Living Car Free - Musings on a Car-Free Lent

In some traditions, Lent is a holy time of year where you give something up in order to become closer to God. Regardless of what the word God makes you think of, we can re-think this concept as one of giving something up in order to be closer to what is truly important and good in our lives.

It strikes me that a lot of car free folks are pretty good at giving things up, going without something, if that "something" doesn't bring them closer to living the kind of life they want to live.

For some folks, being good to the environment and being debt-free part of the life they want to live. For some folks, being in good physical health is part of the life they want to live.

I personally can't really give up meat for Lent (a common one, I think) because I already don't eat meat. I could see how giving up driving for Lent might work for some folks, but I am already car free. Wouldn't mean much if I gave up tobacco, alcohol or caffeine, cuz I usually don't consume those either. Now's not really a good time for me to give up eating non-local food even though food grown locally on small farms is usually wonderful, healthy, unprocessed stuff and doesn't do much harm to the environment. (It's also slim pickings at the farmers' market in terms of fruit and veggies, this time of year.)

I was thinking about what else I could give up. It occurred to me that I have a number of habits that don't serve me well. I have a habit of being afraid of what people will think when I do something they don't like, and it sometimes stops me from focusing on what's important to me. Most of us have habits, ways we've always done stuff, and we tend to assume that "this is the right way to do it because I've always done it that way".

As I was thinking about this, I've decided that I intend to give up that attitude of "this is the way I will do it because I've always done it that way", to give up being afraid and procrastinating on account of that fear, and instead take on a willingness to stick my neck out, make mistakes, do stuff that might be wrong and might attract criticism, if it'll help me get what I want.

So, are you giving up anything for Lent? Anyone giving up driving? ;) Anyone giving up anything else interesting or challenging?

I would like to give up anger for Lent. But maybe I should focus instead on being more understanding, patient and compassionate.

I wonder if it's sometimes more helpful (spiritually as well as on a practical level) to focus on "taking up" something new, rather than "giving up" something old.

A number of years ago I gave up religion for Lent and it, well, kind of stuck.

One of the best things one can do for themselves is rejecting fear. Fear is used by others to manipulate. Fear inhibits one from within. Fear is the mind killer.

A number of years ago I gave up religion for Lent and it, well, kind of stuck.

:D

I'm an atheist (more or less) but I find the concept of Lent (self-sacrifice) to be interesting and useful. I'm thinking that my first thought of something to give up (anger) is too vague and abstract. It's probably almost impossible anyway.

I might give up cookies instead.

I'm giving up eating out. I can afford to eat out for lunch pretty consistently, but it adds up to quite a bit. I'll probably estimate and donate the amount of money I save to the church.

:D

I'm an atheist (more or less) but I find the concept of Lent (self-sacrifice) to be interesting and useful. I'm thinking that my first thought of something to give up (anger) is too vague and abstract. It's probably almost impossible anyway.

I might give up cookies instead.

This is what I find interesting: if it's good for 40 days, why not 365?

I guess that's why organized religion never made much sense to me. Why all the rules and special dates. Why not just strive to be nice and be a good person?

This is what I find interesting: if it's good for 40 days, why not 365?

I guess that's why organized religion never made much sense to me. Why all the rules and special dates. Why not just strive to be nice and be a good person?

Originally Lent wasn't about giving anything up. It's original intention was self examination and becoming closer to God, as modeled by Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Typically times of seeking God and fervent prayer are accompanied by fasting... I think you can see how we got the current Lent traditions from that kind of thing.

This is what I find interesting: if it's good for 40 days, why not 365?

I guess that's why organized religion never made much sense to me. Why all the rules and special dates. Why not just strive to be nice and be a good person?

There happens to be 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, and 40 days was the length of time that Jesus spent fasting. Why not 365 days? I guess we're just not expected to suffer that much, for any number of reasons.

