Lent?

[Arnobius]

I see Lent starts next Wednesday (mutter, grumble ). which had me wondering.

How many of you belong to denominations that observe Lent and, if you do, what sort of activity are you going to do/give up?

As for me, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being called to give up buying anime for lent.

[Hephzibah]

I have never been a member of a church that observes Lent... what is it exactly? I know that you fast something for 40 days (correct?), but what is the history behind the occassion?

[Felix]

Um...I'm a member of a non-denominational church so I don't participate in lent. If I had to though...well dang, I guess the thing I would have to give up is anime as well! ^^;;

[CDLviking]

I've been thinking, but I haven't decided what to give up. I will however probably start eating salad. That is some serious penance for me.

[Ashley]

Lent is the period of 40 days (that are not sundays) before easter, starting with Ash Wednesday. It's a time of fasting that where you give up something to show your devotion to the Lord--at least, that's what I have always been taught about it.

Oddly enough, I was asked about this at work today. Since I'm the known Christian, my boss wanted to know when this no-meat-holiday was--apparhently our little seafood place gets a huge rush with everyone giving up red meat. He was shocked to learn that I didn't do it. Thus, Ash and her boss had a nice chat about protestants and catholics.

That being said, I'm baptist. We feel lent is more voluntary--if you want to, go for it, but no one will make you. Thus I'm really not doing anything special for it.

[shooraijin]

You mean Ashley Wednesday.

[Arnobius]

I've been thinking, but I haven't decided what to give up. I will however probably start eating salad. That is some serious penance for me.

Same here. Friday's are never good for me during Lent.

Lent is the period of 40 days (that are not sundays) before easter, starting with Ash Wednesday. It's a time of fasting that where you give up something to show your devotion to the Lord--at least, that's what I have always been taught about it.

Oddly enough, I was asked about this at work today. Since I'm the known Christian, my boss wanted to know when this no-meat-holiday was--apparhently our little seafood place gets a huge rush with everyone giving up red meat. He was shocked to learn that I didn't do it. Thus, Ash and her boss had a nice chat about protestants and catholics.

That being said, I'm baptist. We feel lent is more voluntary--if you want to, go for it, but no one will make you. Thus I'm really not doing anything special for it.

More accurately, it's a time of spiritual renewal, to prepare your hearts for Easter. In my denomination, self-denial is seen as something good (when done in moderation)-- to remove the distractions that come between you and Jesus.

Meatless Fridays and the Fasting on Ash Wednesday/Good Friday are required for those in good health (though not a sin), but personal choices were just that-- personal (like my not buying anime).

[Quote=Talame]I have never been a member of a church that observes Lent... what is it exactly? I know that you fast something for 40 days (correct?), but what is the history behind the occassion?[/quote]
It's meant to symbolize Christ in the desert for 40 days. It's not just negative. One can also do something positive (maybe volunteer for something or the like)

(I hope this thread isn't offending people here. I was just curious)

[Mr. SmartyPants]

It seems kinda ritualistic. TO the point people do it to feel good about themselves. Because sunday school teachers say to do it. (from my own past experience)

I do not do lent. I do not find practicing lent an important way to Worship the ultimate creator of us. But Lent is good! It's beneficial

what is the greatest commandment? Love your neighbors and love God

[Hephzibah]

(love God comes first )
Anyway, Lent does sound like a good thing, but only if done in a non-ritualistic way. If the emphasis is on God, I don't see how it can go wrong, but if it is on man and how good you are to deny yourself, then it can be harmful.

I personally dont think I will observe Lent, although I am fasting on the first day of each month.

[Mangafanatic]

How many of you belong to denominations that observe Lent and, if you do, what sort of activity are you going to do/give up?

I use to belong to a house hold that obserced Lent. Or, rather, I still belong to the house hold, but it no longer observes Lent. it

One year, out of the blue, my Mom announced that we'd be observing Lent. No TV, no computers, no video games(no questions asked.) And let me tell you, she inforced it with an iron fist. You could almost smell the desperation and dispare in the house. To make matters worse, it was rumored in the undergound [a.k.a between my baby sister and baby brother] that the whole thing was just a ruse to get us away from electronic devices. Worse still, word on the street was that Mom was gonna try taking away electricty next.

Well, we did it, and it was miserable. To me, I would get more out of a two day fast rather than an excercise like the one described above. I think that probably has something to do with the face that the whole thing was forced on me and I didn't see any calling to do it. Maybe I'll try again one day of my own free will. I'm sure it'd be different under those curcuimstances.

[CDLviking]

It is rather hard on children when it is forced upon them. We always gave up something during Lent, but we chose it ourselves.

I think I've decided to give up root beer. I'm kind of known as a root beer snob on campus (I may even force myself to drink Mug as penance ).

[Arnobius]

True. I resented it as a child. It was after I became an adult and started studying theology that it made sense. SOme years I approach it legalistically, others out of devotion.

Anyway, Lent does sound like a good thing, but only if done in a non-ritualistic way. If the emphasis is on God, I don't see how it can go wrong, but if it is on man and how good you are to deny yourself, then it can be harmful.

That's our outlook (we may be understanding "ritualistically" differently).

There's a story I once heard (might be based on reality) that took place during the Middle Ages, where a starving lost traveller stumbled into a town on Good Friday. He was taken to the home of the Bishop who had a meal prepared for him. The traveller was afraid to eat it because it was a day of fasting. So the Bishop came in and took a meal with him to show there was no sin.

Anyway, we practice Lent, but not with a Pharisaical level of observance. We do remember the words of Christ, about the Sabbath being made for man, not man for the sabbath.

