Who is lent/fasting 40 days for Easter?

I'm sure some people will think I'm over-reacting, but Lent is a religious observation. It's not a fad diet.

lynn_glenmont wrote: »

I'm sure some people will think I'm over-reacting, but Lent is a religious observation. It's not a fad diet.

Off topic I realise

Isn't it just the same as Easter and Christmas though?

Loads of us atheist people joining in and twisting the meaning to suit ourselves. I can see why some religious people wouldn't like it but it is going to happen.

I'm giving up caffeine for lent, along with a few other people in my office so we can all be cranky together.

lynn_glenmont wrote: »

I'm sure some people will think I'm over-reacting, but Lent is a religious observation. It's not a fad diet.

Agreed. I always observe Lent, as it's a part of my religion (Catholic). I would never think of it as a diet or weight-loss strategy.

I am an adult Catholic convert. During my first Lent or two I was very aggressive in my penances, in fact turning them into crash diet plans. That didn't work out well, either in spiritual fruit or in the promotion of improvements in my health.

I've learned to choose my penances more wisely. This year it's alcohol and ice cream, the former because I feel like I have come to enjoy it out of proportion to its purpose, the latter because everyone else in my household is doing that.

As a first-time practitioner of Lent (despite my Catholic/Christian roots), I'd like to leave my already-aggressive diet the way it is, and instead take a break from negativity/negative thinking.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent

...Associated customs

There are traditionally forty days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbour).

However, in modern times, observers give up an action of theirs considered to be a vice, add something that is considered to be able to bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations.[31]

In addition, some believers add a regular spiritual discipline, such as reading a Lenten daily devotional.[6] Another practice commonly added is the singing of Stabat Mater hymn in designated groups. Among Filipino Catholics, the recitation of Jesus Christ' passion called Pasiong Mahal is also observed. In some Christian countries, grand religious processions and cultural customs are observed, and the faithful attempt to visit seven churches during Holy Week in honor of Jesus Christ heading to Mount Calvary.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

lynn_glenmont wrote: »

I'm sure some people will think I'm over-reacting, but Lent is a religious observation. It's not a fad diet.

Loads of us atheist people joining in and twisting the meaning to suit ourselves. I can see why some religious people wouldn't like it but it is going to happen.

As an atheist, I can't imagine wanting to participate in Lent. Kinda defeats the purpose of being an atheist.
But then again, I guess the debauchery of Mardi Gras is probably celebrated by a whole lot of non-religious folk as well.

Queenmunchy wrote: »

I think you should ask your Priest about your particular congregation's practices. There are so many variances between even individual churches of the same faith.

I'm not Catholic, so maybe I'm just not up on it. I have heard of the fasting for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as well as the meatless meals on Fridays, but I've never heard of complete fasting for the rest!

I assume it's just a reference to giving up something. That's called fasting too.

From the USCCB:

A. Apart from the prescribed days of fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and the days of abstinence every Friday of Lent, Catholics have traditionally chosen additional penitential practices for the whole Time of Lent. These practices are disciplinary in nature and often more effective if they are continuous, i.e., kept on Sundays as well. That being said, such practices are not regulated by the Church, but by individual conscience.

And:

14. For all other weekdays of Lent, we strongly recommend participation in daily Mass and a self-imposed observance of fasting. In the light of grave human needs which weigh on the Christian conscience in all seasons, we urge, particularly during Lent, generosity to local,national, and world programs of sharing of all things needed to translate our duty to penance into a means of implementing the right of the poor to their part in our abundance. We also recommend spiritual studies, beginning with the Scriptures as well as the traditional Lenten Devotions (sermons, Stations of the Cross, and the rosary), and all the self-denial summed up in the Christian concept of "mortification."

(Again, the "fasting" here is the same as the "additional penitential practices" above -- giving something up.)

Not that non-Catholics need to care what the Catholic practice is, and I have no idea what the OP's religion is, if any.

meganridenour wrote: »

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

lynn_glenmont wrote: »

I'm sure some people will think I'm over-reacting, but Lent is a religious observation. It's not a fad diet.

Loads of us atheist people joining in and twisting the meaning to suit ourselves. I can see why some religious people wouldn't like it but it is going to happen.

As an atheist, I can't imagine wanting to participate in Lent. Kinda defeats the purpose of being an atheist.
But then again, I guess the debauchery of Mardi Gras is probably celebrated by a whole lot of non-religious folk as well.

Yeah I pick all holidays that allow me to torture myself.

A wonderful way to turn the observation of Lent (whether you are a Christian or not) into an act of mercy toward your fellow man would be by giving alms. Whatever you choose to give up, calculate the cost of what you would have spent on that and donate the money to the charity of your choice. That way, everybody wins! Also, observing Lent doesn't have to be just about "giving up" something. It's about making a sacrifice. So you could also "add" something. Such as donating your time to a charity, spending more time with an elderly family member, doing chores for a neighbor, etc.