Why do you celebrate St. Patricks Day?

philologos · 17-03-2012 07:37PM #1

This is a question that has been on my mind today that I thought I'd ask some of the people in AH about.

Mods. This is simply out of curiosity, and it would be best if it were left in AH because I am seeking general opinion on this subject.

St. Patrick historically was one of the key figures in bringing Christianity into what was then pagan Ireland.

I'm just wondering what is the purpose of St. Patrick's Day is or is supposed to be in 2012 and why you think this is the case. Is it about St. Patrick or what he ever achieved in life, or is it about something else? If in the event that it is about something else is it reasonable that we call it St. Patrick's Day anymore in 2012?

Genuinely curious to hear some of your opinions on this.

Fluorescence · 17-03-2012 07:39PM

philologos wrote: »

This is a question that has been on my mind today that I thought I'd ask some of the people in AH about.

Mods. This is simply out of curiosity, and it would be best if it were left in AH because I am seeking general opinion on this subject.

St. Patrick historically was one of the key figures in bringing Christianity into what was then pagan Ireland.

I'm just wondering what is the purpose of St. Patrick's Day is or is supposed to be in 2012 and why you think this is the case. Is it about St. Patrick or what he ever achieved in life, or is it about something else? If in the event that it is about something else is it reasonable that we call it St. Patrick's Day anymore in 2012?

Genuinely curious to hear some of your opinions on this.

At this stage it's mostly just a celebration of Irish culture moreso than St Patrick himself (like an Irish 4th of July). That said, there's still lots of people who celebrate it as a holy day - mostly older folk though.

Skylinehead · 17-03-2012 07:40PM

philologos wrote: »

St. Patrick historically was one of the key figures in bringing Christianity into what was then pagan Ireland.

Not that anyway :pac:

44leto · 17-03-2012 07:40PM

Because the Irish emigrants in America celebrated it then that came back here.

Bubs99 · 17-03-2012 07:53PM

We celebrate St. Patricks Day because of what he did (or so they say) and because he is the Patron Saint of our country.

Sunnyisland · 17-03-2012 07:57PM

Its a part of our history & folklore and imo should be celebrated enthusiastically by all Irish people everywhere, Not many countries have a day that is so well know around the world of there own to celebrate like Ireland does.

philologos · 17-03-2012 07:59PM

realies wrote: »

Its a part of our history & folklore and imo should be celebrated enthusiastically by all Irish people everywhere, Not many countries have a day that is so well know around the world of there own to celebrate like Ireland does.

What is a part of the history and folklore, and what should be celebrated? (St. Patrick bringing Christianity into Ireland or something else?)

Sisko · 17-03-2012 08:00PM

Its basically "Ireland Day" as far as most people are concerned.

Myself and many other people generally don't see it as a religious day any more but more of a celebration of Irishness.

Ellis Dee · 17-03-2012 08:02PM

philologos wrote: »

This is a question that has been on my mind today that I thought I'd ask some of the people in AH about.

Mods. This is simply out of curiosity, and it would be best if it were left in AH because I am seeking general opinion on this subject.

Probably not the best place to ask people about anything serious, but you never know.;)

philologos wrote: »

St. Patrick historically was one of the key figures in bringing Christianity into what was then pagan Ireland.

Or so they say anyway, but those accounts are very questionable and open to different interpretations. Rather like the so-called scripture, which is a jumble of hashed and re-hashed stories that have been carefully edited and spun for power-political reasons, but which some eejits take as literal, precise fact and actually consider to be a direct message from our invisible, all-knowing and all-controlling friend the sky fairy.:rolleyes: Whether or not bringing an alien belief system, one largely formulated by Middle Eastern goat-herders, into this country was a good thing is likewise a big question. I have read somewhere that the druidic belief system that existed earlier were more in harmony with nature than Christianity. The advent of the alien religion also meant the de facto enslavement for the best part of two millennia of women, who had been the priests and healers before the new religion arrived.

philologos wrote: »

I'm just wondering what is the purpose of St. Patrick's Day is or is supposed to be in 2012 and why you think this is the case. Is it about St. Patrick or what he ever achieved in life, or is it about something else? If in the event that it is about something else is it reasonable that we call it St. Patrick's Day anymore in 2012?

