Whjy not Good Friday a secular non-drinking day?

I was disappointed to hear that the publicans got their wish to open their doors on Good Friday (and I am livid with the w*nkers at the IRFU who put the match on that day) but not for religous reasons. I think 2 days out of 365 is a small price to pay for not being able to drink, and since one of those days we head to our families drinking anyway, why not keep a day in the year where you can't buy alcohol, just to show we don't depend on it?

Yeah sure leave it up to free choice you say, but there's those out there who claim they're drinking out of free choice, but in reality have a serious life-destroying problem.

Why not have Good Friday, as well as the Christian part of it, as a national secular Non Drinking Day, with events set up in aid of addiction treatment? Nothing preachy, just alternative.

Sanjuro

How about you just choose a day where you don't drink and let those of us who want the option, have the option. If I drink on Good Friday, I drink on Good Friday. If I don't, I don't. I don't need a day enforced by other peoples' views to tell myself what sort of drinker I am.

Kevok

Whether having a day mandated to be drink free is a good idea or not, I personally am not a fan of the government legislating for it on the basis of a religious holiday.

Should they also prohibit the sale of meat on good friday or are you fine with that being personal choice? Why not go the whole hog and make attendance of the stations of the cross mandatory?

It's just not something the government should be involved in at all, in my opinion.

Dont be at yourself

That sounds like a doubleplusgood idea!

Minstrel27

Deleted User wrote: »

I think 2 days out of 365 is a small price to pay for not being able to drink

I don't drink for every one of the other 363 days of the year. Maybe for 12 of those days. This whole it's only two days off it arguement is nonsense.

I object to any such bans that do not allow me to purchase a legal product on any day of the year.

TheZohanS

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah sure leave it up to free choice you say, but there's those out there who claim they're drinking out of free choice, but in reality have a serious life-destroying problem.

Why not go the whole hog and ban the sale of cigarettes and meat/fast food?

Sanjuro is right, we should be allowed to make the decision ourselves.

super_furry

Sounds pretty preachy to me.

Black Swan

Cheers! I'll drink to that...

KerranJast

I think the OP is missing the "Friday" part of Good Friday. If there was a Good Monday-Thursday noone (bar maybe students) would care.

Dravokivich

Deleted User wrote: »

Why not have Good Friday, as well as the Christian part of it, as a national secular Non Drinking Day, with events set up in aid of addiction treatment? Nothing preachy, just alternative.

Christian part of it... as said before is for Christians to do themselves... If I was in a Muslim country, I'd understand that there's no drinking, but during Ramadan, I should not be expected to Fast.

A non drinking day for alcoholic awareness and such.... hmmm... what about those folks with the Rehab scratch cards? Don't they ever think of the guilt they might feel if it transpired they came across someone with a gambling addiction?

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

I was disappointed to hear that the publicans got their wish to open their doors on Good Friday (and I am livid with the w*nkers at the IRFU who put the match on that day) but not for religous reasons. I think 2 days out of 365 is a small price to pay for not being able to drink, and since one of those days we head to our families drinking anyway, why not keep a day in the year where you can't buy alcohol, just to show we don't depend on it?

Sure most people have big house party's good Friday anyway so pubs open or closed people will be drinking.

punchdrunk

I don't like Catholics pushing their ideals/beliefs onto everyone else in the Country,and I don't think the Government should continue to push laws that are heavily influenced by religion

Twin-go

Deleted User wrote: »

I was disappointed to hear that the publicans got their wish to open their doors on Good Friday (and I am livid with the w*nkers at the IRFU who put the match on that day) but not for religous reasons. I think 2 days out of 365 is a small price to pay for not being able to drink, and since one of those days we head to our families drinking anyway, why not keep a day in the year where you can't buy alcohol, just to show we don't depend on it?

Yeah sure leave it up to free choice you say, but there's those out there who claim they're drinking out of free choice, but in reality have a serious life-destroying problem.

Why not have Good Friday, as well as the Christian part of it, as a national secular Non Drinking Day, with events set up in aid of addiction treatment? Nothing preachy, just alternative.

Fail.

Have a day of awareness by all means like no smoking on ash wednesday. But do not force your opinion on the population. Making something illegal only serves to make certain people want it more. It creates a stigma around drinking. We need to normalise our attitudes to drink.

dvpower

Deleted User wrote: »

I was disappointed to hear that the publicans got their wish to open their doors on Good Friday (and I am livid with the w*nkers at the IRFU who put the match on that day) but not for religous reasons. I think 2 days out of 365 is a small price to pay for not being able to drink, and since one of those days we head to our families drinking anyway, why not keep a day in the year where you can't buy alcohol, just to show we don't depend on it?

Yeah sure leave it up to free choice you say, but there's those out there who claim they're drinking out of free choice, but in reality have a serious life-destroying problem.

Why not have Good Friday, as well as the Christian part of it, as a national secular Non Drinking Day, with events set up in aid of addiction treatment? Nothing preachy, just alternative.

