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Original poster

to wonder why Lent fasting has become so diluted?

553 replies

Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 14:47

I was talking to a Christian who told me she fasts the traditional way in Lent. No food or water from sunrise to sunset. She was the first I had met who actually abstains from food and drink for a significant period of time.

Other Christians I know choose to give up one food e.g. chocolate, wine, tea, coffee. One Christian told me she gave up Facebook for Lent.

The Christian who said she fasted the traditional way told me she gained many benefits such as spiritual closeness to God, self discipline, greater self control.

It did make sense. Giving up Facebook doesn't seem likely to bring many benefits although may it did for that one person.

I wonder why it became diluted and whether Christianity has lost its followers by allowing most things it did not used to.

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LBFseBrom · 29/03/2025 18:19

I've never heard of that level of fasting for Lent. No water? That's ridiculous. Methinks she is having you on. The idea is that you go without some things that you normally like very much and have often, ie you are more frugal than at other times, and give what you save to a worthy cause. You're not supposed to starve yourself! If you did you'd be no use to anyone.

Even those Muslims who observe Ramadan eat jolly well after sunset, it's quite nice actually because they get together with others, preferably family, pray, share and talk about things they care about.

With both, the health of the person is relevant, not everyone has to fast at all. Diabetics, pregnant women, other things, children of course and hydration is important.

tuvamoodyson · 29/03/2025 18:18

Sifflet · 29/03/2025 15:03

Mainstream Christians never, as far as I am aware, since the very early days of Christianity, fasted for Lent as observant Muslims do for Ramadan. Where did you get the idea they did? It’s hardly surprising that customs have changed since the 5th c BC.

I grew up in a devout Catholic household in a devoutly Catholic culture, and while fasting for Lent was common, it meant abstaining from treat foods, apart from ‘Black Fasts” on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (one meatless meal, two collations).

She didn’t. Her friend told her that’s what she did.

CraftyGin · 29/03/2025 18:18

Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 18:11

It is prescribed by God, isn't it? Most people I know who fast for religious reasons from various faiths do it because it is prescribed by God. They are not doing it for other people or institutions.

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It's an expectation. Jesus said, "when you fast", not "if you fast". How that fast transpires is between you and God.

ClaredeBear · 29/03/2025 18:16

Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 17:27

People were educated in the past too and there are religious educated people now too. Why is it that Christianity has become a lot more casual but not other faiths which are growing in number?

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In the 60s only 4% school leavers went to uni. Now it’s closer to 50%. People are choosing critical thinking over religion and as a result, in the UK religious belief is in sharp decline overall, including the small uptick in Islam from immigration. I am speaking specifically about the UK and assume OP is also referring to their experience in the United Kingdom.

Original poster
Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 18:11

CraftyGin · 29/03/2025 18:09

Fasting is between you and God. It cannot be prescribed by an institution or other people. Jesus said that fasting should be private.

Saying that, it should be meaningfully difficult. No point in giving up alcohol if you don't actually drink.

A lot of people give up non-food for Lent, such as social media, or using the car.

When they are hurting, they turn to prayer and become closer to God.

Another important part of Lent is Almsgiving - doing something to help others. It is good if it is related to the fast, eg putting the money saved on wine towards charity, or time away from social media to volunteer.

It is prescribed by God, isn't it? Most people I know who fast for religious reasons from various faiths do it because it is prescribed by God. They are not doing it for other people or institutions.

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Original poster
Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 18:10

Examples of fasting lengths in the Bible:

-One day or part of a day (Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Samuel 1:12; 3:35; Nehemiah 9:1; Jeremiah 36:6)
-A one-night fast (Daniel 6:18–24)
-Three-day fasts (Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9)
-Seven-day fasts (1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 12:16–23)
-A fourteen-day fast (Acts 27:33–34)
-A twenty-one day fast (Daniel 10:3–13)
-Forty-day fasts (Deuteronomy 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8; Matthew 4:2) and
-Fasts of unspecified lengths (Matthew 9:14; Luke 2:37; Acts 13:2; 14:23).

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CraftyGin · 29/03/2025 18:09

Fasting is between you and God. It cannot be prescribed by an institution or other people. Jesus said that fasting should be private.

Saying that, it should be meaningfully difficult. No point in giving up alcohol if you don't actually drink.

A lot of people give up non-food for Lent, such as social media, or using the car.

When they are hurting, they turn to prayer and become closer to God.

Another important part of Lent is Almsgiving - doing something to help others. It is good if it is related to the fast, eg putting the money saved on wine towards charity, or time away from social media to volunteer.

