posted
Lent is fast aproaching (I think), and I'm just wondering what people are giving up, or planning to give up for it, if anything.
Posts: 2332 | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I'm personally considering giving up AIM and Hatrack, then two days later when I fail that I'm going to give up shaveing in an attepmt to be less vain (or grow a beard).
Posts: 2332 | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
*snerks at that image* I am a heathen, so, nothing. but if i could give up something it would be watching television! But, that won't work because I hate watching msot television... If i had to give up music for however long Lent lasts... I'd die.
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posted
giving up music would make me convulse and twitch on the floor maybe i'd give up... hmmm... books my eyes need a rest anyway
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quote:Often it's harder to commit to a good act for all of lent instead of giving something up.
I wonder how many people recognize the seriousness of this statement.
And no matter how much people may water it down, the concept of Lent is impressive and humbling on a spiritual level even to me, and I have no stake at all in the faith (no, I was never Catholic) or any others.
Posts: 779 | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
I'm not giving anything up. Nor am I intending to commit any more good acts than I'm commiting now.
This is so much a question of tradition rather than faith over here, that it's almost funny. You get drunk on Tuesday before the Lent starts. You go to church on Wednesday, hang-over, to get your forehead marked with ash. You don't eat meat on Fridays. You don't dance, but you can get dead drunk.
The concept of Lent would be much more humbling and impressive, if it was something you do, not because you should, and because it's the tradition, and because it's this time of the year again, and people talk about it, and the priest tells you that in his sermon, but because you *feel* it's right.
Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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quote:The concept of Lent would be much more humbling and impressive, if it was something you do, not because you should, and because it's the tradition, and because it's this time of the year again, and people talk about it, and the priest tells you that in his sermon, but because you *feel* it's right.
How can you tell the one type of participant from the other by observation? Maybe there are a lot more people doing something for Lent for heartfelt reasons than you think.
quote:The concept of Lent would be much more humbling and impressive, if it was something you do, not because you should, and because it's the tradition, and because it's this time of the year again, and people talk about it, and the priest tells you that in his sermon, but because you *feel* it's right.
Or maybe it would seem to mean much more if Catholics didn't let other denominations know of their practices? Didn't let them in the churches?
I agree that it's all about how and why the person is observing it, but the concept itself is what I find incredibly impressive, and no amount of human hypocrisy—which happens in all faiths—is going to change my admiration of the concept of it.
Posts: 779 | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
I'm bad with dates. So I started Lent a week ago.
I'm going ultra-LDS this year: No beer and no soda (wine and hard liquor don't count since I got ruined on hard liquor in college, and my stomach doesn't handle wine all that well).
I am also going to give up snacks (though up to now I'm having a hard time of it currently).
I participate in Lent _precisely_ because of the tradition and the symbolism involved. It's about as close as I can get to the example of Jesus. It's a way to be constantly reminded. It's what people have done for generations, and it's constructive.
posted
I don't really understand Lent, but I think it's an interesting and I'd like to know more about it. I tried to give up more than one hour of Hatrack per day for New Year's. A couple of days ago I thought I would give up the more contentious threads. I guess I need to repent and re-commit to that. But that was supposed to be just a general giving up, and not a Lenten offering.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:How can you tell the one type of participant from the other by observation?
Because if you come to church hung-over and smelly, I don't believe you want to really change something in your life.
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posted
Dude, Leto, Catholics just know how to keep a secret without anyone knowing there is a secret. Why exactly do you think you've never heard of [ edited for your safety by Vatican police ]?
Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
No, I knew about [ edited by Vatican police ], but I had also heard about [ edited by Vatican police ] and was told me where I'll find the answer.
By the way, where is "purgatory?" I heard it might be in New York.
[ February 21, 2004, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: John L ]
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posted
I plan on giving up... um... school! Yeah, I will give up school, because I um... um... enjoy it so much! Yeah!
