Green councillor gets grandkids to send Valentine cards to immigrants at Crowburgh

sixandahalf

That's interesting DA. I see a connection between Ramadan and Lent which fall at a similar time this year.

Lots of connections actually, when you dig a bit.
One of my favourites is a chicken tikka pizza.

Everytime I remind myself of these things I find our country's history amazing yet again. It's a vast woven tapestry.

TerriBull

Yes I agree with you Oreo definitely for lovers.

My recollection of a catholic upbringing was a church so hung up on sex outside marriage, they would certainly never have endorsed a custom, even if it was in the name of saint, whereby there could even be whiff of such licentiousness via the Valentine Card --can't help thinking it's their way of sanitising it turn it into something quite different to make it more palatable--

Funny you should say that, as I wondered about that aspect too.

Maremia

Allira, you should look up what orange roses signify.

Oh!
Not what it said earlier in the thread 🥰

He did say he thought they were red - should have gone to you-know-where.

Yes I agree with you Oreo definitely for lovers.

My recollection of a catholic upbringing was a church so hung up on sex outside marriage, they would certainly never have endorsed a custom, even if it was in the name of saint, whereby there could even be whiff of such licentiousness via the Valentine Card can't help thinking it's their way of sanitising it turn it into something quite different to make it more palatable

Oreo

Norah It would be interesting to see how many Catholics, or those brought up as Catholic regard Valentines Day.
I see that Terribull hadn’t heard of it.Could it be that most Catholics don’t take much notice of Franciscan teachings ?
Valentines Day for the vast majority of people in the UK is for lovers and would be lovers.🌹

Perhaps.

However, on this thread I'm not alone in celebrating Valentine's Day as love of family, spouse, children, grandchildren. I don't see a minority.

Galaxy

I do wonder if people realise the damage they do by nodding along with ideas simply because they think they are on the right side of the political debate. I won't vote for reform but as a centre lefty I also wouldn't vote for any party that undermined safeguarding in this way.
But I sure it will all work well, and that it won't end up with people wandering around going I can't understand how reform won.

😄 Naturally it will, it will be like Brexit all over again.

Norah It would be interesting to see how many Catholics, or those brought up as Catholic regard Valentines Day.
I see that Terribull hadn’t heard of it.Could it be that most Catholics don’t take much notice of Franciscan teachings ?
Valentines Day for the vast majority of people in the UK is for lovers and would be lovers.🌹

I do wonder if people realise the damage they do by nodding along with ideas simply because they think they are on the right side of the political debate. I won't vote for reform but as a centre lefty I also wouldn't vote for any party that undermined safeguarding in this way.
But I sure it will all work well, and that it won't end up with people wandering around going I can't understand how reform won.

Allira, you should look up what orange roses signify.

That is fascinating DaisyAR

DaisyAnneReturns You're most welcome.

British culture today is essentially a hybrid system built over 2,000 years.

Certainly true!

That's interesting DA. I see a connection between Ramadan and Lent which fall at a similar time this year.

Lots of connections actually, when you dig a bit.
One of my favourites is a chicken tikka pizza.

What a very interesting insight Norah. Thank you. I also found this:

Many Protestants simply treat it as a cultural holiday, not a religious one.
Some evangelical groups are cautious due to perceived pagan associations.
Others use it as a chance to teach about:
Biblical love
Marriage
Self-sacrificial commitment

The Eastern Orthodox Church honors saints named Valentine, but not typically on February 14, and the day is not strongly associated with romance.

One thing is clear to me. There are a multitude of sub-cultures in this country, from family to family, street to street, town to town, county to county and country to country, there are are both subtle and large differences. No single person's culture or even a single group's culture is "the" British culture (thankfully).

We have absorbed into our culture and been influence by:

Pre-Roman Celtic Britons
The Romans (43–410 AD)
The Anglo-Saxons (5th–11th centuries)
The Vikings (8th–11th centuries)
The Normans (from 1066)

Later we were influenced by
Jewish Communities (Medieval onward)
Huguenots (16th–17th century French Protestants)
Irish Migration (19th century)

Later still - Empire & Modern Immigration (20th century onward)
From: India, Pakistan, Jamaica, Nigeria

We’ve absorbed:
Language layers (Celtic + Germanic + Norse + French + global)
Legal traditions (Roman + Anglo-Saxon + Norman)
Food diversity (local + empire influences)
Religious diversity (Pagan → Christian → multi-faith)
Architecture styles (Roman, Norman, Gothic, Victorian, Modern)

British culture today is essentially a hybrid system built over 2,000 years.

