Who is lent/fasting 40 days for Easter?
Replies
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People often misunderstand Lent. It's not supposed to be about torture or punishment. It's supposed to be about repentance and growing closer to God.
Many of you are not religious, or even actively hostile to religion. That's your prerogative. So let me offer an analogy:
Most people who are on MFP are here to lose weight and become more fit. Losing weight is an admirable goal. But to do it we must nominally eat less food. That is, we are "giving up" something in order to get something better. Is the concept really that foreign?0 -
Although I don't celebrate Lent for religious reasons, for the 40 days of Lent, I'm giving 40 items to the homeless shelter. Some out of my closet, some new. Lent isn't a diet - for me, it's a time to give of ourselves.0
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Yes it's a catholic observance.. and most will give up and sacrifice for 40 days. Doesn't necessarily someone has to give up food for instance. I'm Catholic and I just choose to give up a certain snack or food. I don't use LENT for dieting purposes. I usually give up cookies. I may have to give up Chocolate I seem to really want that lately.0
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I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.0
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babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
Do you need advice or are you just curious what everyone does? If you're religious in your understanding of Lent, then you should understand that the Lenten sacrifice is between the individual and their God. Did you not read the Ash Wednesday gospel today? Mark 6:1-6?0 -
babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
It sounds like the rules for the Greek Orthodox church are somewhat more restrictive than for the Roman Catholic rite. Here's what we do:
- Today, for Ash Wednesday, I had a Greek Yogurt for my collation. We'll probably have buttered noodles for dinner.
- For Fridays in Lent we will not eat meat. We usually have grilled cheese sandwiches, or spaghetti with marinara sauce, or even something like stir fry with tofu. We're not big fish eaters but sometimes we'll go out for Friday fish fry which is an institution here in Wisconsin, especially so during Lent. (I will not debate about fish vs meat. Seriously. I can guarantee that debate is raging all over the interwebz.)
- For penances, as I said above I'm doing without alcohol and ice cream. I will be enjoying those in moderation on Sundays.
- Good Friday will typically be similar to Ash Wednesday.0 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
Off topic I realiselynn_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.
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.
No, it's not the same. Like, not even close.
Christmas and Easter have a lot of traditions rooted in pagan practices. While Lent is a 40-day sacrifice leading up to Easter, it is completely rooted in Christianity. While it's cool that non-religious folks want to participate, it is NOT cool to twist it around to equate it to some diet.0 -
I often heard the passage from the Bible Matthew 6 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" or stated more plainly ... "That you appear not to men to fast, but to your Father which is in secret: and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly"
It's not Lent for me, yet, as I don't follow either Catholisism or any Protestant faith, however in my Chrisian faith fasting for Lent had some pretty specific foods to avoid. Some monastics would do a 40-day fast, but even they ate something (bread and oil, water, pickles). In my home the little children, the aged, and the inferm were not obligated to participate. And if you did fast, you didn't talk about it as the purpose was of a spiritual nature. Of course, the cook had reign over the family in this as well because if it wasn't placed on the table, you didn't eat it.0 -
It's such a simple question from someone who is curious about what other people want to give up for Lent. Answer it if you want to. Don't answer it if you don't want to.0
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I try to worship Christ with the way that I live my life, and disciplining my body from excess added sugar is as appropriate as many other ways. Let's see how healthy I can be by treating my flesh as the temple of the Holy Spirit these 40 days.0
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I'm just curious what everyone is giving up or if they are..0
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Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
Do you need advice or are you just curious what everyone does? If you're religious in your understanding of Lent, then you should understand that the Lenten sacrifice is between the individual and their God. Did you not read the Ash Wednesday gospel today? Mark 6:1-6?
I think you meant Mathew, and I'm not totally sure it is really relevant to this thread. She is asking for examples of types of fasting that people on these boards might undertake. It doesn't necessarily mean that she is doing so to gain praise. In fact, the only way we would know what she chooses to do would be if she told us, even then, I doubt she would get much praise. In order to meet the spirit of the parable outlined in today's gospel, she would have do something along the lines of saying "goodness, it's so hard giving up whatever!" or "20 days of no chocolate and counting! Woohoo! #Lent #Religious #Killingit #imthebestatlentandyounonreligiousfoolsbetterrecognize #humble"
The question is a valid one to ask on this site as many of us restrict our diet in other ways and observing the tradition my present peculiar difficulties. Example: Low Carb people limiting themselves to no meat and having difficulty meal planning.
