Mardi Gras, New Orleans style

[chevalier]

First, I know that the whole bead whoring that happens there is more of abuse than anything strictly traditional. However, a tradition of abuse has developed.

I realise it’s more characteristic of strangers rather than locals, which pretty much means people go there to practice debauchery rather than join in a local celebration.

However, the New Orleans style Mardi Gras celebration, along with the bead trade and flashing, is typically termed a Catholic tradition. This doesn’t necessarily mean any religious, possibly just cultural.

At any rate, Catholicism and flashing for beads? It isn’t always flashing breasts. The repertoire includes showing other parts, kissing, French kissing and custom choices.

Now, I’m not a bigot. I don’t think kissing puts you in hell or anything. But kissing a stranger even on the cheek is already too much for me, let alone anything more advanced. I can’t find anything to justify the flashing, either.

What I see here, is a link to ancient sacral prostitution during holiday events and nothing else.

However, there seem to be Catholics and other Christians who take part in that. They see it as normal. What gives? I mean, how can a Christian consider it normal?

 

[km112482]

chevalier:

First, I know that the whole bead whoring that happens there is more of abuse than anything strictly traditional. However, a tradition of abuse has developed.

I realise it’s more characteristic of strangers rather than locals, which pretty much means people go there to practice debauchery rather than join in a local celebration.

However, the New Orleans style Mardi Gras celebration, along with the bead trade and flashing, is typically termed a Catholic tradition. This doesn’t necessarily mean any religious, possibly just cultural.

At any rate, Catholicism and flashing for beads? It isn’t always flashing breasts. The repertoire includes showing other parts, kissing, French kissing and custom choices.

Now, I’m not a bigot. I don’t think kissing puts you in hell or anything. But kissing a stranger even on the cheek is already too much for me, let alone anything more advanced. I can’t find anything to justify the flashing, either.

What I see here, is a link to ancient sacral prostitution during holiday events and nothing else.

However, there seem to be Catholics and other Christians who take part in that. They see it as normal. What gives? I mean, how can a Christian consider it normal?

I am from Louisiana so I will give my take on this. Personally I can do without Mardi Gras, but I think that some forms of it are ok. If you are honestly going to a parade to catch beads and have fun in a unsinful way then I see no problem with it. However I do agree if you are going to flash men to get something as silly as a plastic bead, then how can any christian consider it normal. But like I said mardi gras has never been something I enjoyed. I just dont get what is so fun about jumping up and down for a bead that I will just throw away or give to someone to throw back in next years parade. But there are those who like mardi gras and I am in no way judging them. Because I dont like to go hunting, but my husband does and that is ok that is just not my think. I rather shop where as he doesnt like to, but he is ok with me doing it.

I guess if you look at Mardi Gras the way you stated above then I would agree it is sinful, and most people in New Orleans who celebrate Mardi Gras just may do all these sinful things, but there are also some who just like the parades and dont go around flashing people and sleeping with anyone they meet. That is why I wouldnt be quick to judge. And beleive me I understand where u are coming from. I just dont want everyone to think that everyone who enjoys a parade necessarily is doing all these other things you say either, but I know most are.

God Bless, Kerri

 

[chevalier]

Perhaps I was too clumsy when trying to say this, but I know not everyone does that and all… I have no problem with a carnival celebration, just with the bead trade and things people do to get beads. God bless and waiting for more.

 

[km112482]

chevalier:

Perhaps I was too clumsy when trying to say this, but I know not everyone does that and all… I have no problem with a carnival celebration, just with the bead trade and things people do to get beads. God bless and waiting for more.

I know what you mean dont worry. Maybe someone else can answer you on this though cause like I said Mardi Gras was never my thing. I just can’ t get into it.

God Bless,
Kerri

 

[Tinkerbell]

I have never been to a Mardi Gras in New Orleans but have been to several in Texas. I have never flashed or kissed anyone and have never seen it happen even though it probably does happen on a small scale. Ours parades are geared more to a family type of celebration.
New Orleans has always had a reputation of a wild party town. I went to Bourbon Street when Mardi Gras was not being celibrated and saw some really goofy, drunk, and lewd people. Some of the clubs had really good band though. I think Mardi Gras just bring out ALL the crazies.
I don’t think you can blame the Catholic Church for all the wild things that happen because thats not what the churches teaches.

