Mardi Gras

[guest]

What is your view on Mardi Gras, in regards to whether it is right for christians to attend. I have heard multiple views on it and was just curious what your view was.

Thanks!

[Mike Miller]

If you are talking about Mardi Gras parades, most of them are harmless family friendly events. Of course, people outside of the New Orleans region see them all as drunken and promiscuous events, but that is not accurate. Do some people get drunk and do things they should not do? Sure. But that is no different than any other social event. Frankly, I've dealt with more offensive, obnoxious, and drunk people at professional sporting events than I've ever dealt with at a Mardi Gras parade. In fact, I've never encountered anything but friendliness at Mardi Gras parades (this is my personal experience, mind you).

As with anything, it's ultimately a matter of the heart. If a person attends a Mardi Gras event for the purpose of engaging in pagan revelry, then that is a heart issue that really has nothing to do with Mardi Gras. But if people like to go to parades, catch the throws, and hang out with their friends, I see no biblical admonition to do otherwise.

Now, if you're talking about Mardi Gras in its original meaning, which is "Fat Tuesday," or the day before Lent kicks off (Ash Wednesday), then that is certainly unbiblical. Originally, Fat Tuesday was all about casting off all restraint and indulging the flesh before the period of self-denial during the Lenten season began. Since such behavior is always sinful, and since Lent is has no biblical precedent, I do not encourage such observances.