Lent Redux
Lent is the 40 day period leading up to the holiest of christian sacraments; the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ ( called Easter). It is the period between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, where believers prepare for the holy sacrament by prayer, penance(confessing sins), alms-giving, atonement(religious cleansing) and self-denial(giving things up).This forty day period is also likened to the period when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil where he fasted after his baptism.
Many Christians stress the self-denial portion of the period by "Giving things up for Lent", Catholics are the worldwide leaders of this ordinance. But in recent years many persons have adopted these self deprivation theories for a greater cause. One of the most common practices is forgoing the consumption of red meats or meat in general for seafood/fish. Locally many businesses go into the business of providing these seafood alternatives throughout the period.
Naturally seafood is more expensive! This choice to give up certain foods might be more expensive, but as religious ordinances go the cost is only a blind sided factor in the decision, the religious opportunity cost of not giving up the item is greater than the surcharge attached go purchasing the item.
If this is the rationale attached to the consumption pattern that is no problem, but as long as the parties involved stay true to this reasoning. But Humans generally don't!
Here is my issue:
Many people give up things for giving things up sake, denying themselves things without an expected goal. Unlike the traditional view, these persons could be giving things up as a result of pure tradition, ignorance or the lack of the importance.
Are you giving anything up for lent?
Many Christians stress the self-denial portion of the period by "Giving things up for Lent", Catholics are the worldwide leaders of this ordinance. But in recent years many persons have adopted these self deprivation theories for a greater cause. One of the most common practices is forgoing the consumption of red meats or meat in general for seafood/fish. Locally many businesses go into the business of providing these seafood alternatives throughout the period.
Naturally seafood is more expensive! This choice to give up certain foods might be more expensive, but as religious ordinances go the cost is only a blind sided factor in the decision, the religious opportunity cost of not giving up the item is greater than the surcharge attached go purchasing the item.
If this is the rationale attached to the consumption pattern that is no problem, but as long as the parties involved stay true to this reasoning. But Humans generally don't!
Here is my issue:
Many people give up things for giving things up sake, denying themselves things without an expected goal. Unlike the traditional view, these persons could be giving things up as a result of pure tradition, ignorance or the lack of the importance.
Are you giving anything up for lent?
#CollegeECON #CEconomist #CollegeEconomist
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