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No, I don't give up anything for religious or spiritual reasons (aka Lent). I did give up the gym today but it was due to DOMS reasons, so I know that it doesn't count even if it was hard for me.
I was raised Catholic but I don't follow many of its observances. Once in awhile I will skip meat on Friday's but only if I remember.0 -
Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
Off topic I realiselynn_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.
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.
No, it's not the same. Like, not even close.
Christmas and Easter have a lot of traditions rooted in pagan practices. While Lent is a 40-day sacrifice leading up to Easter, it is completely rooted in Christianity. While it's cool that non-religious folks want to participate, it is NOT cool to twist it around to equate it to some diet.
Cool or not people have the choice to use it as such.0 -
Last year every single thread of this ilk was deleted because it is against TOS to discuss religion0
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babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
A good friend of mine is Greek Orthodox, although she doesn't observe completely. My understanding is that you all are required to do the vegan thing throughout Lent, right? Along with some other things, like olive oil? It sounded a lot more intense than ours from a food perspective.
But also, it's not for a while, is it? My understanding was that Greek Orthodox Lent is late this year, whereas ours is pretty early, so they aren't as close in time as sometimes.
Anyway, if you are curious, the current Catholic "fasting" rules are really loose. Fasts (sort of, not really, as the rules are loose) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, no meat (which doesn't include fish, because of Latin) on Fridays, and whatever we personally choose to give up otherwise as a penitential and disciplinary practice. We are also supposed to focus on prayer and alms giving, and it's encouraged to attend daily mass (or do so at least occasionally) and to use any money we save for charity. Adding in or trying out new spiritual practices or reading or prayer is encouraged. (So as you can see little has to do with food -- back in the day it was much more about fasting in various ways throughout the period.)
And, yeah, this really is about religion, not Food and Nutrition, although lots of threads about Ramadan were allowed, so if one were talking about the efforts to comply with the Greek Orthodox restrictions or some such I can see it being permitted. Arguing about whether it's stupid or not or talking about the spiritual aspects seem outside the rules (although I don't see why it's considered divisive, personally, as I never thought the Ramadan ones were).0 -
Thanks for answering my question!!lemurcat12 wrote: »babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
A good friend of mine is Greek Orthodox, although she doesn't observe completely. My understanding is that you all are required to do the vegan thing throughout Lent, right? Along with some other things, like olive oil? It sounded a lot more intense than ours from a food perspective.
But also, it's not for a while, is it? My understanding was that Greek Orthodox Lent is late this year, whereas ours is pretty early, so they aren't as close in time as sometimes.
Anyway, if you are curious, the current Catholic "fasting" rules are really loose. Fasts (sort of, not really, as the rules are loose) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, no meat (which doesn't include fish, because of Latin) on Fridays, and whatever we personally choose to give up otherwise as a penitential and disciplinary practice. We are also supposed to focus on prayer and alms giving, and it's encouraged to attend daily mass (or do so at least occasionally) and to use any money we save for charity. Adding in or trying out new spiritual practices or reading or prayer is encouraged. (So as you can see little has to do with food -- back in the day it was much more about fasting in various ways throughout the period.)
And, yeah, this really is about religion, not Food and Nutrition, although lots of threads about Ramadan were allowed, so if one were talking about the efforts to comply with the Greek Orthodox restrictions or some such I can see it being permitted. Arguing about whether it's stupid or not or talking about the spiritual aspects seem outside the rules (although I don't see why it's considered divisive, personally, as I never thought the Ramadan ones were).
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TheOriginalBeauty 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.
Thank you for saying that...thank you! I'm Christian and celebrate it for spiritual reasons. So many people seem to use it for dieting purpose when it has a big meaning to others.
Yes, it has a big meaning - RENEWAL of ourselves
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I'm giving up chocolate and crisps. So far so good!