I was raised a catholic and don't remember any celebrations around St Valentine's I probably wasn't paying attention I seem to remember we got the day off school for the more important saints days on the basis that we went to a mass.

Allira

Thought St Valentine was removed from the Catholic calendar in 1969?

If we're going to go back to the true, literal meaning it means sacrifice or martyrdom for the love of God through Christ.

Indeed, Second Vatican modernised the Church, only recognising the feasts of Saints “who are truly of universal importance.”

Our Church celebrates St Valentine. Not a day of obligation.

Thought St Valentine was removed from the Catholic calendar in 1969?

If we're going to go back to the true, literal meaning it means sacrifice or martyrdom for the love of God through Christ.

Oreo

Norah
You send Valentines to your grandchildren?
It’s a day for lovers or would be lovers.

Yes, we give Valentine cards to daughters and grandchildren.

Valentine's day celebrates agape love, selfless love.

Franciscan Foundation In Catholic teachings, love is not just a superficial feeling; it involves doing good things for others, showing generosity, and placing others before ourselves. Recognizing that love can take different forms helps people understand how Valentine’s Day aligns with what Catholics believe.

The Catholic faith encourages individuals to go beyond societal norms about love. It encourages a deeper comprehension of love that extends beyond romantic gestures. It emphasizes being good friends, developing strong family connections and caring for others.

It is not just about exchanging cards and chocolates. It is an opportunity to express love in various ways – lending a helping hand, showing kindness and considering the well-being of our entire community.

Catholic Traditions on Valentine’s Day may include beginning the day with a morning Mass, a special church service, where church goers reflect on the theme of love and thank God for the people they care about. Catholics also take time to say prayers for their loved ones, asking for blessings and protection.

But it is not just about thinking of family and friends; it is also about helping others. Some Catholics volunteer or give to charity, showing love to the wider community. Sharing a meal with family is another tradition.

Litterpicker

I imagine the ‘hearts’ are the orange ones, as described in the quotation below from the attached website -

togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/about/

“Orange heart
The orange heart represents compassion for people fleeing war and persecution. Inspired by the refugee nation flag created to mark the participation of the first ever refugee team in the 2016 Olympics, it is the colours of a lifebelt and the heart symbolises hope and kindness. By sharing the heart – whether on your social media, in your windows or on your website - you can show your support for refugees.”

My love bought me 12 roses for Valentine's Day. They were still buds.

Now they're coming out, they are obviously orange, not red.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

ViceVersa

DaisyAnneReturns

And what do we make of people who don't discuss but make thinly veiled personal attacks MartavTaurus?

I'm sorry - please show me where I made a 'thinly veiled personal attack'? If that was what I had intended, rest assured I'd have named the poster involved.

When a comment like your appears right after someone’s repeated contributions, it’s simply reasonable to see it as directed. Whether or not you intended it that way, it read as a personal comment rather than addressing the argument itself. It's doubtful that you meant the "I'm sorry" above as an apology either. Intent an impact aren't always the same thing.

Prejudice against what others believe St Valentine's Day means?

That sounds like a misunderstanding of the meaning of "predudice" Allira

Tuliptree

DaisyAnneReturns

And what do we make of people who don't discuss but make thinly veiled personal attacks MartavTaurus?

Indeed

Ha ha!
Tuliptree l, you jumped in too quickly there in less than a minute, when DAR apologised for her mistake, she wasn't even talking to me, but another poster! 🤣

DaisyAnneReturns

And what do we make of people who don't discuss but make thinly veiled personal attacks MartavTaurus?

I'm sorry - please show me where I made a 'thinly veiled personal attack'? If that was what I had intended, rest assured I'd have named the poster involved.

St Valentine is the saint for lovers but I think lots of people celebrate it now to tell someone they're loved.
I had a Valentine's gift from my DD 😊 but cards maybe should only be given to your lover.

DaisyAnneReturns

ViceVersa

Some people are just like a dog with a bone...

Some people feel that prejudice should be called out. It far too dangerous to let it fester.

Prejudice against what others believe St Valentine's Day means?

I don't feel deep sorrow, anger, or any other strong emotions about how some traditions lose their meanings over the years, but I do think it's a pity.
Valentine cards - often sent anonymously to someone a person loved from afar or from one partner to another.
Hallowe'en - pumpkins, guising, apple bobbing,
Christmas? I won't even start!!

Everything has become so commercialised now.