I spend my time with retired people. Some watch the news faithfully just in case the world ends and they miss it. Others, like me are content to let the world carry on without our guidance. If something momentous happens, someone here at ehMac will alert me, or more frequently, I'll hear about it on coffee row.
This week, the main topic of conversation had to do with the new requirement for the removal of face coverings at citizenship court. Support for the government's stand on this issue is unanimous.
I spoke out against the "this is a christian country" faction and found myself standing alone.
Alrighty then.
In support of the no veils argument (did you think they would stop arguing just because they are all on the same side ) several people expressed the opinion that covering one's face is not a requirement of any religion.
Hmm.
Last evening, I attended a turkey supper at the neighborhood seniors' centre. I went in my ubiquitous jeans and t-shirt. As I was exiting the cloakroom, I found myself in step with a clone of Elizabeth Taylor (ok, without the added poundage) there wasn't a hair out of place, makeup was expertly troweled on to hide every wrinkle, sparkly expensive dress, jewelry befitting a red carpet, exquisite shoes and cute little purse to match. As we strolled along, I complimented her on her appearance, and shared that in retirement, I vowed to only go to jeans appropriate events. She was shocked! But being the well-trained arm candy she obviously was, she caught her breath and then managed, "you have to dress up, it's Christmas."
We soon went our separate ways, but something bothered me about the encounter.
Back on coffee row, conversation swirls around how many cards and letters they've written and agony over those friends and relations they might have to cross off the list and sharing strategies for doing so eg. they haven't received an acknowledgement for the cards in the past 2, 3, 5, years. I share that if my friends and relatives catch me on Skype, I'll talk to them otherwise, they would rather get an email and so would I. The good ladies snipe in response, "it's Christmas, you have to send cards, and write letters to put in them."
CHRISTMAS BAKING, now there's a topic that can consume most of a morning. You'd think these elderly ladies were still feeding a threshing crew.
Being the chronic sœt disturber that I am, I suggest that maybe someone else in their family could make the shortbread this year, or, with an evil chuckle, I mention the tempting baked goods at Safeway (and we get a free bus to take us there every Wednesday) "it's Christmas, you have to do the baking."
Is there a religious requirement for any of this?
"you have to dress up, it's Christmas."
"it's Christmas, you have to send cards, and write letters to put in them."
"it's Christmas, you have to do the baking."
These folks have been programmed to maintain these traditions. Fine. But these are the same God-fearing, upstanding "Christians" who snarl and scoff about a woman's right to adhere to her family tradition of wearing a veil, while at the same time stubbornly clinging to traditions that have nothing to do with the religious requirements of their faith.
Maybe veils should be banned but many of our traditions don't make any sense either and certainly have no religious requirement even though they are strongly tied to a religious celebration.
Full disclosure: I would like to have had this discussion on coffee row, but nobody would listen. Also, I'm not religious although I firmly believe in a universal power. My faith has no dress code, nor does it require me to bake or communicate unwillingly.
This week, the main topic of conversation had to do with the new requirement for the removal of face coverings at citizenship court. Support for the government's stand on this issue is unanimous.
I spoke out against the "this is a christian country" faction and found myself standing alone.
Alrighty then.
In support of the no veils argument (did you think they would stop arguing just because they are all on the same side ) several people expressed the opinion that covering one's face is not a requirement of any religion.
Hmm.
Last evening, I attended a turkey supper at the neighborhood seniors' centre. I went in my ubiquitous jeans and t-shirt. As I was exiting the cloakroom, I found myself in step with a clone of Elizabeth Taylor (ok, without the added poundage) there wasn't a hair out of place, makeup was expertly troweled on to hide every wrinkle, sparkly expensive dress, jewelry befitting a red carpet, exquisite shoes and cute little purse to match. As we strolled along, I complimented her on her appearance, and shared that in retirement, I vowed to only go to jeans appropriate events. She was shocked! But being the well-trained arm candy she obviously was, she caught her breath and then managed, "you have to dress up, it's Christmas."
We soon went our separate ways, but something bothered me about the encounter.
Back on coffee row, conversation swirls around how many cards and letters they've written and agony over those friends and relations they might have to cross off the list and sharing strategies for doing so eg. they haven't received an acknowledgement for the cards in the past 2, 3, 5, years. I share that if my friends and relatives catch me on Skype, I'll talk to them otherwise, they would rather get an email and so would I. The good ladies snipe in response, "it's Christmas, you have to send cards, and write letters to put in them."
CHRISTMAS BAKING, now there's a topic that can consume most of a morning. You'd think these elderly ladies were still feeding a threshing crew.
Being the chronic sœt disturber that I am, I suggest that maybe someone else in their family could make the shortbread this year, or, with an evil chuckle, I mention the tempting baked goods at Safeway (and we get a free bus to take us there every Wednesday) "it's Christmas, you have to do the baking."
Is there a religious requirement for any of this?
"you have to dress up, it's Christmas."
"it's Christmas, you have to send cards, and write letters to put in them."
"it's Christmas, you have to do the baking."
These folks have been programmed to maintain these traditions. Fine. But these are the same God-fearing, upstanding "Christians" who snarl and scoff about a woman's right to adhere to her family tradition of wearing a veil, while at the same time stubbornly clinging to traditions that have nothing to do with the religious requirements of their faith.
Maybe veils should be banned but many of our traditions don't make any sense either and certainly have no religious requirement even though they are strongly tied to a religious celebration.
Full disclosure: I would like to have had this discussion on coffee row, but nobody would listen. Also, I'm not religious although I firmly believe in a universal power. My faith has no dress code, nor does it require me to bake or communicate unwillingly.