It's definitely going to be good for me. I had signed up to do the BRITISH HEARR FOUNDATIONS Dechox for March, then I realized Easter is in March and not getting a Lindt bunny would be entirely unfair
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Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
Do you need advice or are you just curious what everyone does? If you're religious in your understanding of Lent, then you should understand that the Lenten sacrifice is between the individual and their God. Did you not read the Ash Wednesday gospel today? Mark 6:1-6?
I think you meant Mathew, and I'm not totally sure it is really relevant to this thread. She is asking for examples of types of fasting that people on these boards might undertake. It doesn't necessarily mean that she is doing so to gain praise. In fact, the only way we would know what she chooses to do would be if she told us, even then, I doubt she would get much praise. In order to meet the spirit of the parable outlined in today's gospel, she would have do something along the lines of saying "goodness, it's so hard giving up whatever!" or "20 days of no chocolate and counting! Woohoo! #Lent #Religious #Killingit #imthebestatlentandyounonreligiousfoolsbetterrecognize #humble"
The question is a valid one to ask on this site as many of us restrict our diet in other ways and observing the tradition my present peculiar difficulties. Example: Low Carb people limiting themselves to no meat and having difficulty meal planning.
Doh! Yes, I meant Matthew. I didn't look it up and was going completely by memory. Misspoke.
I get what you're saying. She's not saying what she is doing, but she is asking everyone else what we are doing to fast. I told no one. No one gets to know. Not even my husband. It's between me and my deity. You can't just ASK somebody what they are doing for their sacrifice. It's not for you to know.
If there is a question on the rules of her church, then she should ask them.-2 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
Off topic I realiselynn_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.
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.
No, it's not the same. Like, not even close.
Christmas and Easter have a lot of traditions rooted in pagan practices. While Lent is a 40-day sacrifice leading up to Easter, it is completely rooted in Christianity. While it's cool that non-religious folks want to participate, it is NOT cool to twist it around to equate it to some diet.
Cool or not people have the choice to use it as such.
Then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. Call it the 40-day vegan diet or whatever else people like to contort it to.0 -
No beer or wine for the next 40 days.0
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In the past I've given up alcohol for lent, and video games, as well as junk food. I've pretty much given up both alcohol and junk food for health reasons on a year-round basis so I don't think it would serve as much of a penance choosing either of those. My pastor has often encouraged that we take up something new in place of giving something up, so I think I'll give up my evening TV time and devote more time to reading.0
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Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
Do you need advice or are you just curious what everyone does? If you're religious in your understanding of Lent, then you should understand that the Lenten sacrifice is between the individual and their God. Did you not read the Ash Wednesday gospel today? Mark 6:1-6?
I think you meant Mathew, and I'm not totally sure it is really relevant to this thread. She is asking for examples of types of fasting that people on these boards might undertake. It doesn't necessarily mean that she is doing so to gain praise. In fact, the only way we would know what she chooses to do would be if she told us, even then, I doubt she would get much praise. In order to meet the spirit of the parable outlined in today's gospel, she would have do something along the lines of saying "goodness, it's so hard giving up whatever!" or "20 days of no chocolate and counting! Woohoo! #Lent #Religious #Killingit #imthebestatlentandyounonreligiousfoolsbetterrecognize #humble"
The question is a valid one to ask on this site as many of us restrict our diet in other ways and observing the tradition my present peculiar difficulties. Example: Low Carb people limiting themselves to no meat and having difficulty meal planning.
Doh! Yes, I meant Matthew. I didn't look it up and was going completely by memory. Misspoke.
I get what you're saying. She's not saying what she is doing, but she is asking everyone else what we are doing to fast. I told no one. No one gets to know. Not even my husband. It's between me and my deity. You can't just ASK somebody what they are doing for their sacrifice. It's not for you to know.
If there is a question on the rules of her church, then she should ask them.
Yeah, but it's not a question on the rules of her church. That's what's irrelevant. If this were a forum dedicated to the betterment of people's adherence to their church, then both of your statements would be valid. But this board is more dedicated to people's adherence to their diets.
Our judgment of her relationship with her deity or church is not needed nor requested. If you don't want to share your sacrifice with her (or the world at large) then...don't. I don't blame you. However, others may be ok with it or with sharing ideas in general such as "You don't have to give up food" or "Here is an option that you might not have thought about".
