Keeping The Sabbath Day Holy Unless Something Really Cool is Happening

[MorningStar]

There was a man who loved a band so, so, so much. He hadn't seen them perform for over 16 years and had been stalking their website for news of concerts and new CD releases.

One day he saw they were starting a tour, but nothing had been scheduled for his area. He was forlorn.

But then he was suddenly elated to discover that yes, they were coming to his town! And it was only $10!

Unfortunately, it was scheduled in a tavern on a Sunday. He said, "I don't care! I'm going!"

His wife said, "What is this teaching the kids after we have told them no to birthday parties on Sundays and other things?"

"But It's my only chance to see them!"

"OK, but you'll probably crash to your fiery death on the way to your Sabbath breaking, lose the confidence of your children, or discover the band is now old, wrinkled, and bald. Can you live with those consequences?"

The wife is concerned that this will cause years of grief. "But Dad went to that concert that one time! How is this any different?"

How would you handle this situation? As the man, would you go to the concert? As the wife, would you just let him choose or would you insist that it affects the kids and you?

May this thread be at least 32 pages long.

[Anddenex]

There was a man who loved a band so, so, so much. He hadn't seen them perform for over 16 years and had been stalking their website for news of concerts and new CD releases.

One day he saw they were starting a tour, but nothing had been scheduled for his area. He was forlorn.

But then he was suddenly elated to discover that yes, they were coming to his town! And it was only $10!

Unfortunately, it was scheduled in a tavern on a Sunday. He said, "I don't care! I'm going!"

His wife said, "What is this teaching the kids after we have told them no to birthday parties on Sundays and other things?"

"But It's my only chance to see them!"

"OK, but you'll probably crash to your fiery death on the way to your Sabbath breaking, lose the confidence of your children, or discover the band is now old, wrinkled, and bald. Can you live with those consequences?"

The wife is concerned that this will cause years of grief. "But Dad went to that concert that one time! How is this any different?"

How would you handle this situation? As the man, would you go to the concert? As the wife, would you just let him choose or would you insist that it affects the kids and you?

May this thread be at least 32 pages long.

Reminds me of the bishopric member who brought his cell phone to Church during the Super Bowl and instead of listening to the speakers he was providing up dates to other members regarding the score.

I believe the wife handled it perfectly. She explained possible consequences while allowing him his free agency.

[Wingnut]

"OK, but you'll probably crash to your fiery death on the way to your Sabbath breaking, lose the confidence of your children, or discover the band is now old, wrinkled, and bald. Can you live with those consequences?"

Sounds like something I could live with. :)

The wife is concerned that this will cause years of grief. "But Dad went to that concert that one time! How is this any different?"

Answer the kids, "When you're 43 years old, you can choose to go to a concert in a tavern on Sunday, too.

May this thread be at least 32 pages long.

Lol.

(Sorry, I'm taking your husband's side on this, but mostly I'm just going along with the hypothetical tongue-in-cheek humor.)

BTW, I suppose this also depends on what band is in question. If it's a Beatles reunion, um, I might say "to heck with the Sabbath -- the Resurrection is happening!"

[pam]

If it were an event with Shemar Moore, I might have to think REALLY hard on that one as well.

[Vort]

I would not go. Probably. I don't want to sell my inheritance for a mess of pottage. (Besides, live performances are generally vastly overrated.)

If it were my wife wanting to go, I would do what I have done when such marital conundrums have presented themselves in the past: I would tell my wife very clearly what I thought and then leave the choice to her. I would not try to influence her past telling her what I think. It's her choice, not mine.

[EarlJibbs]

I enjoy small performances. I suppose one at a tavern is small enough.

Is it the music, the tavern, or the fact that all of this is on Sunday that would make us decide?

Would it change anyones opinions if the dad had the chance to simply meet the band he so enjoys at a more respectable place on Sunday?

