GAWD! What is that big black blotch on Novakula's forehead???

[karlrschneider]

:eyes:

[edbermac]

1. Probably from Ash Wednesday...I used to be a Catholic...

Until I escaped....:hippie:

[KoKo]

2. Ash Wednesday ashes......n/t

[MADem]

16. Either that, or he's a BS'er

...and just stuck his paw in the ashtray and smudged a few ashes on his head to appear Faux-Devout!

[Walt Starr]

3. It's Ash Wednesday fer chrissakes!

[MsTryska]

9. *lmao* the way you said that just struck me as hilairous.

you know when i lived up north, the only way i'd know it was ash wednesday was because people would show up with ashes. down here int he south, zip nada nunca.


is it jsut a catholic thing?

[Walt Starr]

23. Just a Catholic thing

I know of no other religion that practices this.

Although I do know of some that advocate naked dancing on the night of Midsummer.

:evilgrin:

[MsTryska]

34. i got no problems with naked Dancing.

I could sworn when i was na Episcopalian we did it too.

But then again, what are Episcopalians but Catholic Lite, anyways?

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BOHICA06]

19. Heaven forbid you not understanding something ...

but your local Catholic or Episcopal Clergy will be glad to take the time to give you an explanation.

[MADem]

21. Spend some time in a Catholic neighborhood

...it won't seem odd--or idiotic--at all. In fact, back in the old days, it was a way of separating the wheat from the chaff...in the event you weren't sure of someone's religious affiliation.

The ashes come from the palms of Palm Sunday. The significance is the start of Lent. It's actually a rather reflective and religious day, where one contemplates the sacrifices of Jesus.

I'm hoping that those with the ashes on their foreheads are thinking about Jesus the Peacemaker, and how far we are from that concept these days.

[papau]

25. :-) Small Marist Church near Hancock Tower ran 4 500 person noon masses

It seems religion and faith - at least Episcopal/Orthodox/ and Roman Catholic - are "big" in liberal Boston!

:-)

[XNASA]

4. Must be some kind of bizarre ritual thing.

:eyes:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

13. 2 threads no less on this.

:eyes: I guess the problem is the "blot" instead of the "cross".
Very confusing. Those priests have got to get organized. :)

[Bertha Venation]

5. Am I missing something -- an inside joke maybe?

It's Ash Wednesday.

[ClintonTyree]

6. Ash Wednesday.....................

he's one of those GOOD religious folks, a model Christian.

[still_one]

12. many people don't realize he used to be Jewish

thank goodness he converted, now they can't blame the Jews for him

[buff2]

15. Don't forget......the repukes OWN God...

:hi:

[brainshrub]

7. Ash Wednesday.

[Spirochete]

8. A target?

nevermind, I didn't say that...

[Atman]

10. Ash Wednesday at the porno store, too!

I went into the porno store today to get some early Valentine's Day shopping in. Seeing the number of women there with the ash smear on their foreheads was just plain funny! I mean, they came from church to the smut house...if there was ever a time to say "God bless America," this would be it.

But I'm an atheist, so I won't.

[MADem]

14. The Mark of....

SAAAAAATAAAAN, perhaps?

http://www.danacarvey.net/satan2.wav

[BOHICA06]

17. Please make an attempt to ....

recognize some of the cultures & practices of the local inhabitants. It is rude to point and play the Ugly American :P

[Be Brave]

18. OMG! He goes to church??!!

And he doesn't burst into flames???!!!

[spanone]

20. Looks like his priest might be a Liberal.

[MADem]

22. Why, are the ashes on his forehead shaped like

...one of those NO W circles???

[ElsewheresDaughter]

33. ROFL....indeed..i've never seen ashes swatched across the entire forehead

looks like it was applied with force

[MADem]

43. I flipped over to have a look, too, I must admit

...and I've never seen them done like that EVER. It also looked like either the priest spit on his finger, or Novakula has an excessively sweaty forehead. The ashes looked jet black, and liquid!

If you stick your finger/thumb in an ashtray of dry cigarette ashes, and form a very small cross on your forehead, that's what most people end up with. It actually ends up looking like a small grey blob, not a big BLACK X across the expanse of the brow.

Perhaps the priest was marking his Novak ballot "NO!"

[MrMonk]

24. Did he go to the church in his TV makeup?

That would be the only way that you could still see the ashes.
Either that, or he's used greasepaint to replace them.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

46. hmmmmm?....good point or perhaps CNN has a priest on call?

