Mardi Gras, Muslims and me

When the boys were young, we went to New Orleans for a vacation and had the time of our life.  We went to the aquarium and to Cafe Du Monde in the Warehouse district and had beignets.  We went to the parades and the boys caught huge bags of beads and stuffed animals.  I went with a friend who was a native to New Orleans to have an authentic "soul food" breakfast.  I will never forget walking in the door and having everyone stare at me as though I had a third eye in the middle of my head.  Before taking another step, at the top of his lungs, my friend made an announcement to everyone in the restaurant that it was "OK" for me to be there, I was his friend.  White people were not allowed in the restaurant without this type of announcement.  Quite the experience indeed.

So tomorrow, New Orleans will be at it's craziest.  Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday and people traditionally eat fatty rich foods before starting their Lenten fast.  Most Catholics also go to confession just before midnight to ask forgiveness of their sins committed on Fat Tuesday.  Nowadays, thanks to the internet, Fat Tuesday is associated with women bearing their breasts in the French Quarter and drunken orgies.  The Mardi Gras that I experienced was a family event.  I still don't agree with the ritual or the reasoning for Mardi Gras, however, I do have Catholic friends that are sincere in their efforts to fast and pray and give up something of meaning until Easter.

Fat Tuesday in some ways reminds me of the Muslim celebration of Ramadan.  No, there are no parades or French Quarter "celebrations".  However, for Ramadan, all Muslims- old, young, and children - fast from sunrise to sunset for thirty days.  At the end of each of those days, they all come to break the fast and pray to their god, Allah.  It is a form of worship for them, helping them focus on spiritual things instead of earthly needs.  They come together all over the world for this thirty-day religious event, sacrificing and praying to a god who isn't even alive.  Is it any wonder that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States?  It is estimated that in a few years, one in four worldwide will be converted to Islam.

Speaking for myself only, most of the churches that I have attended from birth until recently, have dwindled in attendence and have been "dead" churches.  It seems everyone, myself included, just go through the motions.  Church people say all the right church words like "fellowship" and say things like "I will pray for you, man". But it all seems like entertainment hour to me; sing a few songs, have some announcements, a speaker (preacher) will give a lecture (sermon), another song is sung, we all shake hands and go home. It seems insincere.

So it doesn't surprise me that people are turning to Islam.  They are serious.  They are devoted.  People are looking for something to counteract the craziness going on in the world right now.  Catholics have a 40-day period (starting Wednesday) that they keep their rituals and religion at the forefront.  I have Catholic friends that put me to shame with their commitment to devotions every morning of every day of the year. 

So, as I spend time alone in a 22-foot camper, I believe I will eventually have to come to a decision.  Do I have the guts to commit my heart and soul to fast and pray and give or will I just complain about the growth of Muslim conversions in the U.S.and snicker at the Mardi Gras celebrations and do nothing at all?