[Windseeker]

My brother is the biggest Brandon Flowers/Killers fan I know. He was really disappointed when he played the Showbox on Sunday. He's seen them everytime they have been to Seattle and he decided not to go on Sunday.

I don't kiteboard on Sunday even though it always seems like the day with the best wind. I would have a hard time living with the consequences if I got injured on that day. I figure each day I sacrifice kiteboarding on the Sabbath will be repayed somehow in this life or the next. So it's no loss.

That said if the husband did decide to go, I would respond similar to what Wingnut said. I wouldn't hold it over his head.

[MorningStar]

Once U2 was playing on a Sunday here. It pained me so much not to go, but I decided not to. Then they added another show!

To me this is a great teaching opportunity for the kids - choosing the Sabbath over something not that important in the eternal scheme of things.

My objections are doing business on Sunday and hanging out in a place where people are drinking. The music is at least wholesome. Also, he has met the band before and has a signed CD, so it's not a once in a lifetime opportunity.

[MorningStar]

Reminds me of the bishopric member who brought his cell phone to Church during the Super Bowl and instead of listening to the speakers he was providing up dates to other members regarding the score.

I believe the wife handled it perfectly. She explained possible consequences while allowing him his free agency.

Seriously?!

[MorningStar]

I would not go. Probably. I don't want to sell my inheritance for a mess of pottage. (Besides, live performances are generally vastly overrated.)

If it were my wife wanting to go, I would do what I have done when such marital conundrums have presented themselves in the past: I would tell my wife very clearly what I thought and then leave the choice to her. I would not try to influence her past telling her what I think. It's her choice, not mine.

What if it were your favorite band's last concert. Ever.

[Anddenex]

Seriously?!

Sadly enough, yep.

[pam]

I moved this to General as we need the laugh button on this one.

[Dravin]

I would not go. Probably. I don't want to sell my inheritance for a mess of pottage. (Besides, live performances are generally vastly overrated.)

Musically live performances suffer compared to a nice polished studio production, IMO, the only thing I could think of that really gives the live performances the leg up is the atmosphere and energy. That leg up isn't a given though, it really depends on things like venue, artist, and fans. I'm more inclined to appreciate the atmosphere at the symphony than at a rock concert for instance.

[MarginOfError]

One Easter, my brothers and I all got kites in our Easter baskets. We were told in no uncertain terms that we would not be flying them on Sunday. My dad did acquiesce to the request to put them together, but nothing more was to happen. Then he and mom laid down for a nap.

My two older brothers took their kites out and were showing them off to the neighborhood friends. Then they noticed that if they let the string out a little and walked kind of fast, the kite would float a little. If they ran really fast, the kite sort of flew. Gradually, the strings got let out more and we were all in awe at the way the kites flew.

We watched intently as my brothers ran back in forth in opposite directions to make the kites appear to cross in the air.

CRACK!

The kites suddenly dropped. We all looked to my brothers. They were curled up on the ground and both began to wail. While watching the kites behind them, they had forgotten to look forward and see where the other brother was. Running at full speed, they both happened to turn to look forward at the same time and connected left eyebrow to left eyebrow.

Both brothers ran to the house. My oldest brother barrelled through the door, up the stairs and began washing his wound. My sister ran into my parents room sobbing. My parents came rushing out to find my oldest brother in the bathroom, and my other brother standing just outside the front door sobbing (he would later explain he thought he would get in trouble if he got blood on the carpet).

Neighbors were called, my brothers got in the car and went to the ER. One received seven stitches, the other received five.

Never again did our family talk about the importance of keeping the Sabbath.

[rameumptom]

I stay away on Sundays, even though it's meant missing James Taylor, Neal Diamond and a few others over the years. I expect a major concert in heaven after this is all over to make up for what I've missed.

Some artists/groups are awesome live. Lionel Ritchie, Huey Lewis are very good in concert. The best I've seen? Probably Earth, Wind and Fire.