 

[puzzleannie]

Mardi Gras as a term for the period of festival before the beginning of Lent has a Catholic origin but that is as far as the link exists between Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnivale in Brazil, or any other such celebration that has become a completely secular tourist event. To blame the Catholic Church for the excesses of these festivals is like blaming the Catholic Church for the excessive consumerism displayed at Christmas time because Christmas began as a Christian feast before it was corrupted to a marketing blowout.

 

[Psalm45_9]

puzzleannie:

Mardi Gras as a term for the period of festival before the beginning of Lent has a Catholic origin but that is as far as the link exists between Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnivale in Brazil, or any other such celebration that has become a completely secular tourist event. To blame the Catholic Church for the excesses of these festivals is like blaming the Catholic Church for the excessive consumerism displayed at Christmas time because Christmas began as a Christian feast before it was corrupted to a marketing blowout.

The sad thing is most people don’t even see the Mardi Gras/ Ash Wednesday correlation. That the King’s cake really stands for the end of the Epiphany season (most don’t even know what Epiphany is). That Green stands for hope, purple for penance, and Gold for the resurrection. The crowns are for Epiphany and the term Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” because everyone at all the fatty foods that were forbidden durring Lent. Or that the word Carnival means eating up meat, or something to that extent.

 

[chevalier]

That is, of course, correct, and Mardi Gras is indeed Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, and the Catholic Church cannot be blamed for any excess from her teaching which takes place during the events.

However, my concern is the way some Christians seem to be able to reconcile their beliefs with the beadwhoring.

 

[trailblazer]

I was born and raised in New Orleans. Virtually all my family is still there. When I was young and even as I grew older, it was a family event…watching the floats, watching and listening to the marching bands, and even getting some pretty trinkets. However, the parades got pretty bad, especially in the Downtown Area. So, we started going to those in the suburbs…eventually they became pretty bad as well. So, my wife and I started taking a ski vacation during that time.

I have never seen too much Christianity displayed or even considered during the celebrations; this is a shame. As far as beads, doing obsenities for anything goes against all our religious upbringing. Unfortunately, many people are only moderately “Christian” and after a few drinks loose their inhibitions and get caught up into all the evils. However, for others, its just fun to catch the beads. I used to catch them and find a needy person to give them to…to bring them a little joy.

Now I live by the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. So, I don’t think about it too much any more.

 

[Tinkerbell]

However, my concern is the way some Christians seem to be able to reconcile their beliefs with the beadwhoring.

Yes, there are good and bad people in every religion. Why don’t you go out there and try to evangalize them to become better christians.

 

[deb1]

My husband was stationed in MIssissippi for a short time. THe Mardi Gras around Biloxi seemed pretty tame. My kids loved catching the beads. King’s Cake and other tradition have a harmless basis.

The problem is that young women seem to have lost some of their self respect. I’m not certain why. In some ways women are better off then when I was young. Modern movies have women saving men and defending themselves. Self esteem is certainly taught in schools. At the same time self confidence doesn’t always equal self respect. Any woman that shows her breast for a string of cheap plastic beads is selling herself short. I am not putting all the blame on women. There is something sleazy about objectiving women to the point where you would even offer beads.

As to why Christian women and men would act in such a stupid fashion, I think that there are some people that just assume that because they have made a confession in Jesus that they will get to heaven no matter what they do. Also, many people are Christian in name only.

 

[deb1]

Tinkerbell:

However, my concern is the way some Christians seem to be able to reconcile their beliefs with the beadwhoring.

Yes, there are good and bad people in every religion. Why don’t you go out there and try to evangalize them to become better christians.

I would just stay away from New Oreleans during Mardi Gras. I doubt that most of the celebrants would be open to any evangalizing at that time.

 

[chevalier]

Yes, there are good and bad people in every religion. Why don’t you go out there and try to evangalize them to become better christians.

I was actually casting the net and hoping a defender would catch the bait, among other reasons why I posted this thread.

I remember a discussion in another forum where Christians and probably even Catholics did claim it was harmless or even reconcilable with the faith and morally neutral.