so--I confess my ignorance.....

[shrike3]

9. I'm not a newbie. I've probably been on the site longer than you have.

Last edited Tue Dec 22, 2020, 07:52 PM - Edit history (1)

I registered during GWB's first term. I was locked out during the great hack of 2016 and just recently decided to re-register on another name, similar. I seem to remember the actual words during the dispensation of ashes is, "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust you shall return." Surprises me you didn't use those words. But I'll take your word for it that you are an ex-Catholic because I simply have nothing else to go on. Strange to me, too, that you'd be an atheist commenting in the Interfaith group, since you have no belief.

That aside, simply quoting the old testament was insufficient, in my estimation, since the original poster may indeed have no religious training and a bible verse may mean absolutely nothing to them. Hence, I thought more explanation was needed. Your original post mostly announced your anger with the church, which is certainly your right and stems from your own experience, likely. But the original poster was simply asking for the origin of Ash Wednesday, not your opinion of the church. btw, the Orthodox Church grew concurrently with the Roman church, dating back to about 33 A.D., so the Roman Church cannot be blamed for "everything" when it comes to Christianity. Have a good day.