IMO, it has a religious dimension for some old and old-fashioned people, but for most it's a day to have fun, socialise, get pissed ... We might as well call it St. Patrick's Day, as that's what we have been used to for a long time and who could think of anything else that would catch on any time soon? Unless those scholars in Cambridge are correct and we eventually get used to calling it Slave Trader Day.:pac::pac:

pragmatic1 · 17-03-2012 08:03PM

An excuse to get pissed and be patriotic.

mattjack · 17-03-2012 08:04PM

I celebrate it because I'm not allowed celebrate three Christmas days,what was the first question again Miss ?

humberklog · 17-03-2012 08:04PM

Bubs99 wrote: »

We celebrate St. Patricks Day because of what he did (or so they say) and because he is the Patron Saint of our country.

What's this "we" business Bubs? I know I don't celebrate it for any reasons to do with St. Patrick and I don't know anyone who does. I'm sure there are some that do but they're not in my bunch of "we".

In much the same way I celebrate christmas: it has nothing to do with Jesus for me.

It's just a handy peg to put the coat on so I can have a celebration.

17-03-2012 08:05PM

i dont really celebrate it

glad for an extra day off though

Coriolanus · 17-03-2012 08:11PM

I don't. I don't agree with its original purpose, or its contemporary one.

Sunnyisland · 17-03-2012 08:11PM

philologos wrote: »

What is a part of the history and folklore, and what should be celebrated? (St. Patrick bringing Christianity into Ireland or something else?)

The history for me is what I was taught in school about St patrick and how he brought christianity to Ireland and the folklore would be that story about how he drove all the snakes out from Ireland,:rolleyes: For me its just a celebration of being Irish and for a day the small country of Ireland is in the news worldwide for a happy reason and everyone can be Irish for the day if they so wish:)

philologos · 17-03-2012 08:13PM

Sisko wrote: »

Its basically "Ireland Day" as far as most people are concerned.

Myself and many other people generally don't see it as a religious day any more but more of a celebration of Irishness.

Fair enough, but that kind of makes me wonder what specifically about being Irish is worth celebrating. Why should I be thankful that I was Irish, over being Polish or Botwsanan for example.

Ellis Dee wrote: »

Probably not the best place to ask people about anything serious, but you never know.;)

Let's give it a try.

Ellis Dee wrote: »

Or so they say anyway, but those accounts are very questionable and open to different interpretations. Rather like the so-called scripture, which is a jumble of hashed and re-hashed stories that have been carefully edited and spun for power-political reasons, but which some eejits take as literal, precise fact and actually consider to be a direct message from our invisible, all-knowing and all-controlling friend the sky fairy.:rolleyes: Whether or not bringing an alien belief system, one largely formulated by Middle Eastern goat-herders, into this country was a good thing is likewise a big question. I have read somewhere that the druidic belief system that existed earlier were more in harmony with nature than Christianity. The advent of the alien religion also meant the de facto enslavement for the best part of two millennia of women, who had been the priests and healers before the new religion arrived.

We have documents written by St. Patrick himself such as his Confessions. Here's a Wikipedia entry on what he wrote.

I'm more than happy to discuss whether or not bringing the Christian Gospel into the country was a good thing, but the moderators mightn't be the most pleased.

Your claims about the Bible being a fumbled together work, simply do not match up with what evidence we have on the basis of the New and Old Testament manuscripts.

