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Original poster

to admire religious fasting for its discipline and commitment?

279 replies

catchingup1 · 23/03/2026 15:20

I’ve been thinking about this lately, especially with Ramadan just gone and the dry fasting of 24 hours by Jews and Mormons.

I can't help feeling impressed. Not in a gushy way, just genuinely. Going without food and water for long periods, while still getting on with normal life, work, family etc takes a level of willpower and discipline that I don’t think most people have.

It’s not even just the physical side. It’s the restraint, the routine, the intention behind it. The fact that people are doing it for something bigger than themselves, not just for a diet or health trend.

It's not just people who’ve grown up with it. There are converts every year across different religions who are doing these fasts for the first time as adults. They haven’t had years to “get used to it” and are choosing to take it on anyway. It’s a conscious decision, not just habit.

Even for people who have done it since childhood, plenty still find it challenging every year. It’s not like it becomes effortless, they’re still choosing to stick to it day after day.

Then you read so much now about people struggling with “food noise”, constantly thinking about what to eat next, cravings, snacking, not being able to switch off from it. So the idea of deliberately stepping away from all of that, even for a set period and managing your impulses like that. It does make me respect it.

I’m not saying it makes anyone better than anyone else, just that I admire the self control, discipline and commitment involved.

I came across this about the benefits of dry fasting:

www.bcm.edu/news/dawn-to-dusk-dry-fasting-leads-to-health-benefits-in-the-study-of-immune-cells

OP posts:
Original poster
catchingup1 · 23/03/2026 20:21

Cerialkiller · 23/03/2026 19:27

I'm of the belief that traditions like this, while often set within a religious framework, are actually highly beneficial things that stayed because they were good practices regardless. We are only recently rediscovering how healthy fasting is and the science behind it.

I don't fast for religious reasons but I have to say it's been a real revelation, especially how...fine I feel. Better then fine really. Clear headed, slimmer etc. and that's just 36 hour water fast. It feels empowering and food tastes amazing afterwards.

Edited

Most of the fasting that’s talked about in science isn’t dry fasting. It’s usually intermittent fasting or longer fasts where you’re still drinking water. That’s a big difference. Not eating is one thing, not eating and not drinking is another and it’s not something most health advice really pushes.

So I don’t think it’s quite right to say we’re “rediscovering” religious fasting through science. A 36 hour water fast isn’t really comparable to dry fasting especially when people are still going to work, looking after kids, carrying on as normal.

Also the idea that traditions stuck around because they were healthy feels a bit simplified. A lot of religious practices are about discipline, spirituality, routine, community not just physical health. Any health benefits are more of a side effect than the main reason they exist.

There might be a bit of overlap in terms of self control and giving your body a break, but I wouldn’t say modern “science fasting” and religious fasting are basically the same thing.

OP posts:
Ginor · 23/03/2026 20:17

Yes, I agree.
I grew up in a Christian household and my mum regularly fasted for a day or two at a time.
She didn’t make a big deal of it, in fact none of us kids ever realised she was doing it at the time because it was such a personal, spiritual experience for her. She’d continue to make our meals and prepare food for the family like normal. I did admire that as I got older and began to understand.

BlueMum16 · 23/03/2026 19:35

We were invited to fast during Ramadan to experience what others as part of an inclusivity thing at work.

I wanted to try but struggled with no water all day and by mid afternoon I had to quit.

Hats off to everyone that has the commitment to stick it out.

I used to give something up for Lent when DC were younger but would basically cheat by picking something I didn't really eat like, so maybe biscuits but could still eat chocolate.

Cerialkiller · 23/03/2026 19:27

I'm of the belief that traditions like this, while often set within a religious framework, are actually highly beneficial things that stayed because they were good practices regardless. We are only recently rediscovering how healthy fasting is and the science behind it.

I don't fast for religious reasons but I have to say it's been a real revelation, especially how...fine I feel. Better then fine really. Clear headed, slimmer etc. and that's just 36 hour water fast. It feels empowering and food tastes amazing afterwards.