Posts: 1466 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I think I will start running five days a week again during lent. Every winter I seem to quit working out much, and I have to start again each spring. I don't know why I can't manage to maintain a good workout program in the wintertime. I guess I usually get sick or something and that stops me, then I'm too depressed to get started back until the sun starts to come out more often.
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It's weird, I guess it's because my dad was previously a Catholic, but I always thought Lent was a normal thing... Maybe my church is even more old-fashioned than I thought. *shrug* My mom, a dyed-in-the-wool Congregationalist, had no problems with it, and acted on it as if she always had.
Huh.
I've only been successful once; I gave up all chocolate one year in high school. I would have been successful last year, but I drank one soda
posted
Lent is a big scam. Its only purpose is to facilitate fund raising for fire halls. Either that or fire halls are part of the catholic church. The part where they moved their bars to, although they kept the gambling in house.
Posts: 1458 | Registered: Feb 2001
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Theoretically I only have today and tomarrow left on hatrack until whenever lent ends, but since I almost never go a day without at least checking the last few posts on a couple threads, I probably will have to come up with something else to give up, and I guess I can't give up shaveing for lent since I haven't shaved in a month already. Maype I can try doing something good instead of giving something up .
Posts: 2332 | Registered: Jul 2003
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I'm with Dagonee, I give up caffeine every year for Lent...mainly because it's a real sacrifice for me, because I'm so addicted. Plus, not including the first week of intense headaches and biting people's faces off, I feel better and healthier. The trouble is avoiding it, because it's in every tasty thing. Coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, hot cocoa, etc. It's going to be tough!
Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Lent has become a popular event around the world because its seen by many people as a test of personal will and self control.
Its New Years resolutions, with an end date.
But to understand its true signifigance, its true meaning, you have to realize a deeper meaning to Lent.
You are not supposed to be giving up caffeine because its good for you. You are not supposed to be giving up TV because you really should.
What you are supposed to do is give up something you find enjoyable, not forever, but until Easter, to show God that you are willing to sacrifice for him. (or her.)
If you fail, if you eat meat on Friday or watch that last episode of Friends, or sneak back here on Hatrack, you are not just letting yourself down. You haven't just failed in your own self control. You have failled in your promise to God.
Luckilly, God is very forgiving.
However, when you make a vow for Lent, and you are tempted to break it, maybe you should take a moment and ask God what to do. Even better, instead of deciding what you need to give up or pass up, or do for Lent, maybe you should ask God's advice as well.
I took a lot of religious courses when I was in College. I was impressed with one aspect of Islam--its emphasis on sacrifice to God. The Pillars of Faith are not meant to be laws that define who goes to heaven and who doesn't. They are signs of the believers willingness to follow God, and sacrifice whatever is neccesary to do so.
I found their similarity to Lent very interesting.
My Catholic friends thought I was nuts.
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posted
As a former Baha'i, I find people who think giving something up for Lent is a sacrifice to be a little amusing. Try Ramadan, people. *grin*
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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There are a few, depending on how strictly Muslim you are; as with most religions, different sects practice different specifics.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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I would imagine Ramadan is a lot "easier" to celebrate in countries with significant Muslim populations where society in general will alter itself to accomodate the tradition.
posted
In the same way that it's easier to be Catholic in a region that has a traditional Friday Fish Fry at every restaurant (and Filet o'Fish, for the rest), I'd imagine that it's easier to celebrate any tradition when everyone around you is also celebrating; ask a Mormon in Utah, for example.
posted
I've always thought the LDS concept of fasting was similar to the idea behind observation of Lent. Of course, Mormons only have to give up food and water for 24 hours rather than 40 days, but the principles behind the practices are similar.
Posts: 786 | Registered: Jun 2003
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My Libyan Arabic professor said some folks make up for the daylight hours and then some- kind of Mardi Gras every night for a month.
He told this other funny story- some go by actually seeing the moon at the beginning and end of the month, others go by a calendar. A group of guys claimed they could see the slightest sliver of moon and broke Ramadan early. There was in inquiry and it turned out they had opted out of military service due to poor eyesight. Well, I don't know if it ended with them being drafted or having to start Ramadan over or something. They way he told the story it was much funnier.