Synopsis: I'm losing the argument for a ban on religious grounds. Let’s dress this up as something else.

AnonoBoy

We need to stop this whole 'sex before marriage' nonsense that's been going on too.

bonerm

AnonoBoy wrote: »

We need to stop this whole 'sex before marriage' nonsense that's been going on too.

Agreed. Perhaps we would adhere to it if the church could in return promise "No sex before puberty".

testicle

Deleted User wrote: »

and I am livid with the w*nkers at the IRFU who put the match on that day

It had nothing to do with the IRFU.

I don't drink most days, of my own choice. I am an adult, I am able to choose when I do and don't drink in a pub, with 2 exceptions. One of those days is the 25th of December, and the other is the Friday before first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox. Why should a group of paedophiles make my decision for me?

Rented Mule

AnonoBoy wrote: »

We need to stop this whole 'sex before marriage' nonsense that's been going on too.

Come on Anno......you know the priests are never going to give it up !!

dr.bollocko

Would somebody please get the gub'nment on the phone? I am just so goshdarn incapable of taking care of myself without it being legislated for me. It ain't no nanny state. It's a mammy state. And there's nothing better than an Irish mammy to breed a nation of gobschites who can't exist in the real world. Now when I'm sticking my mickey in these plug sockets, should it be wet first, or dry?

abouttobebanned

Years ago the Catholics said you couldn't eat meat on a friday. Then they changed that to Ash Wednesday. Catholicism has nothing to do with believing in God. It's a bunch of fat men who used to have the power of brainwashing but as every year passes their power, thankfully, diminishes.

I'm a catholic because I was born into it. I don't go to mass, I've never gone to confession, I don't get communion...because these are all things that Human Beings have decided that I must do. Who gave these "humans" power to tell me what I can and can't do, or can and can't eat and drink. This country is a good bit behind the rest of the world and the Catholic Church has a lot to do with that.

All the catholic church is, is a placebo for old people who are sick, lonely or afraid of death.

Many people believe in God and follow his teachings - be nice to each other basically. And it should be left at that. Too many people have died in the name of this "God".

And more importanly than that, I often do two gigs on a friday night and I find nothing "good" about this day that made a severe dent in my wages!!! (obviously not more important but you know what I mean )

So..we close all pubs...and what will we do instead? Go to mass and kiss the cross? No, go to a house party and get plastered. The country loses out on a day of business, people still drink and don't do anything in the least bit religous... Come on ffs...

Elenxor

AnonoBoy wrote: »

We need to stop this whole 'sex before marriage' nonsense that's been going on too.

:eek:

Blackhorse Slim

How about we ban religious ceremonies on good friday and christmas day? It's only two days a year, surely you could go without mass for two days...

zootroid

I haven't had a drink in a few weeks (I'm off it while trying to get fit), and I don't see myself having a drink for the next few weeks either. But I'd still like the option of buying a drink on Good Friday, and I don't see the logic in being told I can't.

And I absolutely can't stand the argument "going without it won't kill you", patronizing to say the least.

AnonoBoy

Elenxor wrote: »

:eek:

I know. I was shocked too when I found out it was going on.

Filthy. Absolutely filthy.


(But genuinely arousing!)

O.O

Wow.

I expected pisstaking, kinda hoped the Christy folk would suggest giving a Wake, but that......now that's anger.

Still, if you guys wanna go all Teabag...sorry Party about not being able to get completely and utterly paralytic, be my guest.

OldGoat

punchdrunk wrote: »

I don't like Catholics pushing their ideals/beliefs onto everyone else in the Country,and I don't think the Government should continue to push laws that are heavily influenced by religion

Just as a point of interest, if the Guberment were to (finally) seperate church and state would we then stand to lose those presious Holy Days off work?
Goodbye to Saint Patricks day?
Fairwell Easter weekend?
So long Christmas?
Shrove Tuesday!
OK, I know that last one is not a holiday but the principles the same. It's a religous celibration.

If you want to throw out the church/state link and drink on Good Fridays then are you prepaired to give up the Holy days - like Good Friday?
No more chocolate eggs n' bunnies and sparkly tinsely trees n' pancakes?

Noopti

Deleted User wrote: »

O.O

Wow.

I expected pisstaking, kinda hoped the Christy folk would suggest giving a Wake, but that......now that's anger.

Still, if you guys wanna go all Teabag...sorry Party about not being able to get completely and utterly paralytic, be my guest.

What in God's name, are you on about?

Noopti

OldGoat wrote: »

Just as a point of interest, if the Guberment were to (finally) seperate church and state would we then stand to lose those presious Holy Days off work?
Goodbye to Saint Patricks day?
Fairwell Easter weekend?
So long Christmas?
Shrove Tuesday!
OK, I know that last one is not a holiday but the principles the same. It's a religous celibration.

If you want to throw out the church/state link and drink on Good Fridays then are you prepaired to give up the Holy days - like Good Friday?
No more chocolate eggs n' bunnies and sparkly tinsely trees n' pancakes?