[ultraist]

26. MANY Episcopalian churches are LIBERAL!

Evangelicals are usually Baptist or Assemblies of God churches. (Most here seem to be familiar with Catholic churches). Catholics USED to vote Democrat by a large majority.

But, yes, it IS a religious RITUAL practiced by Catholics and Episcopalians.

Rituals are an interesting component of mythology and cults. They help to reinforce one's allegiance to the dogma/rhetoric of the group.

I grew up Episcopalian, but my family attended liberal churches. I no longer attend church or practice religious rituals.

[slor]

27. OK...I need more support on my post...

about this same topic! Go to link and show me some love!

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3080433>

[livinginphotographs]

28. Don't feel bad about not knowing.

I didn't either.

I had to meet with a couple this morning, and both of them had it on their foreheads. I spent the whole time trying not to stare at it. When they left, I asked someone (who coincidentally, happened to be the only Catholic within a 100-mile radius), "What the hell was that on their foreheads?"

I never grew up in church, so my knowledge of the customs (especially Catholic customs, here in the South) are pretty limited.

[ultraist]

30. It is NOT a Southern ritual! MOST CATHOLICS LIVE UP NORTH!

[livinginphotographs]

32. Um, okay.

Not sure why you're yelling.

[ultraist]

47. The overgeneralizations about the South get really old

That said, I use caps for emphasis, not to denote yelling, but I understand that it is perceived as yelling.

[livinginphotographs]

50. I understand. That said, I live in the South.

And if you can find me a Catholic around here, I'd like to see it. In fact, the TWO (count 'em, TWO) Catholics I know and I enjoy sitting around and laughing about how they aren't any Catholics around here.

I was born in Kentucky, lived in Louisiana and Virginia, so I think I've got a pretty good cross-section of the South. With that said, I think the Baptists outnumber the Catholics around here 9-1. Hell, being Jewish is probably easier around here than being Catholic.

I hope you didn't think I was south-bashing.

[leftchick]

29. ashes

someone went a little overboard with the sign of the cross. It need not be that blatant.

[MADem]

44. I'm thinking the priest might have been trying to make a POINT

You talk the talk, Roberto, but you do not walk the walk. You need a LARGER VISUAL REMINDER than the rest of the flock.

As I said, above, I've never seen anything like that either. Who knows, perhaps Novakula skipped mass and used the cigar tray, simply to appear faux-pious!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

31. we went to Mass and recieved our ashes my kids all look like hindus.

budda bless you :7

[papau]

36. LOL :-) my forehead has a Hindu look also!

:toast:

:-)

I also chose to leave the ashes on - despite the sermon about how one does these things for ones own relationship with God - and not to have others see what you are doing.

The amazing hostility toward religion on DU has made me want to push back this year.

One more thing to regret during lENT.

Acceptance of whatever the Lord provides in this world needs to be improved in me!

:toast:

:-)

[notadmblnd]

35. he's pretending he's religious.

nt

[MsTryska]

37. the only thing that puzzles me about "that big black blotch on Novakula's

forehead" is that i thought he was Jewish?

[MsTryska]

41. Good Lord, He is a Jew. I knew i wasn't making that up.

from Ed Koch's mouth to God's ear:

"Let me cite another example: Bob Novak, a Jew by birth who converted to Catholicism and now defines himself as a "cultural Jew." "

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0204/koch_2004_02_12.php3?printer_friendly

[BOHICA06]

38. This sort of reaction to an ancient and honorable ritual ...

.... may explain the 2000, 2002, 2004 election results. If the evangelicals turn out in droves for the Repubs and moderate Christians feel this level of ridicule and encounter this level of ignorance from the enlightened, where are they to turn?

[QC]

39. Amen! n/t

[papau]

40. If some on DU were to have their way, Dems could meet in phone booth

Amazing how the moderate Christians are ridiculed by those of the Athiest faith who post on DU - as those of the Atheist faith claim prejudice against them has caused this attitude and lack of manners.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

42. indeed. & if you're a fat Catholic you're really in for a bashing

:crazy:

[papau]

48. fat old balding catholics gets special attention, eh?

that eh is my best Canadian impression!

yep - comic is another career choice where I help the world by rejecting it as a career!

It was good to go to Mass today - it really helps one to focus on what is important!

At least it does for me!

peace

:-)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

49. me too...my motto: live well , laugh often and love much

and meditate on the serenity prayer

Pax :D

[RadiDem]

45. I wanna see him self flagelate !

[MsTryska]

51. *lol* he prolly is an opus dei catholic. nt

nt