A year off in Jewish culture? Our culture's rushed grief
- Did Jewish culture give people a year off from military service for marriage or mourning?
A host asks whether he remembers correctly that in Jewish culture a man got a year off from military service for marriage -- and wonders whether death got the same -- because they understood a person needs time to heal before being useful again. The hosts contrast that with modern norms: five days of bereavement, back to work a week and a half after a wedding, slaving to the clock -- then surprise when people are unhealthy. Grief that doesn't fit the schedule gets forced, and forced grief goes unprocessed.
More on Culture
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Dear LFTP: the mother-in-law moved in
- My mother-in-law moved in seven months ago and it’s been difficult — how can we sort this out?
The last letter comes from a wife whose mother-in-law moved in seven months ago with no boundaries, rising bills, unpaid prescriptions, and open disrespect.
From No. 604 · Rearview Mirror
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Church, emotions, and the self-focus of affluence
- How do you help people in an affluent, self-focused culture see that they need Jesus?
Ben revives a question from two or three shows back: are church services and worship tunes postured toward certain personality types — predominantly emotions and dealing with emotions?
From No. 603 · Found Out
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Dear LFTP: a son's Taiwanese wife
- My son married a woman from Taiwan whom I dislike and have nothing in common with; what should I do?
Mike (speaker-2) reads a Dear LFTP letter from a parent whose son married a woman from Taiwan: she is sweet but the writer calls her 'uncultured,' dislikes her housekeeping, cooking, English, and dress, and says they are never invited over.
From No. 537 · The Bible Confuseth
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Article: why people reject Christianity, and record unhappiness
- Can you be holy and happy at the same time?
- Are people actually unhappier than past generations, or just more willing to say so?
A host reads an article arguing that beneath surface objections, two reasons top the list for rejecting Christianity: bad experiences with professing Christians who look nothing…
From No. 519 · Folk Ain’t Happy