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There are several people in my company who participate in Ramadan. They aren't in my department, but I believe the company makes some concessions for them.
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quote: You are not supposed to be giving up caffeine because its good for you. You are not supposed to be giving up TV because you really should.
I agree about the real reason for giving something up for Lent. But if you're sacrificing something, why not pick something that offers many benefits?
Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I'm giving up caffeine because it's a real sacrifice for me.
I'll have headaches for a week or so because I am denying myself a luxery I have allowed myself to get hooked on. It will serve as a reminder that there are people out there who suffer physically because they cannot get necessities of life.
quote:In the same way that it's easier to be Catholic in a region that has a traditional Friday Fish Fry at every restaurant (and Filet o'Fish, for the rest), I'd imagine that it's easier to celebrate any tradition when everyone around you is also celebrating; ask a Mormon in Utah, for example.
Gotta love 2 Fish Filet for two dollars .
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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I tried fasting, when I was in intercessory prayer for someone. I felt very, very bad when I ate - but I did so not because of will power but because of medication. My combination morning drug regimen does not lend itself to fasting, I get violently nauseous.
I continued in prayer, of course. But I wonder, should I have stopped taking my medication? Moot point, because at that time I'd already taken it. But, if I felt the need to fast and pray for someone again, do you think I should forego my meds? I'm wondering what others who practice fasting might think. I'm new to the concept.
They are hormone replacement therapy, anti-depressants, and ADD medication, by the way.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Belle, have you discussed fasting and/or omitting your meds with both your doctor and whoever you go to for religious guidance? (pastor? I get the different terms confused, sorry)
I know that is what I would (and have) done in similar situations. Your physical health is important too. Also, one -- or both -- may have some helpful suggestions.
posted
I always figured taking important medications was more important and that if you ate/drank as little as possible then that would just have to do. Take the ADD med, for example. Skip that and you won't be able to pray well, anyway, right? Nothing bad will happen if you skip the hormones but hot flashes could certainly make praying harder. Many diabetics cannot just fast without talking it over with their doctor, and taking the medicine or not, while fasting, is aseparate issue that needs to be discussed also. Illness, or prevention of illness ought to come first, I would think. I've never had a patient who checked with their religious leader ever come back and tell me they were advised to skip meds.
Although I DID have one patient who really needed blood tests who would not allow blood work during the month of Ramadan. Drawing blood was not allowed under any circumstance, she said. And when I was a resident in Indianapolis there was some minister who worked with some of the homeless shelters who told all of his followers to stop taking ALL their meds, because meds were evil. Now, when all those people started going to the ER with chest pain, strokes,and diabetic complications I was ready to wring his neck. He really cost the healthcare system a lot of time and money, not to mention causing a few heart attacks and a stroke or two.
Posts: 1990 | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
I'll ask my therapist tomorrow, she also has a degree in theology and doubles as a therapist/religious advisor. And, I'll ask my pastor on Wednesday.
Maybe crackers and water right when I take the meds and nothing else all day? I think God is pretty understanding in these types of things. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:I agree that God is pretty understanding in these things.
I also agree. Each person is different, so there isn't one blanket fasting rule that applies. Mormons tend to try for 24 hours and/or two full meals without food or drink, but anyone with medical reason to do otherwise should just do what they can. For example, if my job requires lots of physical activity (I'm an actor) and I have a rehearsal or performance during a fasting period, I will drink water.
The most important thing is sacrifice, which I gather is also the purpose of Lent.
p.s. Since LDS people fast once a month for two meals, they also donate the money they would have spent on the meals to a fund earmarked to help feed and clothe less fortunate people in the US and the world. I think this is a great idea for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation.
Posts: 786 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Hey, Tom, that remark about Lent was really rude. Same with yours, Luthe—seriously uncalled for.
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Try Ramadan, people. *grin*
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