I totally agree, now it's just a drunken, topless party for profit. It's a terrible thing what people can do.

No way, what would I do with all these beads?

Why must every fun event be turned into a sombre, depressing one?

To a devout Christian that would be true. But such traditional holidays have a lot of inertia, they are not easily changed. Just look at christmas with its elves. Also you should realize that many of these celebrations are the result of Christian intolerance towards earlier traditions. Mardi gra was originally the roman 'day of all fools' were societal rules were turned upside down (a promise and reminder for the slaves that slavery was not forever). And Cristmas was originally the pagan winter solstice celebration of northern Europe (pigging out to tell the gods how summer should be, now the sun was rising again). regards JakobA

I agree. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is the day of feasting and celebration before the penitential season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The Catholic Church and many other Christians Churches follow the Biblical practice of Jesus Christ and the Jews in setting aside days where the entire Church fasts and prays as one in a attitude of constant renewal. By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert and in spiritual preparation for the celebration of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. This season of penance is an intense moment of the Church's penitential practice and are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and charitable and missionary works. The Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches also observe the season of Lent. Many modern Protestant Churches consider the observation of Lent to be a choice, rather than an obligation. For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1438: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.shtml#1438 For Lenten resources, see: • http://www.usccb.org/lent/ • http://americancatholic.org/Features/Lent/default.asp • http://americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0205.asp With love in Christ.

I do not agree, there are plenty of holidays that are family based, Mardi gras is not. Its time for adult behavior & fun, although there are different events around here prior to Mardi gras such as the Dog Parade that is more family oriented. If one doesn't want to participate then they do not have to