Say that I give up cookies--something I really enjoy. Then every time I want a cookie, but don't eat one, I'll be reminded of Jesus and Martin Luther King and other great people who sacrificed themselves. I'll know in a very small way what they went through, and maybe this identification will make me a slightly better person.

That's my secular humanist explanation. I was raised as a Unitarian, so give me a break. :D

Originally Lent wasn't about giving anything up. It's original intention was self examination and becoming closer to God, as modeled by Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Typically times of seeking God and fervent prayer are accompanied by fasting... I think you can see how we got the current Lent traditions from that kind of thing.

I should have added "As a lapsed Catholic who went through Catholic schools" :D

No, I get the point. I just think modern organized religion has made it too easy to go through the motions and lose sight of the larger picture. Most people simply do the no chocolate, no pop, no TV thing and think they are suffering. Or at least modeling the suffering. Why not sacrifice an hour a week to serve at the local homeless shelter? That's probably more in line with the idea behind lent.

No offense to anyone of course. But there is a reason I consider myself "lapsed".

I would like to give up anger for Lent. But maybe I should focus instead on being more understanding, patient and compassionate.

I wonder if it's sometimes more helpful (spiritually as well as on a practical level) to focus on "taking up" something new, rather than "giving up" something old.

I am teaching in a Catholic school as a part of my practicum, but I am not Catholic so Lent is kind of a new thing to me. I was under the impression that it was all about giving things up, but the way they are teaching it to the children is that it can be about giving things up, but can also be about taking on new habits, attitudes, activities, etc. which are more productive and healthy.

So one person might give up chocolate for Lent (that seems to be a common one among the staff at the school), but another one might opt to volunteer his/her time at a local charitable organization, thus giving up time, but taking on a kind, charitable act.

Originally Lent wasn't about giving anything up. It's original intention was self examination and becoming closer to God, as modeled by Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Typically times of seeking God and fervent prayer are accompanied by fasting... I think you can see how we got the current Lent traditions from that kind of thing.

It was originally when new converts went through their final preparation for Baptism at Easter. In time, people who wanted to renew their commitment to Christ decided to use it as a 'refresher course', as it were.

Over the years, unfortunately, a lot of legalisms have crept into it; unfortunate, but perhaps inevitable. But 'abusus non tollit usus.'

As for 'why not 365 days', that would be the counsel of perfection, but being frail mortals we can't keep it up, and trying would set us up for failure. Making a special intention for a brief period of time is all that most people can be expected to do. It is to be hoped that it would carry over into the rest of the year, but. .. . .

Why not sacrifice an hour a week to serve at the local homeless shelter? That's probably more in line with the idea behind lent.

Indeed, why not. If you think it is such a great idea, why not do it yourself? Jesus was very harsh on the Pharisees who 'bound heavy burdens on the people that they were not willing to take on themselves.'

I'm a practicing Catholic with Buddhist tendencies. Unlike others on this thread (whose opinions I respect) I find the rituals and conceits of organized religion to be useful at times. By prescribing (or rather, suggesting) a 40-day period of reflection and renewal, Church tradition encourages us to confront ourselves in a way that we probably wouldn't bother with otherwise. Virtually all other major religions do the same thing: Muslims have Ramadan, Jews have Yom Kippur, and some Zen Buddhists I know regularly participate in meditation retreats. We're all probably hard-wired to need this sort of thing from time to time.

Every year, I try to both give up a bad habit and adopt a new, better one. This year, I'm going to read scripture and then do zazen (a form of Zen meditation) at some point every day during Lent. I'm also going to give up meat; that may sound pretty ho-hum to many, but I love burgers more than most people, so it will actually entail a bit of sacrifice to do without them... I briefly considered giving up bicycling, but then decided, why give up one of the few things I do that's actually good?

Most people simply do the no chocolate, no pop, no TV thing and think they are suffering. Or at least modeling the suffering. Why not sacrifice an hour a week to serve at the local homeless shelter? That's probably more in line with the idea behind lent.