It seems kinda ritualistic. TO the point people do it to feel good about themselves. Because sunday school teachers say to do it. (from my own past experience)

That can be done with any religious observance, including reading the Bible. It's an attitude of the heart. Similar to Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the Publican: If you do it with the wrong attitude, it doesn't mean much, but when done with an attitude of devotion to God, it can mean something.

[Roy Mustang]

>How many of you belong to denominations that observe Lent.

I will be observe lent and giving up red meat on Friday's as what I have been use to doing.


Wingzero22

[Kaori]

None of the churches I have attended observe Lent, but at my school (a private Christian college) there are quite a few students who choose to do so, and I have a great deal of respect for people who do make that choice. Although, as several people have already pointed out, it can sometimes cause resentment among people who are forced to do it, I believe it has quite a bit of value as a communal act of devotion.

[termyt]

I've never really observed Lent, but last year I gave up Coke for Lent. Mainly, since I am a well known partaker in that inky-blank goodness, I used it as an opportunity to share with people that nothing, no matter how big a part of my life it is, nothing is more important to me than my relationship with God.

[uc pseudonym]

I agree with most of what has been said regarding the purpose of Lent, but I had always believed it had an additional purpose as well: the time you would normally spend eating or performing the activity you gave up is instead spent in God's service or in worship. Last year, for example, I read no webcomics or other periodicals during the period and instead spent that time praying.

I do not find it important to Worship the ultimate creator of us

Are you certain you meant to phrase it in that manner?

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Are you certain you meant to phrase it in that manner?

O_O wah sorry about that! I meant that it is not important to partake lent to worship God. Especially when one is a child and all! But Lent is still good! But i feel that it is not exactally super important. Sorry for the misconfusion

[termyt]

I agree with most of what has been said regarding the purpose of Lent, but I had always believed it had an additional purpose as well: the time you would normally spend eating or performing the activity you gave up is instead spent in God's service or in worship. Last year, for example, I read no webcomics or other periodicals during the period and instead spent that time praying.

I agree. I don't think you are really observing Lent if you do not use your fasting to focus more on God.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I agree. I don't think you are really observing Lent if you do not use your fasting to focus more on God.

termyt summarized it pretty well

[ZiP]

I don't participate in lent.
I don't really see the point of it, because I don't think just giving something up gains favor with God (unless of course it's like fasting where you replace it with prayer).

My apoligies if my idea of Lent is wrong but that's what I'm given the impression it is.

[Mave]

I'm pretty sure Lent was orginally established with great intentions for all of us. What ppl think or how ppl treat Lent doesn't change that purpose and meaning.

Fasting has always been good practice for my spiritual life and I intend to observe it, Catholic or not. After all, Jesus did it too and he had a good reason for it. Awkward as it sounds, I think it emulates the joy of sacrifice.

I'm not sure what I'm going to fast from yet. Hmmm....I need to think about this. *wanders off*

[CDLviking]

There's a story I once heard (might be based on reality) that took place during the Middle Ages, where a starving lost traveller stumbled into a town on Good Friday. He was taken to the home of the Bishop who had a meal prepared for him. The traveller was afraid to eat it because it was a day of fasting. So the Bishop came in and took a meal with him to show there was no sin.

I heard a similar story once, but it was between St. Francis and a novice of his order who couldn't take one of their fasts, so Francis cooked two fish and they each ate one. I don't think it was for Lent though.

[Yojimbo]

I'm a Catholic and yes I'll be observing Lent. I'm thinking of giving up snackfoods.

[Doubleshadow]

I go to a Methodist church back home and they are big on Lent. Last year my Mom gave up chocolate and Pepsi for Lent. This would be my first year observing Lent. I think I'm going to give up the internet except for school and bible study so I'll be out of here during Lent. I feel I'm spending too much time goofing off on the 'Net and too little time with Christ and WAY too little time out doing face-to-face witnessing.

[Lady Arianrod]

I haven't observed Lent in the past, but I did attend several churches that put a large emphasis on that period of time. It is actually an important thing to consider-- fasting or giving up any sort of time-waster or unhealthy activity can allow us to spend more time in prayer. I should give up the internet, but that would be too hard....

We'll see in March. =P

[Kaori]

I don't really see the point of it, because I don't think just giving something up gains favor with God (unless of course it's like fasting where you replace it with prayer).

Isn't the point of any fast usually to spend more time in prayer? Perhaps not all denominations teach this, but what I have always heard is that fasting is not to try to make God favor you but rather for you to be able to focus more clearly on prayer. Giving up a time-consuming activity is one way of accomplishing this, but I personally have found that fasting in the more traditional sense (abstaining from food) leads to a mindset that is particularly conducive to prayer--although it is still necessary when fasting to be deliberate about spending time with God. Otherwise, the act of fasting becomes something of an empty gesture.

[Debitt]

I go to a non-denominational church, so there isn't a very heavy emphasis placed on Lent. I've harbored the idea of participating a couple times, but I've never really gone through with it. Maybe I will one day when I'm more mature - I'm afraid at this point I'll probably end up breaking my fast. ^^;

[soul alive]

i've attended Methodist churches all my life, and while Lent was a pretty big point, my family didn't enforce or even encourage it, so i haven't done it before. i do think i will this year, now that i'm at college. i've been thinking about it, and pretty much decided that i will be fasting from being lazy. i haven't actually worked out or really exercised in a few years, and would like to start on it again, so it will be a big commitment for me. plus, it will give me a great time to talk with God.

[mechana2015]

I participate, though through my own considerations, not my churches. This year I'm giving up candy. (looks at last gobstoppers for... a really long time)

[uc pseudonym]

I eventually decided to give up candy as well. Not because I actually eat very much, but because I see it and have the opportunity to eat it quite often. My hope is that this will remind me to pray frequently.