What's up for the holidays?...

[MarkB]

Not what you would expect!

Halloween is over, the first Christmas commercials are on TV, big chain stores are already decorating for the big one at the end of the year and I'm about ready gag!

But this below made me chuckle!

In the Globe and Mail (Canada's supposedly national newspaper) today this little tidbit for something else for the holidays!

"The rise in demand for Viagra during [the Muslim festival of] Eid reflects a worldwide trend for increased Viagra sales during holiday periods and festivals," says Dr. Ahmed El Hakim, Pfizer's Middle East director of health policy and external affairs. "There are similar patterns in Christian countries over Christmas."

It seems different religous groups share a common idea for celebration

And this one from Ireland: Call me when I'm dead

Keeping the cellphone

A growing number of people in Ireland are taking their cellphones to their graves, according to the country's undertakers. The country has a tradition of people being buried with some of their favourite possessions. Families burying phones with their loved ones are encouraged to either turn them off or switch them to silent or vibration alert. "Obviously, you don't want a phone ringing inside a coffin during a funeral," said Peter Flanagan of Kirwan's funeral homes in Dublin. Another funeral director, Keith Massey, added: "Some people are superstitious and insist the phone is turned off so that if they do wake up they will have battery power when the phone is turned on again."

MarkB

[Jack]

It seems different religous groups share a common idea for celebration

But not all religious groups. Shakers, for instance, I think, would not be needing Viagra.

[MarkB]

So I guess the question is "Who's shakin' tonight?"

MarkB

[djm]

"Who's shakin' tonight?"

Well, if the cel phone is in vibrator mode .....

djm

[Lambchop]

Oh, dear! I clicked on this thinking I was going to hear about delicious recipes and holiday craft ideas . . .

[dubhlinn]

But not all religious groups. Shakers, for instance, I think, would not be needing Viagra.

Cran,
I find this statement very intriguing...care to elaborate?

Slan,
D.

[Jack]

But not all religious groups. Shakers, for instance, I think, would not be needing Viagra.

Cran,
I find this statement very intriguing...care to elaborate?

Slan,
D.

Shakers (formally known as The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, or Believers) are all celibate, so they wouldn't need Viagra. They've traditionally kept their numbers going through adoption and conversions. (Their numbers are currently declining rapidly, though--there are fewer than a dozen Believers still living and all are over 50 years of age and reside at the last remaining active Shaker village in Sabbathday Lake, Maine.)

[amar]

but why are they called shakers..?

[Tyler]

but why are they called shakers..?

Shaken, not stirred?

[Redwolf]

but why are they called shakers..?

If I remember correctly from my comparative religions class, it was a nickname stuck on them because of their tendency to tremble with religious ecstasy during worship.

Redwolf

[amar]

but why are they called shakers..?

If I remember correctly from my comparative religions class, it was a nickname stuck on them because of their tendency to tremble with religious ecstasy during worship.

Redwolf

good lord...
well, if it makes them happy..

[dubhlinn]

But not all religious groups. Shakers, for instance, I think, would not be needing Viagra.

Cran,
I find this statement very intriguing...care to elaborate?

Slan,
D.

Shakers (formally known as The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, or Believers) are all celibate, so they wouldn't need Viagra. They've traditionally kept their numbers going through adoption and conversions. (Their numbers are currently declining rapidly, though--there are fewer than a dozen Believers still living and all are over 50 years of age and reside at the last remaining active Shaker village in Sabbathday Lake, Maine.)

I've just read the Wikipedia article you took your answer from and I'm even more confused now.

If The United Society of Believers in Christs Second Appearing don't recognise him as a deity then how is he going to pull off a second coming?

Another thing I find strange - and I did not know about the celibacy issue - is what is the point in trying to repress the most primeval of human desires, procreation.
Where is the wrong in going forth and multiplying?


Exquisite furniture though.


Slan,
D.

[Jack]

I've just read the Wikipedia article you took your answer from and I'm even more confused now.

I'm actually offended that you think I took that from Wikipedia. I did not. I told you from my experience and own readings on the matter. I did not consult Wikipedia or any other source at all. I am a student of religion. I've read dozens of books on Shaker history and theology. I should know these things.

If The United Society of Believers in Christs Second Appearing don't recognise him as a deity then how is he going to pull off a second coming?

They believe(d) in the divine nature of Christ as Lord in a very similar sense that most Protestants did/do. The Wikipedia article is simply wrong (imagine that!). Some non-Shaker Christians do say, however, that they place(d) far too much significance/faith in their founder, Ann Lee (also sometimes spelled Ann Lees). I've often seen her referred to by such names as "The Divine Mother" or "Heavenly Mother," right along side Christ described in the same way but with "Father" instead of "Mother."

Where is the wrong in going forth and multiplying?

This is not the Shaker answer, but my own personal answer is that there are too many people on earth as it is now. Billions of them are starving. We do not need to create more of us.

[dubhlinn]

No offence intended Cran.

If you look at the introductory paragraph to the Wikipedia article and then to your post you will understand my assumption

Slan,
D.

[Jack]

If you look at the introductory paragraph to the Wikipedia article and then to your post you will understand my assumption

That makes me sad. Whoever wrote the article probably stole something I wrote somewhere else...it's really similar. I find myself constantly telling people about the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community because they mention Believers in connection with their furniture, and invariably think that Shakers are extinct when they're actually not, so I've posted randomly all over the place for a long time, saying basically the same thing.

*sigh*