I agree that the service component is very important, but spirituality is not exclusively about service. There is also a need for "service to the self" such as contemplation, meditation and sacrifice. For me, that's the idea behind Lent, characterized by the 40 days in which Jesus withdrew from the world. Most of us are not monks, and we can't literally withdraw for 40 days. But we can make a token effort, and that's what moderate fasting and additional contemplation during Lent mean to me--a lapsed Unitarian.

I'm a practicing Catholic with Buddhist tendencies. Unlike others on this thread (whose opinions I respect) I find the rituals and conceits of organized religion to be useful at times. By prescribing (or rather, suggesting) a 40-day period of reflection and renewal, Church tradition encourages us to confront ourselves in a way that we probably wouldn't bother with otherwise. Virtually all other major religions do the same thing: Muslims have Ramadan, Jews have Yom Kippur, and some Zen Buddhists I know regularly participate in meditation retreats. We're all probably hard-wired to need this sort of thing from time to time.

Every year, I try to both give up a bad habit and adopt a new, better one. This year, I'm going to read scripture and then do zazen (a form of Zen meditation) at some point every day during Lent. I'm also going to give up meat; that may sound pretty ho-hum to many, but I love burgers more than most people, so it will actually entail a bit of sacrifice to do without them... I briefly considered giving up bicycling, but then decided, why give up one of the few things I do that's actually good?


I like the way you tied in Lent with traditions from other religions. I never realized the similarities before. And I think only a devoted monk could give up bicycling!

I like the way you tied in Lent with traditions from other religions. I never realized the similarities before. And I think only a devoted monk could give up bicycling!

Take a mythology class or two (some philosophy as well) at a local college and you will come to see the similarities in many modern and ancient religions.

:)

That's my secular humanist explanation. I was raised as a Unitarian, so give me a break. :D
Yeah, that's how I was raised too. I thought cerewa was going to ask us car-free debt free to take out a big loan to buy a hummer for 40 days to help out the economy. We could help the suffering profligate by siting in traffic and squirming to pay bills. Give up the sweet car free lifestyle for lent. That would be tough.

I should have added "As a lapsed Catholic who went through Catholic schools" :D

No, I get the point. I just think modern organized religion has made it too easy to go through the motions and lose sight of the larger picture. Most people simply do the no chocolate, no pop, no TV thing and think they are suffering. Or at least modeling the suffering. Why not sacrifice an hour a week to serve at the local homeless shelter? That's probably more in line with the idea behind lent.

No offense to anyone of course. But there is a reason I consider myself "lapsed".

Haha, doh!

I definitely see what you're saying about 'cheap suffering.' It's hard to keep things meaningful all the time, and a lot of people allow a lot traditions to be cheapened through time. No chocolate/pop/tv might be a real challenge for some people though. :p

One man's soda is another man's biking?

Haha, doh!

I definitely see what you're saying about 'cheap suffering.' It's hard to keep things meaningful all the time, and a lot of people allow a lot traditions to be cheapened through time. No chocolate/pop/tv might be a real challenge for some people though. :p

One man's soda is another man's biking?


And just so I don't offend anyone, I have no problem in whatever you believe. It just seems that modern life and modern religion makes it way too easy to lose meaning and sight of the importance of various traditions and their real significance.

This is part of why I love riding my bike and the bus-I seem to get a much more real connection to my community when I don't isolate myself. Riding the bus when someone else is using it to get to the shelter for lunch puts a real face on the suffering in our community.

Just my musings...

So, are you giving up anything for Lent? Anyone giving up driving? Anyone giving up anything else interesting or challenging?


Great thoughts from all posters! I am giving up driving for Lent this year! Can I do it? We'll see... Other things I'm doing:

1. Reading Paul Tillich, The Courage to be and taking studious notes.
2. No meat, candy, fast food
3. No recorded music
4. 1 to 3 days of fasting a week
5. Kairos
6. Interfaith
7. Attending Greek class at church.
8. Giving up the car.