What group should only perform on Memorex? Robert Cray band. After 45 minutes, the crowd was booing them to get off the stage. All of the music was the same sound, kind of like a very long dirge.... Had it lasted any longer, I probably would have put a plastic fork in my eyes to stop the pain.

[Vort]

Neighbors were called, my brothers got in the car and went to the ER. One received seven stitches, the other received five.

On the Sabbath?! Your parents should have made them wait until Monday. That would've taught them a lesson.

[pam]

Some artists/groups are awesome live. Lionel Ritchie, Huey Lewis are very good in concert. The best I've seen? Probably Earth, Wind and Fire.

I've seen Lionel Ritchie live in concert. One of the best concerts I have been to. My favorite? Styx. I think I've been to about 7 of their concerts in the last 5 years.

[Maureen]

I agree with Anddenex. If you agree with free agency you have to at some point let people practice it.

M.

[Anddenex]

Polite Reminder: Morningstar has exercised faith and hope that this thread will last 32 pages...thus keep the comments coming :)

Let us not disappoint her.

I have never been to a concert, thus no matter the band playing I probably wouldn't be tempted.

[MarginOfError]

My previous story notwithstanding, I go on campouts with my boy scout troop once a month. I feel no guilt.

Also, if I had a chance to watch the Red Sox play game 7 of the World Series on a Sunday, you better believe I'm going to the game. I'm sure that God, being a Red Sox fan himself, would understand.

[MorningStar]

I'm trying to think of what would be most tempting for me to do on a Sunday. What would the equivalent be? Hmmmmmm ....... Maybe a free massage?

Years ago my husband had the opportunity to work for "prevailing wage" on a Sunday and it would have helped our family a lot, but we decided no. After the fact, it turns out there was some loophole that wouldn't have required him to be paid prevailing wage and would have received his regular pay. We felt like we had definitely made the right decision.

My brother-in-law turned down a job that pays $30 an hour with a power company because it would require some Sunday work - like when there's a power outage. He and his wife have been struggling for many years, so I was floored he would turn it down. It didn't even require them to move and it would have been "the ox is in the mire" type of work.

Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is one of my greatest challenges because I grew up with an inactive father who did whatever he wanted in the home. We weren't going to tell him he had to turn the TV off, but then we didn't want to hide in our rooms either.

[MorningStar]

Polite Reminder: Morningstar has exercised faith and hope that this thread will last 32 pages...thus keep the comments coming :)

Let us not disappoint her.

I have never been to a concert, thus no matter the band playing I probably wouldn't be tempted.

We're at 3 whole pages.

[Guest]

I'm perhaps a little lax on this issue, but I have done things on Sunday because of an unusual opportunity. I went to a Six Flags park on Sunday on a choir trip in high school. We had to be there no matter what- couldn't separate from the group. We had to pay admission. Some of the LDS kids said they were going to just relax in the shade and not go on rides. I don't know if they actually followed through because I was too busy enjoying the roller coasters. :) My parents chaperoned that trip and left the decision up to me, but I think they were glad when I decided to have some fun. I was kind of an uptight kid.

I've passed on concerts because they were on Sunday, but if I had a chance to see Sara Bareilles, I would have to go, mostly because I doubt she'll ever come to Boise and I just wouldn't be able to pass it up if she did.

[MarginOfError]

One theory you could apply to these decisions also is the "will-I-ever-again" test. For instance, if I won tickets to a Super Bowl, I'd probably go to the game. It's unlikely I would ever again have the opportunity to participate in that spectacle.

If I had never seen Dave Matthews Band in concert and they announced their last ever tour and their stop in my city was going to be on a Sunday, I'd probably go because I'd never get the chance to see them in concert again.

If I get an invitation to go fishing, I'll probably decline, because fishing is boring.

[ploomf]

If I get an invitation to go fishing, I'll probably decline, because fishing is boring.

Not if you do it right.