NationStates Jolt Archive

I want to observe the ORIGINAL fasting that was once required for Lent - not just avoiding eating one specific thing. Obviously I don't want to end up dead from it, so can someone please direct me to any links about this kind of fasting? A friend of mind has told me that those who fast 'properly' eat at sundown, but what do they eat? A big meal would seem contradictory to the aims of the fasting. Thanks.

I seem to remember you were allowed to eat beavers, because they are fish...

No. You are allowed to eat barnicle goose. They grow out of barnicles and are thus fish.

I give up not indulging.

Unless you have difficulty controlling your blood sugar level you could go weeks without eating anything with no real chance of death.

I seem to remember you were allowed to eat beavers, because they are fish...

I bet that went down well.

I want to observe the ORIGINAL fasting that was once required for Lent - not just avoiding eating one specific thing. Obviously I don't want to end up dead from it, so can someone please direct me to any links about this kind of fasting? A friend of mind has told me that those who fast 'properly' eat at sundown, but what do they eat? A big meal would seem contradictory to the aims of the fasting. Thanks.

Fasting is really supposed to be about giving something up(usually food), for a specific time, as a chance to obtain reliability on God to fill that need that was is there for whatever item it is that you have given up. So, i don't think it really matters what you give up, or for how long. If you want to go to the original meaning of lent fasting, i suppose you can go live 40 days in the middle of no where, in constant prayer, and not eat anything. But I do think that'll be the last time we will ever see you :(

I bet that went down well.
With who. The beavers or the people fasting?

My first bit of advice would be to check with your doctor before starting a fast, especially if you intend to observe a Lenten fast for the full 40 days.

Some links:
http://www.catholicculture.org/lit/activities/view.cfm?id=1013
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm

I want to observe the ORIGINAL fasting that was once required for Lent - not just avoiding eating one specific thing. Obviously I don't want to end up dead from it, so can someone please direct me to any links about this kind of fasting?

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm

I'll just say that historically, Lenten fasting has been a variety of different things. And you probably would die if you tried traditional dry-fasting for our current 40-day Lenten cycle.

A friend of mind has told me that those who fast 'properly' eat at sundown, but what do they eat? A big meal would seem contradictory to the aims of the fasting. Thanks.

Here's my suggestion. Instead of doing something traditional for the sake of being traditional, give up a bad habit you need to work on or start a good habit. And if you want to observe current Catholic custom regarding Lenten fasting and abstinence, go ahead. It's not enough to harm you.

Cheers for the help guys, but I just wanna say this: Muslims manage to fast for a long time ( month I believe) during Ramadan and people used to follow Lent in the way I am asking about - but I'm not going to go what may be considered too far (eg. walking through the dessert) as I don't wanna put myself at risk.

And I'm not doing it for the sake of being traditional.

The sundown thing is not catholic. I can't speak for Vatican I but Vatican II you are supposed to give up something very important to you. If food is important, give up spices and indulgent foods. Give up TV if you watch alot of it, give up the computer ect. It's about sacrificing something that you find very hard to live without.

The sundown thing is not catholic. I can't speak for Vatican I but Vatican II you are supposed to give up something very important to you. If food is important, give up spices and indulgent foods. Give up TV if you watch alot of it, give up the computer ect. It's about sacrificing something that you find very hard to live without.

I would find it very hard to live without food. I would find it easy to live without animal products and animal-based products as I'm vegan.

I would find it very hard to live without food. I would find it easy to live without animal products and animal-based products as I'm vegan.

Yes, but the point isn't to kill yourself. May I ask, are you Catholic?

I gave up Catholicism for Lent several years ago, and I've stuck to it.

To maintain the balance of the world I try and make up for other people fasting during lent, just trying to do my duty.

Shouldn't eating locusts be involved or am I thinking of a reality tv programme?