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Or A Revelers' Dream?
By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
study is located, I was reminded, after noticing the garbage filled street that lay overcrowded with beer cans and
bottles, of the many reasons that Mardi Gras is absolutely repulsive, or at least should be to Christians. But, since I
have reminded myself that many, indeed perhaps some here, do not know why we should have a problem with Mardi
Gras, I have taken the burden to discuss, in as much space as allowed here, the history and ungodly practices of
this odious holiday.
It is needful to first be educated on the concept of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a French term, which means Fat
Tuesday and is the Tuesday that precedes Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Catholic Holiday
known as Lent, which ends on Easter Sunday. During Lent, Catholics are called upon to "give up" something that
they like or enjoy, as a show of loyalty. It is also required that Catholics abstain from eating meats on Fridays during
this period; thus the original idea of Mardi Gras. You see: Fat Tuesday was the day in which Catholics would feast
on the fated calf, before Ash Wednesday. This is also where the idea of parading has originated, for on fat
Tuesday, in Paris, an ox was paraded through
the streets, reminding people not to eat meat during Lent. The early settlers of Louisiana, who were mostly French,
brought the Catholic tradition with them.
By 1718 masked balls, private masked parties, and street dancing were all quite popular in this Creole Southern
State. The masks were worn because Fat Tuesday came to be the day when one was to indulge in sin, before
having to ask for absolution and be dedicated during lent. The sins committed were so hideous, such as rape, that
the committed were ashamed to reveal their identity. By the early 1800s the parties and parades became so
aggressive that the celebrations were nearly banned, and oh, how heart broken I am, dear reader, that this was not
the case.
In the 1870s an addition was made to the parading, when the Twelfth Night Revelers began throwing things into the
crowds. At first, they threw trinkets, but later beads, which represent the Catholic Rosary Bead, and doubloons came
to be the particular of choice. Knowing the history and symbolism alone should be enough to cause he who is
faithful to the cause of Christ to be offended, but dear brethren, let us look now at the celebration itself.
First, Mardi Gras celebrations are responsible for numerous deaths each year, such as the death of Mr. Kime, a 20
year old college student, which was recorded in a local paper. The paper reports: "Witnesses said Kime was in the
crowd of 4,000 people when he saw a woman fall to the ground. He went to help her, and someone smashed a
bottle over his head. After he fell, the beating continued as several men kicked Kime into unconsciousness. Friends
carried him from the mob, but he died later form his injuries." Now, please, do not misunderstand, we are not saying
that all people who participate are trying to hurt other people, but, we are saying that whenever large, drunken
crowds gather in one place, this sort of thing is, in fact, as history has recorded time and again, inevitable.
Second, another New Orleans newspaper recorded that the Guardsmen, who were brought in to keep law and
order, "prevented crimes against persons or property," for the most part, "but made no attempt to enforce laws of
morality or drug use." How could a Christian, I boldly ask, who claims to walk by the oracles of God, which oracles
include behaving one's self in a modest manner, abiding by the moral laws of God, and of the land, participate in
such? Have I allowed my judgment to be blinded in some way? Have I come to be over critical in the matter? I think
not, for consider further, if you will, the stated law during Mardi Gras: "The NOPD has
decided to tolerate bare breasts within the French Quarter so long as the display is not causing public disruption"
[New Orleans Mardi Gras Laws Encyclopedia]. But, this should not come as a surprise, for notice why they decided
such: "Various commercial video tapes catering to people of voyeuristic interests helped encourage a tradition of
baring female breasts in exchange for long strings of beads," beads which are to have a religious significance with
these people mind you. They go on, "Many people from out of town now associate this with New Orleans Mardi
Gras…standards of what is considered indecent exposure were long more relaxed at Mardi Gras, and women baring
their breasts to encourage receiving beads is documented since the 1960s." What a Christian celebration. Is that
not what you want your children to see? This I say, "tongue-n-cheek." Allow us to also ask, since when has it
become acceptable to change laws during certain
times of the year?
I now wish to share with you, in the third, some tips from the official Mardi Gras website. Under the section titled,
"Bead Catching Tips," they say, marked as number 2, "Be willing to trade. If a float stops close by, that rider might
be willing to trade his best stuff for a cold beverage. A beer for a coconut is a fair trade." Marked as number 4, they
say, "Stand close by any cute kids, nuns, soldiers or young babes. They are bead magnets and you can get the
overthrow. Example, a young blond girl in a Hooter's shirt cannot carry home all the loot that will rain on her." They
also, marked under number 6, promote being deceitful, when they say, "Keep a minimum of beads around your
neck. Stash that fresh loot in your bead bag and look kinda sad and pathetic at your complete lack of success."
What Christian would even consider participating in such?
The same website mentioned above, gives reasons that Mardi Gras is better than any other holiday. They are: "On
Valentines you give the ladies candy and hope for a kiss, but at Mardi Gras, you give the ladies beads and hope for
more. On the 4th of July we watch fireworks and drink beer, but on Mardi Gras, we watch fireworks and drink
hurricanes. On New Year's Day we party like there is no tomorrow and make resolutions, but on Mardi Gras we party
for days and days and ask for absolution."
Oh brethren, remember that which is written in the fourth of 1 Peter, verses 3 and 4, "For the time past may suffice
to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings,
carousing, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of
riot, speaking evil of you." It may be that our society has come to accept this holiday of revellings, but this we can
never accept. And, it may be that we are thought to be "strange," but so be it. If being loyal to Jehovah God means
being thought of as strange, then strange I am—won't you be as well?
I have not here been able to exhaust all of that which is involved in the Mardi Gras idea and celebration, but I hope
that I have presented enough to better help you understand why we must not be participants. But, this you will
decide for yourself. Also, some may attempt to make comparisons with Christmas, etc. but can you honestly say that
there is a comparison? One is based on doing well by others, and the other is based on immorality. No, I cannot see
any comparison. Besides, I do not recall Santa asking to see bare breasts before giving a gift.
We are the elect of God, the light of the world even. We are they who are to set the example showing forth
godliness as the standard of life. Let us be that which we are to be, for in so doing we may influence others to follow
the same path.
