# Ramadan came and went... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 5, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047 "2019-06-05T02:30:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/21 "2019-06-05T11:11:56Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > When muslims ram their holidays/religion in my face as often as Christians do, you can be sure I’ll make a comment or 2. As long as they leave me alone, it’s all good. Yep, all that I saw was a few shops that said they might have altered hours due to Ramadan. Now, if one of the shops had actually been _closed_ during normal hours when I wanted to shop, I would have thought it a little silly but it still wouldn’t rise to the level of interference from certain other religions we experience here: there are still laws in a lot of places that mandate certain goods not be sold on Sunday for instance, which immediately rises above even my hypothetical anecdote since it is government forcing their religious beliefs on others. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/22 "2019-06-05T11:32:33Z")
What a shock that a group of people, most of whom live in majority-Christian countries, generally focus on Christianity when they criticize religion! It’s almost like people focus on the things that have affected their lives more than things that have not! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/23 "2019-06-05T11:41:52Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Yep, this. The only part of the holidays that regularly get dissed are the secular parts, like puerile Christmas music and how much earlier shopping season starts… Or the reactions of the coterie of angry Christians (not necessarily on the SDMB) getting worked up about blatant lies (like Muslims making schools ban hot cross buns) or trivial nonsense (like people saying “Happy Holidays” or Cadbury not printing the word “Easter” in large enough font on their chocolate eggs) or otherwise generally trying to impose their religion through idiocy. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/24 "2019-06-05T12:06:50Z")
Reading the OP had me picturing the _leave Britney alone_ kid, sobbing pitifully and banging away at the keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/25 "2019-06-05T12:20:30Z")
At the risk of being culturally insensitive, I didn’t even know Ramadan had started or ended. Some years there is a small news story in the paper or on TV, but nothing I recall this year. As opposed to Christmas, Easter or Groundhog Day, which are covered incessantly. Don’t think there is a large Muslim community here, so that probably explains it. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/26 "2019-06-05T12:44:31Z")
I only know about it because I’ve got a Japanese friend living in Jordan. I’m an atheist but rarely mock religion. I do mock Mormonism, surprise surprise. Pit fail. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/27 "2019-06-05T13:15:42Z")
What? As a committed American atheist and family man, I really have a hard time understanding what you are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/28 "2019-06-05T13:24:35Z")
Our kitchen calendar this year happens to cite holidays for ALL the major religions, which is kind of cool. Today is Eid al-Fitr (Islamic), as well as World Environment Day. Tomorrow is the Feast of the Ascension (Christian - Orthodox only). This Sunday is Pentecost (Christian), and Shavuot (Jewish). June 12 is “Loving Day” ??? The 17th is Saka Dawa (Tibetan Buddhist). The 21st is Litha (Pagan), plus the Summer Solstice (the two are connected). On any of these holidays, you are allowed to begin drinking early. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/29 "2019-06-05T13:36:54Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Reading the OP had me picturing the _leave Britney alone_ kid, sobbing pitifully and banging away at the keyboard. Hold up a minute. Let’s not make absurd comparisons. He isn’t _that_ much of a histrionic drama queen. The guy just really liked Britney Spears, is all. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/30 "2019-06-05T13:43:52Z")
Hating on muslims is so 2000’s. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/31 "2019-06-05T13:50:51Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > it ended yesterday. Now, I didn’t read every post in every thread, but I guess I must have missed the SDMB’s coterie of angry atheists making puerile jokes at the expense of the Muslim holiday. Surely you must have done so. Otherwise, I would have to conclude that you are just a clusterfuck of lapsed Xians who are still mad that your parents made you drop your cocks and grab your socks because it was time to go to church. What’s with the war on “Christ”? First, they came for Christmas and we have Xmas. Now they are coming for Christians and we have Xians. Hey OP: Go pick on a different religion and leave good God-fearing Christians alone! Jesus H X! ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/32 "2019-06-05T13:53:20Z")
Obvious troll is obvious. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/33 "2019-06-05T14:05:58Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Or the reactions of the coterie of angry Christians (not necessarily on the SDMB) getting worked up about blatant lies (like Muslims making schools ban hot cross buns) or trivial nonsense (like people saying “Happy Holidays” or Cadbury not printing the word “Easter” in large enough font on their chocolate eggs) or otherwise generally trying to impose their religion through idiocy. What I came to say, except Gyrate said it better. Worked in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi) for 4 years so went through Ramadan several times. Never had any problem, if I wanted to eat/drink I either did so at home or closed the office door. Eid-al-Fitr was a nice 4-day holiday. Here in the states I’ve coached youth soccer with a few Muslim players and except for maybe practicing easier and not being there during Eid, had no problems. Muslim holidays tend to be quieter and more family-centered (albeit citiy buildings were lighted up for Ramadan) than a lot of US holidays. (IMHO. YMMV.) And as others pointed out, critiques of Christian holidays here are usually generated by Christians complaining about how ‘we atheists’ try to restrict/oppress them (see Christmas, War on). Not being turners of the other cheek, we tend to dissent, sometimes quiet vociferously. Deal with it, scumpup. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/34 "2019-06-05T14:34:29Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > it ended yesterday. Now, I didn’t read every post in every thread, but I guess I must have missed the SDMB’s coterie of angry atheists making puerile jokes at the expense of the Muslim holiday. Surely you must have done so. Otherwise, I would have to conclude that you are just a clusterfuck of lapsed Xians who are still mad that your parents made you drop your cocks and grab your socks because it was time to go to church. A passable effort, and good luck at getting someone to rise to your bait. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/35 "2019-06-05T14:38:08Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > What’s with the war on “Christ”? First, they came for Christmas and we have Xmas. Now they are coming for Christians and we have Xians. Hey OP: Go pick on a different religion and leave good God-fearing Christians alone! Jesus H X! Well said and I’m sure Malcolm Christ would agree, as would Professor Christ and the Christ-Men. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/36 "2019-06-05T14:42:52Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Well said and I’m sure Malcolm Christ would agree, as would Professor Christ and the Christ-Men. Don’t forget the holiest of sporting events: The Christ Games. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/37 "2019-06-05T14:48:59Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > …Professor Christ and the Christ-Men. Xian rock kicks ass. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/38 "2019-06-05T14:51:34Z")
Every year the damn stores put out the Ramadan decorations earlier and earlier! What’s up with that? And enough already with the damn Ramadan music that plays in Every. Single.Store. over and over again. I’m getting really tired of “Grandma got run over by a Hilāl” every time I want to go buy milk. Even the kids in school get nothing done for the two weeks before Ramadan, because they’re so excited, and the teachers do nothing but have them cut out paper cresents. The only good thing is sitting down with family to a really nice fast. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/39 "2019-06-05T14:52:52Z")
After just watching a ChristChristChrist movie, I’m not sure where their talk of moral superiority went. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047/40 "2019-06-05T15:13:23Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Our kitchen calendar this year happens to cite holidays for ALL the major religions, which is kind of cool. > > Today is Eid al-Fitr (Islamic), as well as World Environment Day. > Tomorrow is the Feast of the Ascension (Christian - Orthodox only). > This Sunday is Pentecost (Christian), and Shavuot (Jewish). > June 12 is “Loving Day” ??? > The 17th is Saka Dawa (Tibetan Buddhist). > The 21st is Litha (Pagan), plus the Summer Solstice (the two are connected). > > On any of these holidays, you are allowed to begin drinking early. Due to my strong, closely held personal beliefs, I only celebrate those holidays where I can eat. So that means Ramadan and Passover are both off the table…so to speak. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-came-and-went/835047.md?page=3)