Ellis Dee wrote: »

IMO, it has a religious dimension for some old and old-fashioned people, but for most it's a day to have fun, socialise, get pissed ... We might as well call it St. Patrick's Day, as that's what we have been used to for a long time and who could think of anything else that would catch on any time soon? Unless those scholars in Cambridge are correct and we eventually get used to calling it Slave Trader Day.:pac::pac:

The question is why do we call it St. Patrick's Day rather than a drink because I'm Irish day. Not that I'm opposed to people having a pint or two, or enjoying themselves, but it's valid to ask what's the point in it and why do we call it the way we do.

jokettle · 17-03-2012 08:15PM

I celebrate the extra day off work.

Gummy Panda · 17-03-2012 08:18PM

I hate it. It's drunk teenager in barely any clothes day

jokettle · 17-03-2012 08:22PM

Gummy Panda wrote: »

I hate it. It's drunk teenager in barely any clothes day

Barely any clothes and probably one of these. I despair.

http://www.dealz.ie/images/4198/original/irish-sexy-garter.jpg

Sunnyisland · 17-03-2012 08:24PM

philologos wrote: »

Fair enough, but that kind of makes me wonder what specifically about being Irish is worth celebrating. Why should I be thankful that I was Irish, over being Polish or Botswana for example.

Let's give it a try.

We have documents written by St. Patrick himself such as his Confessions. Here's a Wikipedia entry on what he wrote.

I'm more than happy to discuss whether or not bringing the Christian Gospel into the country was a good thing, but the moderators mightn't be the most pleased.

Your claims about the Bible being a fumbled together work, simply do not match up with what evidence we have on the basis of the New and Old Testament manuscripts.

The question is why do we call it St. Patrick's Day rather than a drink because I'm Irish day. Not that I'm opposed to people having a pint or two, or enjoying themselves, but it's valid to ask what's the point in it and why do we call it the way we do.

It wasn't always a big drinking day afaik back in the 70,s all pubs were closed on st patrick's day,Bit like good friday now and we all know what way that is heading

To be corrected ?

Gummy Panda · 17-03-2012 08:27PM

jokettle wrote: »

Gummy Panda wrote: »

I hate it. It's drunk teenager in barely any clothes day

Barely any clothes and probably one of these. I despair.

http://www.dealz.ie/images/4198/original/irish-sexy-garter.jpg

Yeah they were all wearing them. The girls were very big as well. Obese and showing loads of flesh.

Not a great image for Ireland - drunk obese teenagers wearing fúck all

saa · 17-03-2012 08:36PM

So Spricket24 made a youtube video today about Paddys day and how Americans just celebrate by drinking and not for religious reasons, so they must think we treat this as a religious event, I've never thought of it that way.
I don't like the drinking aspect of any holiday as anywhere is always full of kn0bs, If I had children I would celebrate it again for the carnival aspect of it, I would like to bring them to the dublin parade or get involved in a community project so its for the kids really.

Oh and Shamrock shakes..

Gav.80 · 17-03-2012 08:41PM

its more known as a drinking day than a religious event

MadYaker · 17-03-2012 08:42PM

Because I like drinking.

davetherave · 17-03-2012 08:44PM

Why do you celebrate St. Patricks Day?

I don't.

Sheeps · 17-03-2012 08:45PM

im not celebrating it cause im on call

fryup · 17-03-2012 09:19PM

do ulster prods celebrate St Patricks day??

or is it just for micks* ??

*irish catholics

Tzetze · 17-03-2012 09:23PM

For the snake pie.

Doc Ruby · 17-03-2012 09:41PM

philologos wrote: »

Why should I be thankful that I was Irish, over being Polish or Botwsanan for example.

You get to have a gigantic penis.

For myself, I like St Paddy's for the loose women with a daddy complex who can touch the backs of their heads with the soles of their feet.

Next question?

Nulty · 17-03-2012 09:43PM

I don't

KeithAFC · 17-03-2012 10:02PM

A religious holiday which has been forgotten by people. Shame really. A holiday which has abandoned its traditional meaning.

Why do you celebrate St. Patricks Day?

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