Things I wont give up:
1. Smoked Gouda
2. Used books for charity event
3. TV
4. Computer
5. Guitar & Bass

I've got a whole meditation/prayer/hiking schedule worked out.

And just so I don't offend anyone, I have no problem in whatever you believe. It just seems that modern life and modern religion makes it way too easy to lose meaning and sight of the importance of various traditions and their real significance.

You are right; that is why it is all the more important to be intentional about observing the traditions--not just going through the motions, but understanding the reasons behind them, and making modifications if necessary to cause them to (as our Qaker friends put it) 'speak to our condition.'

You are right; that is why it is all the more important to be intentional about observing the traditions--not just going through the motions, but understanding the reasons behind them, and making modifications if necessary to cause them to (as our Qaker friends put it) 'speak to our condition.'
But this tradition makes no sense as I tried to point out in my post. Do regular church going catholics who get a sense of joy and community connection in church attendance give up church going for lent in order to suffer? If it makes sense for a car dependent who enjoys sitting in traffic and spewing pollution to give up his or her lifestyle for lent, wouldn't it make just as much sense for a simple liver to enter the car culture for lent?

But this tradition makes no sense as I tried to point out in my post. Do regular church going catholics who get a sense of joy and community connection in church attendance give up church going for lent in order to suffer? If it makes sense for a car dependent who enjoys sitting in traffic and spewing pollution to give up his or her lifestyle for lent, wouldn't it make just as much sense for a simple liver to enter the car culture for lent?

I don't think you are really understanding the tradition. The intent is not to mortify yourself or to deprive yourself of pleasure just for the sake of suffering. The purpose is to help you draw closer to God and to live the Christian life in a more focused and intentional manner than one does normally.

Limiting one's driving and cycling more might for some people be a good discipline because getting more exercise and taking better care of the body God gave you is a way to honor Him. For those who are already car-free or car-light, perhaps (depending on the individual) foregoing pleasure rides (as opposed to necessary errands) might be part of the discipline along with using the time for (say) extra Scripture study, or some sort of community service--bicycle related, if you like, like working in your local co-op.

I thought cerewa was going to ask us car-free debt free to take out a big loan to buy a hummer for 40 days to help out the economy.

Wow. That's hilarious. :lol: Believe me, I would never have asked you to do that. Yes, it might help the economy. But I bet it would help the economy just as much if you bought a bunch of public-transit passes and threw them in the garbage... and you could always buy transit passes and give them out for free instead.

But hey, if "being car free" is what you want to give up for Lent, there's nothin' I can do to stop ya. :cry:

But this tradition makes no sense as I tried to point out in my post. Do regular church going catholics who get a sense of joy and community connection in church attendance give up church going for lent in order to suffer? If it makes sense for a car dependent who enjoys sitting in traffic and spewing pollution to give up his or her lifestyle for lent, wouldn't it make just as much sense for a simple liver to enter the car culture for lent?

Another way to look at it is that you're giving up one thing that gives you momentary pleasure in the hopes of discovering something else that gives you truer pleasure.

A number of years ago I gave up religion for Lent and it, well, kind of stuck.

ha ha - if only the whole world could do this, perhaps peace could finally be upon us.

but oh well, life goes on.

ha ha - if only the whole world could do this, perhaps peace could finally be upon us.

but oh well, life goes on.

Really? You interrupted a completely civil discussion of a religious tenet so you could infer religion in general is the root of war? Did you really just need something to say that badly? Did you feel left out?

Really? You interrupted a completely civil discussion of a religious tenet so you could infer religion in general is the root of war? Did you really just need something to say that badly? Did you feel left out?

Whoa there. A non-believer has every right to participate in a public forum. You have to admit that religion was (and still is) a factor in many wars that have been fought throughout history. That's just something that believers have to come to terms with.

Whoa there. A non-believer has every right to participate in a public forum. You have to admit that religion was (and still is) a factor in many wars that have been fought throughout history. That's just something that believers have to come to terms with.