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Sorry if my comment was inappropriate. I was confused about the fasting part, not realizing it was another term for abstaining from something. I just thought it sounded like a dangerously long time to eat nothing.
It's clearer now!0 -
Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »babybellyfat wrote: »I don't use lent for dieting. I'm religious!! I'm not sure if u all misunderstood.. I wanted to know what do u eat during this time. That's all.
Do you need advice or are you just curious what everyone does? If you're religious in your understanding of Lent, then you should understand that the Lenten sacrifice is between the individual and their God. Did you not read the Ash Wednesday gospel today? Mark 6:1-6?
I think you meant Mathew, and I'm not totally sure it is really relevant to this thread. She is asking for examples of types of fasting that people on these boards might undertake. It doesn't necessarily mean that she is doing so to gain praise. In fact, the only way we would know what she chooses to do would be if she told us, even then, I doubt she would get much praise. In order to meet the spirit of the parable outlined in today's gospel, she would have do something along the lines of saying "goodness, it's so hard giving up whatever!" or "20 days of no chocolate and counting! Woohoo! #Lent #Religious #Killingit #imthebestatlentandyounonreligiousfoolsbetterrecognize #humble"
The question is a valid one to ask on this site as many of us restrict our diet in other ways and observing the tradition my present peculiar difficulties. Example: Low Carb people limiting themselves to no meat and having difficulty meal planning.
Doh! Yes, I meant Matthew. I didn't look it up and was going completely by memory. Misspoke.
I get what you're saying. She's not saying what she is doing, but she is asking everyone else what we are doing to fast. I told no one. No one gets to know. Not even my husband. It's between me and my deity. You can't just ASK somebody what they are doing for their sacrifice. It's not for you to know.
If there is a question on the rules of her church, then she should ask them.
I don't think she's asking about the rules of her church (the Orthodox have very strict fasting rules that are spelled out). I think she was honestly curious about what others do during the season and if we had similar traditions.0 -
Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
Off topic I realiselynn_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.
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.
No, it's not the same. Like, not even close.
Christmas and Easter have a lot of traditions rooted in pagan practices. While Lent is a 40-day sacrifice leading up to Easter, it is completely rooted in Christianity. While it's cool that non-religious folks want to participate, it is NOT cool to twist it around to equate it to some diet.
Cool or not people have the choice to use it as such.
Then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. Call it the 40-day vegan diet or whatever else people like to contort it to.
I didn't call it a "Lenten sacrifice" In fact I didn't call it anything and said I wouldn't be giving up anything.
However people can give up chocolate or anything else they like and they can call it lent or anything else they like also. The joys of free speech. You can't tell them what to call it any more than you can tell the OP they have no right to ask people what they are giving up or eating.0 -
I often heard the passage from the Bible Matthew 6 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" or stated more plainly ... "That you appear not to men to fast, but to your Father which is in secret: and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly"
It's not Lent for me, yet, as I don't follow either Catholisism or any Protestant faith, however in my Chrisian faith fasting for Lent had some pretty specific foods to avoid. Some monastics would do a 40-day fast, but even they ate something (bread and oil, water, pickles). In my home the little children, the aged, and the inferm were not obligated to participate. And if you did fast, you didn't talk about it as the purpose was of a spiritual nature. Of course, the cook had reign over the family in this as well because if it wasn't placed on the table, you didn't eat it.
Very interesting post and informative thank you.0 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Holly_Roman_Empire wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
Off topic I realiselynn_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.
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.
No, it's not the same. Like, not even close.
Christmas and Easter have a lot of traditions rooted in pagan practices. While Lent is a 40-day sacrifice leading up to Easter, it is completely rooted in Christianity. While it's cool that non-religious folks want to participate, it is NOT cool to twist it around to equate it to some diet.
Cool or not people have the choice to use it as such.
Then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. Call it the 40-day vegan diet or whatever else people like to contort it to.
I didn't call it a "Lenten sacrifice" In fact I didn't call it anything and said I wouldn't be giving up anything.
However people can give up chocolate or anything else they like and they can call it lent or anything else they like also. The joys of free speech. You can't tell them what to call it any more than you can tell the OP they have no right to ask people what they are giving up or eating.
Then I reserve the right to call them out on it. Religion is a sensitive subject.0
This discussion has been closed.
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