Comments on: A Jew’s First Bacon

By: Steven

Steven — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:50:57 +0000

scOtt wrote:
“You’ll want to check that one on Snopes (it’s false).”

Regarding the notion that the nursery rhyme “ring a ring of roses” has plague references. So, I checked Snopes and apparently it is false. Sigh – which sources do I believe? I lean towards the Snopes explanation since it relies on logic and seems to have some solid references. It’s a real challenge in the information age to determine which sources are valid and which are talking out of their back passage.

By: Soitgoes

Soitgoes — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:51:01 +0000

vivian,
Finally I get to hear that there is at least one other that has never been a believer!

By: Jeff Satterley

Jeff Satterley — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:58:47 +0000

@hoverfrog:

Why aren’t Jews allowed to eat bacon? I’ve heard of it but I’ve never known why?

Jews follow all of the Old Testament laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Bacon isn't kosher because pigs don't "chew the cud" (Leviticus 11:7), i.e. they are not a ruminant. Water fauna without fins and scales also can't be eaten (such as shellfish), as well as most insects (except for some locusts). Kosher foods also have to be slaughtered and prepared according to certain rituals. Don't know much about them, though.

By: sc0tt

sc0tt — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:00:57 +0000

“The old English nursery rhyme “Ring a ring of roses” is based on the plague and contains the macabre line “Atishoo, atishoo, we all fall down (die)”.”

You’ll want to check that one on Snopes (it’s false).

By: Ross

Ross — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:28:31 +0000

Religion was never an issue in my family. Though I was baptized Methodist, we never went to church as a family. I remember church mostly as that place we dressed up for when visiting my grandparents on Sunday mornings a couple of times a year. I wasn’t ever asked about my religion until we moved to a new city in high school and all my classmates asked me what church I went to.

They were astounded to learn that I didn’t, and didn’t want to accept their offers to go to theirs either.

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:10:34 +0000

Welcome back, Linda. Good to see you again.

One morning I woke up an atheist, but he told me to be quiet so he could sleep.

LOL! Thank you, Richard! I see that you’re still making people laugh.

By: Steven

Steven — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:09:48 +0000

Jamboh writes:
“The old English nursery rhyme “Ring a ring of roses” is based on the plague and contains the macabre line “Atishoo, atishoo, we all fall down (die)”.”

Excellent, I’ve never met anyone else who is familiar with that particular aspect of a seemingly innocuous childhood rhyme. I wonder if you know some of the original plots/endings for various fairy tales? Childhood, it seems, was not for the faint of heart once upon a time.
I think my atheism is at least in part based on the realization (about 30 years ago) that the stories in the bible are no more valid than any of the Greek, Norse, or Amerindian myths that I read as a child. I still love myths and fairy tales, and even my six-year old knows they’re not real. I sometimes wonder why it’s so difficult for so many adults to realize the mythical nature of their beliefs.

By: Jamboh

Jamboh — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:01:12 +0000

People have asked why we say “bless you” when we sneeze.
The Great Plague or Black Death which decimated Europe in the middle ages was a rat-borne infection which had excessive sneezing as one of its symptoms.

This was said to have led Pope Gregory VII to coin “God Bless You” as a holy response when someone sneezes.

The old English nursery rhyme “Ring a ring of roses” is based on the plague and contains the macabre line “Atishoo, atishoo, we all fall down (die)”.

By: AxeGrrl

AxeGrrl — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:45:32 +0000

Lynx Says:

How about thanking someone more directly responsible for the meal?

Indigo Says:

“When we have food, let us not forget those who are hungry; when we are at peace, let us not forget those who are at war; and when we are together, let us not forget those who are alone.”

I really like both of those ideas

By: Indigo

Indigo — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:41:15 +0000

“We still have one vestigial habit: our kids (6 and 9) are asked to say grace (they are creative) before eating. It just feels civilized to have a formal start. Can anyone suggest an alternative secular ritual to begin the meal?”
My parents are liberal Christians and at their table we say “For food and friends and all God sends, we are truly thankful, amen.” I sometimes say it with “life” in place of God and drop the amen.
You could also go for something more solemn, like: “When we have food, let us not forget those who are hungry; when we are at peace, let us not forget those who are at war; and when we are together, let us not forget those who are alone.”