Yes. Tolerance is a nice thing.

Whoa there. A non-believer has every right to participate in a public forum. You have to admit that religion was (and still is) a factor in many wars that have been fought throughout history. That's just something that believers have to come to terms with.

I hear that all people would lead "a better life" if everybody was made to worship the One True God and adapt the correct lifestyle as determined by the Prophet and/or his disciples.

Whoa there. A non-believer has every right to participate in a public forum. You have to admit that religion was (and still is) a factor in many wars that have been fought throughout history. That's just something that believers have to come to terms with.

Maybe I didn't explain myself well enough. What I was saying was that we were having an extremely civil conversation about Lent. I have no problem discussing the pros and cons of religion on a public forum, and have my own beef to pick about religion in war policy. It just bothers me just as much, however, when open conversation about a fairly neutral religious practice is used as an attack on religion in general.

He likes to bike, but in his own way, and he doesn't think that anyone else should bike otherwise--or at least that is the impression I get from his other posts. Rather dogmatic and doctrinaire, isn't he?

He likes to bike, but in his own way, and he doesn't think that anyone else should bike otherwise--or at least that is the impression I get from his other posts. Rather dogmatic and doctrinaire, isn't he?

I don't know who you're talking about and I don't want to know. Let's all be careful not to start our own religious war here! :)

I don't know who you're talking about

The name is a cue.

And one is allowed to defend oneself if one is attacked.

And one is allowed to defend oneself if one is attacked.
Of course. But the difficulty in discussing religion (among other topics) is that people are awfully sensitive about it. I don't perceive it as an attack when somebody says that religions cause wars, but some people do. You never know how people are going to react when the topic is religion. that's why etiquette experts tell us not to talk about it.

I'm sorry, I know this is off topic for this thread. I'll shut up.

But this tradition makes no sense as I tried to point out in my post. Do regular church going catholics who get a sense of joy and community connection in church attendance give up church going for lent in order to suffer? If it makes sense for a car dependent who enjoys sitting in traffic and spewing pollution to give up his or her lifestyle for lent, wouldn't it make just as much sense for a simple liver to enter the car culture for lent?

I'd say you're missing the point, but I'm more than sure that you don't really miss the point at all. You just want to score a point against organized religion. I'll pray for you, you heathen MF. :p

Last minute Fat Tuesday decision: I decided to give up cookies and anger. Actually, every time I want a cookie, I'm going to try and contemplate about anger and what it means in the world and in my life.

Then I'm going to eat a big piece of cake. :D

The name is a cue.

And one is allowed to defend oneself if one is attacked.
No need for anyone to defend themselves from gratuitous personal attacks on BF.
Maybe you should read the forum guidelines about personal attacks and contemplate giving them up for lent. You'll have a "better life" for sure.

I know it's Ash Wednesday already and here I am posting on the internet but I'm thinking of giving up most of my non-essential internet use for this lent. Posting on BF will be included, unless I have a REALLY important question. :D I enjoy the mostly civil discussions but have found that too often I ignore my immediate, more challenging life and spend way to much time on the ingrossing, yet easy and often empty internet. This lent I will be a more active participant in my own life.

I'm now an agnostic but I continue to use the tradition of lent as a vehicle for self-improvement and reflection. I've actually become more observant than I was when I had faith.

If this thread continues to stray from a civil discussion of lent then it (or some of the posters) should move their argument to the Politics and Religion subforum. Lets forgive those posters who've offended us and stop with the barbs!

This is what I find interesting: if it's good for 40 days, why not 365?

I guess that's why organized religion never made much sense to me. Why all the rules and special dates. Why not just strive to be nice and be a good person?

To some degree, it's arbitrary. To some degree, religious observances might be based on things that actually make sense in relation to the weather and sun patterns at particular times of year.