They are public holidays. Good Friday is a Holy day only, and as such you are not entitled to be off work on that day, it is down to your company whether you have to work or not.

Dravokivich

OldGoat wrote: »

Just as a point of interest, if the Guberment were to (finally) seperate church and state would we then stand to lose those presious Holy Days off work?
Goodbye to Saint Patricks day?
Fairwell Easter weekend?
So long Christmas?
Shrove Tuesday!
OK, I know that last one is not a holiday but the principles the same. It's a religous celibration.

If you want to throw out the church/state link and drink on Good Fridays then are you prepaired to give up the Holy days - like Good Friday?
No more chocolate eggs n' bunnies and sparkly tinsely trees n' pancakes?

There is a slight difference with some of these holidays you listed...

Saint Patricks day <-- is a public/bank holiday, we don't get it off as a result of the Catholic celebration/connection. It that were the case then every date dedicated to a saint would be a public / bank holiday.

Good Friday <-- Is a religious holiday. It's not a public / bank holiday. If your company decide to give you the day off for it, lucky for you.

In regards to Christmas... I think Ireland is possibly the only country that regards it as an obligatory public / bank holiday. Why? wouldn't be so sure... but alot of our public holidays are geared towards the times of the year we would of traditionally held festivals prior to Catholicism. Christmas included... So my guess for quite alot of them would be more so that tradition...

AnonoBoy

OldGoat wrote: »

Just as a point of interest, if the Guberment were to (finally) seperate church and state would we then stand to lose those presious Holy Days off work?

I don't get Holy Days off work. Damn it. Do you?

Goodbye to Saint Patricks day?
Fairwell Easter weekend?
So long Christmas?

Nah - they're all bank holidays. They'd stay, wouldn't they?

Shrove Tuesday!
OK, I know that last one is not a holiday but the principles the same. It's a religous celibration.

That's a pancake celebration. Some people do worship pancakes though.

If you want to throw out the church/state link and drink on Good Fridays then are you prepaired to give up the Holy days - like Good Friday?

I work on Good Fridays. Does everyone else get it off?

Squiggle

Noopti wrote: »

They are public holidays. Good Friday is a Holy day only

It's not even that either !

WindSock

I like Good Friday. It's part of our culture and national psyche to go mental on the Thursday in the scramble to buy as much alcohol as we can afford.

super_furry

Yeah, in one sense I'd miss Good Friday if the pubs were open. The best parties always happen on Good Friday.

rubadub

OldGoat wrote: »

Just as a point of interest, if the Guberment were to (finally) seperate church and state would we then stand to lose those presious Holy Days off work?
Goodbye to Saint Patricks day?
Fairwell Easter weekend?
So long Christmas?
Shrove Tuesday!
OK, I know that last one is not a holiday but the principles the same. It's a religous celibration.

If you want to throw out the church/state link and drink on Good Fridays then are you prepaired to give up the Holy days - like Good Friday?
No more chocolate eggs n' bunnies and sparkly tinsely trees n' pancakes?

I eat chocolate all the time, and make pancakes at least twice a week nothing to do with some imaginary conman. Awful waste of trees too. I would welcome scrapping those religious connections to those public holidays, they would just assign the public holidays to other days.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays-in-ireland

* New Year's Day (1 January)
* St. Patrick's Day (17 March)
* Easter Monday
* First Monday in May, June, August
* Last Monday in October
* Christmas Day (25 December)
* St. Stephen's Day (26 December)

new years days fair enough. Patricks day can land on any old day, I would welcome a friday or monday off. I do not like the 25/26 dec either, would perfer a more even split throughout the year they are too close to new years, I would prefer another in july.

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I work on Good Fridays. Does everyone else get it off?

I am forced to take it off most years, drives me mad. I remember some foreign workers in my place couldn't believe it, they had planned out all their holidays for the entire year and then were told they were being forced to take this too. I also forced to take 4-5 days of my legally entitled holidays around his birthday.

AnonoBoy wrote: »

We need to stop this whole 'sex before marriage' nonsense that's been going on too.

Many young people probably do not even know condoms were illegal to sell here up to 1978.

MayoForSam

I met my good lady wife at a Good Friday house party where we consumed 3 times the amount of alcohol you would normally consume on a Friday. At the end of the night, I vaguely remember crawling out the door to go home but we're still together over 10 years later. I must have made some sort of impression.

Removing the Good Friday pubs ban would mean no more house parties and that would be a shame. I would never have met my missus!!

This thread is making me think of plannin a house party next friday..

And Op, what the fuk are you on about.

positron

OP makes it sound as if we all drink at the local every single day!

Abstaining from anything in the name of a religious thing is just stupid. Look at the muslims fasting for ramadan - they don't drink or eat from sunrise to sunset, and they are supposed to help others with the food and money saved. But in reality, they just have a feast from sunset to sunrise, special parties and everything else, by end of the ramadan season, majority of them gain weight, rather than losing weight!

Easter Friday is the same here - more people more intoxicated than a normal Friday.