain will say its best to get it done while a baby.

[KC2OSO]

I dont know why you think that but I have an Uncle who is a DR and know someone who had it done as an adult. Its far from minor. The surgery can be one of the most excruciating painful surgeries a adult man could get. Its also extremely dangerous after the surgery. No sex for a while and its very easy to get infected because healing in that area isnt the same as other areas. Any Dr who has a brain will say its best to get it done while a baby.

OK, YOU WIN.
EVERYONE ELSE IS STUPID

NOW WHAT?
Do I have to come in for my circumcision?

[SatCam]

OK, YOU WIN.
EVERYONE ELSE IS STUPID

NOW WHAT?
Do I have to come in for my circumcision?

would you like to setup an appointment?

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/32/49/22844932.jpg

[Fat_Sunny]

would you like to setup an appointment?

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/32/49/22844932.jpg

Ouch! Nooooooooooooooo......

[Snacks]

OK, YOU WIN.
EVERYONE ELSE IS STUPID

NOW WHAT?
Do I have to come in for my circumcision?

Never said that everyone is stupid. But you said your son didnt get circumcised but if he chooses when hes an adult its a minor surgery and all I was saying its not minor.

I dont know if its safer to have a circumcision or not. But if your going to get one it should be done while your a baby. Just one of the many choices your parents make for you before you can make your own. You just hope your parents make the correct one.

[Yerdaddy]

would you like to setup an appointment?

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/32/49/22844932.jpg

I got a Jewish friend up in Montreal who had a buddy of his who wanted to marry a Jewish girl, was converting to Jewism, and was getting the old turtle-neck peeled back in the process. While he was getting it done my buddy, who at the time sold advertising for a search engine up there, had been sent to a porn convention in Vegas to sell ad space. So when he came home and visited his buddy in the hospital he was able to give him a nice card that said: "My advice is: learn to sleep on your side. Best wishes, John Wayne Bobbitt."

[hedges]

What freaked me out about Christianity is that the Vatican has trained exorcists. One of them wrote a book about his experiences. Malachi Martin.

[Crispy123]

I was in a drum circle out on the beach a few weeks ago and this freakin communist passes the J to his right, counter-clockwise!!! It totally freaked me out.

[DonInNC]

When I was seven, the neighbors took me to the local Baptisit church. It was all fire and brimstone, and the preacher was yelling at the congreagation. Scarey as hell. I went every Sunday for about six months after that.

[IamPixie]

Meantime, taking Communion where you symbolically eat the body of Christ and then drink his blood. I've read quite a bit about the practice and I understand the symbolism but still can't quite detach the reality from the symbolism.

But when else is it acceptable to drink wine on a sunday at 10 in the morning?

[KC2OSO]

Never said that everyone is stupid. But you said your son didnt get circumcised but if he chooses when hes an adult its a minor surgery and all I was saying its not minor.

I dont know if its safer to have a circumcision or not. But if your going to get one it should be done while your a baby. Just one of the many choices your parents make for you before you can make your own. You just hope your parents make the correct one.

Ok, I'll buy that. I guess I would place it in severity with a boob enhancement, face lift, or a nose job. The reason I know that is because, out of curiosity, I asked my doctor about it a few years ago.

Folks here (and Ronnie) are usually pretty skeptical when it comes to religious doctrine, pagan origins of things in everyday religion, and generally accepted bullshit that passes unquestioned as acceptable. I agree with that school of thought.

[envirogator]

But when else is it acceptable to drink wine on a sunday at 10 in the morning?

Wait.....I'm supposed to be in church for that? The stares are starting to make sense...

[SinA]

this stuff is weird (http://listverse.com/bizarre/10-weird-religious-practices/)

[KC2OSO]

this stuff is weird (http://listverse.com/bizarre/10-weird-religious-practices/)
Yes. Yes it is.

[JPMNICK]

I always thought it was weird that everyone drank out of the same wine glass at church on Sundays.