I strive to be nice and be a good person all year round, but it kind of makes sense to have a concrete plan regarding a specific way of being "good" for just 40 days.

Personally I would never make a resolution to be "good" for 40 days unless I hoped that I could find it in myself to continue aftewards as well. But doing something for 40 days is less daunting than doing something forever.

If it appeals to you, try it, and if it doesn't appeal to you, don't bother.

One of the best things one can do for themselves is rejecting fear. Fear is used by others to manipulate. Fear inhibits one from within. Fear is the mind killer.

We Americans seem to have a huge problem with fear and paranoia. Perhaps this would be one of the best things to try to give up. Not watching the news would probably help. :innocent:

I'd say you're missing the point, but I'm more than sure that you don't really miss the point at all. You just want to score a point against organized religion. I'll pray for you, you heathen MF. :p

I miss the point. I'm thinking of a simple living organized religion. Our practice is meditation while biking. Clear your bad thoughts by concentrating on your breathing and/or the efficiency of your pedaling. Just relax and enjoy the feeling of motion. Move the focus of your attention from your toes slowly up your body through your lungs to your neck and head systematically eliminating any unnecessary muscle contraction. That kind of thing.

I've given up my car for lent. My first commute was Wednesday. I did drive the boys to church, though, but got my dose of "wilderness" riding a road bike home from a Church meeting at the outset of this blizzard last night!

I do think that there is something technical about how Sundays "in" Lent are not technically part of it or something, which is more grist for the mill of those who think that the temporary rules and dates &c. is another mark against it.

One of the ways I approach my faith is that if it seems to be done/thought/shared by many of the world's religions, well hey-- seems to be on the right track. Fasting is one of these things.

That's positively moderate of you Standalone.:thumb:

I'm thinking of a simple living organized religion. Our practice is meditation while biking. Clear your bad thoughts by concentrating on your breathing and/or the efficiency of your pedaling. Just relax and enjoy the feeling of motion. Move the focus of your attention from your toes slowly up your body through your lungs to your neck and head systematically eliminating any unnecessary muscle contraction. That kind of thing.
When I'm cycling, particularly on long, relaxing rides or when I'm touring, I'm able to clear my mind, pray and simply bask in the beauty of the world the Creator has given us. Riding in the rain, in snowy weather or on a long mountain climb helps to show me once again how small I am and how much God has given to us.

For me, riding a bike is often a religious experience. And there is a degree of meditation involved. But it's not about focusing on myself or my breathing; it's about focusing on God, on who he is and on what he has done.

When I'm cycling, particularly on long, relaxing rides or when I'm touring, I'm able to clear my mind, pray and simply bask in the beauty of the world the Creator has given us. Riding in the rain, in snowy weather or on a long mountain climb helps to show me once again how small I am and how much God has given to us.

For me, riding a bike is often a religious experience. And there is a degree of meditation involved. But it's not about focusing on myself or my breathing; it's about focusing on God, on who he is and on what he has done.

Just don't forget to focus a little on the road surface and other traffic! :eek:

Just don't forget to focus a little on the road surface and other traffic! :eek:

That's part of it, I think... every bump is a rosary bead, every intersection and ice patch a new yoga pose, etc... focusing on the road and the ride IS the meditation.

Heh.... and every cager a potential convert!

That's part of it, I think... every bump is a rosary bead, every intersection and ice patch a new yoga pose, etc... focusing on the road and the ride IS the meditation.

Heh.... and every cager a potential convert!

Make biking an immersive experience, complete in itself.

Really? You interrupted a completely civil discussion of a religious tenet so you could infer religion in general is the root of war? Did you really just need something to say that badly? Did you feel left out?

i have ill feeling towards religion, what else can i say? even when there's a feel-good thread about it, sorry.

the LCF forum gets extra leeway when it comes to P&R stuff (e.g. it gets to stay here), but that doesn't mean we have to hold our tongues about it, does it?

i guess i didn't know that you're only allowed to post in a thread if you agree with it..