Weefox · 29/03/2025 18:03

I give up sweet things for Lent. Last year lost at least half a stone.

Ddakji · 29/03/2025 18:02

Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 18:01

No she is African.

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Africa’s a big place.

Original poster
Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 18:01

ChangeyerNameyer · 29/03/2025 18:00

Is your friend from the Middle East? I wonder if Lent in Muslim countries has absorbed some of the traditions of Ramadan.

No she is African.

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ChangeyerNameyer · 29/03/2025 18:00

Is your friend from the Middle East? I wonder if Lent in Muslim countries has absorbed some of the traditions of Ramadan.

Tryonemoretime · 29/03/2025 17:58

Lent fasting doesn't appear in the bible, so none of the Christians I know (or me) do it. What IS in the New Testament is 'But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.' Matthew chapter 6 v 17 - 18. Any serious Christians would fast in that way.

Mielikki · 29/03/2025 17:55

The fasting that you are describing (no food or drink from sunrise to sunset) died out in the Western church in the 7th century. This is hardly a new thing.

Ponoka7 · 29/03/2025 17:53

Grammarnut · 29/03/2025 16:10

Christianity is the largest religious grouping in the world. It is also the persecuted.

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Yeah it is, but the bible's teachings aren't followed, so although the Churches exist, there's very few Christians/Catholics in them. It does make you wonder if it's worth the persecution, but in places like Nigeria, Christianity is a better bet for women.

Mahanii · 29/03/2025 17:43

I know African Christians who abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during Lent. Perhaps we've westernised Christianity?

godmum56 · 29/03/2025 17:39

Doingmybestbut · 29/03/2025 17:28

Our orthodox neighbours fast pretty seriously during Lent and Advent. I think it’s Protestantism and the emphasis on God looking at your heart rather than outward religiosity.

what seriously as in no food all day?

godmum56 · 29/03/2025 17:37

Lampzade · 29/03/2025 16:59

I have just googled ‘fasting and prayer’ and there are loads of videos and information about biblical fasting and the spiritual benefits .Some Christians are fasting in the manner described by the Op. In fact, some fast from food for longer periods to get spiritual strength
One learns something every day

I did that google search too. Couldn't find any authoritative historical support or support from any of the acknowledged churches. Individuals yes, what I would describe as "belief offshoots" yes, but no historical tradition whatsoever. The fact that "some christians" choose to do it means nothing.

GCAcademic · 29/03/2025 17:35

Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 17:29

Nope! I worked in special collections so had access to all the books I wanted without having a reader record 😂

It was not needed for staff.

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😂😂😂 You’re hilarious. The amount of shit you’re coming out with in order to not admit you’re talking shit is on another level! Seriously, I admire how shameless you are!

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 29/03/2025 17:35

@Bizjustgotreal I agree 100% with this point. People are very dismissive of faith making these silly comments about sky fairies etc

It seems to me a lot less silly to call an omnipotent being for whose existence there is absolutely zero evidence or proof a sky fairy than it is to believe in and base your whole world view around the made-up rules of such a being.

BitOutOfPractice · 29/03/2025 17:31

So @Wonderingwhyyy if you’ve read all these ancient texts, you know the answer to your question I assume.

Or, you could just admit that you believed what your mate told you that this was still I thing. It’s not.

smallchange · 29/03/2025 17:31

I think the books maybe went to a different school.

Genevieva · 29/03/2025 17:31

Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 17:29

Nope! I worked in special collections so had access to all the books I wanted without having a reader record 😂

It was not needed for staff.

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What happened to the friend? Was the friend a book? Or an imaginary friend with an imaginary book?

Genevieva · 29/03/2025 17:30

HelpMeUnpickThis · 29/03/2025 17:19

@ohnowwhatcanitbe

Interesting.

I am raised Anglican and I dont know anyone who doesn’t fast for Lent.

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In Anglican and we all give up one thing we really like or all sweet treats. My sister always gives up ice cream. No one makes a fuss. You don’t turn down the biscuit and say you can’t have it because it’s Lent. You just say no thank you.

Gonners · 29/03/2025 17:29

I think the Coptic Orthodox Christians may do something like that, but they're based in Egypt.

Original poster
Wonderingwhyyy · 29/03/2025 17:29

GCAcademic · 29/03/2025 17:28

Great, thanks! The books you consulted will be on your reader record. I use that library. So you’ll be able to provide those references after all. Thanks!

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Nope! I worked in special collections so had access to all the books I wanted without having a reader record 😂

It was not needed for staff.

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