to fast during Ramadan even though I'm not a Muslim...

[MrsStrawberry]

Not Muslim, or even religious at all in general. Have many Muslim friends and whilst never tempted to take part before have recently been looking into it more and like the idea behind it... But don't want to mention it to anyone as I think I sound like a pretentious twat

If you want to do it for any reason (doesn't matter what the reason is), then you are welcome to do it. I'm muslim, not very religious. Did fast only on the 1st day, hopefully will do it again soon.
And pp are right here, this year is very tough one, but if you can cope, try...

Good luck!

Cactus - would you be saying all this to a non Christian who wanted to attend midnight Mass?

OP, I can see that there are a couple of people who are really offended you are trying out something new and seem to feel you should be stopped in your tracks no matter what before the Muslim Conversion Police grab ahold of you, but I think it's always good to try new things out. Fasting in Ramadan may be unique to Islam but fasting in itself is not particular to any religion or culture and many of us do it for other health benefits and to practice self control too. You'll be amazed how easy the fasts actually are once you get past the apprehension.

Not suggesting anything Catus, but I will await your appearance on any Christmastime thread when someone who is not a Christian mentions they are going to a seasonal church service.

What about generally celebrating Christmas itself, of Easter? Is that hypocritical if you're not a Christian? Genuine question.
I am an athiest and I celebrate both.

That's some thin skin you've got there Cactus. I only asked you a question and responded to your answer.

CactusAnnie I very, very rarely get to use the term ad hominems on here or in RL. Well played sir, well played.

Good luck MrsStrawberry, wish you all the best!

Here's my tuppence worth.

If it's good for Muslims; whether that be physically, psychologically or spiritually, it's probably good for all of us. Same with meditating, praying, having a day of rest etc. Religious leaders are usually excellent psychologists IMO.

IME religious organisations usually promote the aim of living in a way that is good for everyone. What we wish for ourselves we should wish for everybody. So I'd hope that anyone from any religion would be happy for anyone to take on their religious practices if done for worthwhile reasons.

OP's reasons seem very worthwhile to me.

There's a huge difference between knowing that you're fortunate enough to have plenty to eat (or whatever else you're fortunate to 'have') and being deeply mindful of it to the extent that it influences your behaviour to be more ethical all year round.

I don't see why you can't follow various religious practices if you think they will help you to be healthier, at peace with yourself and more ethical; that's their purpose.

Is there any evidence that muslims fasting for Ramadan does have any influence on moderating behaviour year round ?

Surely far more productive in helping the starving, poor etc would be to go over to a developing country and do something practical. Same with the Hajj pilgrimage. Nothing but a massive revenue raiser for Saudi.

It's nonsensical dogmatic adherence done just because some bloke in the 7th century said to it. Doesn't actually help anyone or achieve anything.

I don't know of any 'evidence' that fasting for Ramadan has an influence on behaviour all year round. I'd be surprised if it didn't go some way towards developing a mind set of being compassionate though. I don't know how you could study the effects.

I don't know if going 'over to a developing country' is the best way to affect positive change either though. Funding the people who live in developing countries to set-up infra- structure, educate etc is probably better in most cases. I'm sure you can fast and do practical things anyway.

Why did "some bloke" say to fast for Ramadan? Probably more than one reason. Religions are necessarily rooted in their time and locale. But human nature is timeless and universal. Dispense with the details for sure, but the underlying aims of (all that I know about) religions is to promote ethical living. It seems to me that rejecting religion per se but hoping for a fairer world is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

"Praying to God several times a day? "

Well yes this could be good for you, interestingly, studies have shown that religious Muslim men don't get bad backs as they stretch the spine every day.
Isnt that fascinating just by the by?

I don't see that OP is doing any harm by fasting for the period of Ramadan. If it weren't Ramadan now, would she be fasting? I'd guess not. As far as I can see that's where the organised bit of organised religions does its work; the disciplines promote an ethical mindset as the default setting which is brought about by regularly praying/meditating/giving offerings/daily gratitudes etc. The supportive network of a like-minded community encourages ethical thinking and action.

I realise that some religious groups have some misogynistic and homophobic beliefs. Religious institutions tend to be conservative and behind the times. But no institution is perfect. Given time I hope that more and more organised religions will interpret their scriptures in a way that promotes equality.

FWIW I too have reservations about 'following' "some bloke in the 7th century, or a rich guy who supposedly thought he had cracked the secret of inner peace, or a guy who claimed to be the son of God etc. I'm an atheist FWIW. Btw Buddhism is a non-theistic religion. But it strikes me that they all have basically the same values: ie be compassionate to human beings, look after each other and yourself, live in a way that promotes peaceful co-existence. Don't be greedy, think about the reasons for the way you behave, remember that your actions have consequences. It seems like a good idea to use the insight of organised religions to live ethically.

I'm very interested in your view that 'cherry-picking' from organised religions is a "twisted, 21st-century late-capitalist view of religions". I'd like to think the Christian vicar (minister) delivering a sermon is glad that I hear it and try to take on his aim, even though I don't believe that I will sit at God's right hand as a result, that my Muslim neighbour feels valued and therefore in a (psychologically) good place to value her neighbours when I give her a present for Eid even though I don't celebrate it, that a Buddhist mitra is heartened at my unskilful attempts to develop a mindset of loving kindness to all human beings. But maybe I'm just being arrogant.

Thank goodness for organised religions - we need something to counter the endless tirade of commercialism and individualistic striving because we're worth it. Apparently we're all entitled to a marvellous life now. The use of words (in the public domain) denoting ethics or morals has decreased in the last thirty years. Arguably we need religions more than ever. How fantastic that in the 21st century we all have a greater knowledge of many religions; all with their underlying aim of promoting a peaceful, considerate, caring community.

All I know is that I am working with doctors this week who have evil breath and the right arse.

Not much experience of being around religious Muslims, except for my next-door neighbour, who I don't know well. Very few jewish people here. Lots of experience of Christians. I used to believe in a Christian God. I have a Christian friend who has some homophobic beliefs. Apart from that I value her judgment; she is forgiving, kind, principled, fair (and highly educated and doing a very responsible job.) I feel lucky to have her as a friend. She is pleased that I've been going to a Buddhist centre recently btw.

I take your point about the raison d'etre of monotheistic religions as GOD. And his laws, but the effect of genuinely practising these religions is usually to the benefit of the whole community IMO. They are an antidote to the pressures of materialism, the over sexualisation of our society and the cult of the individual. IMO.

My impression is that the original religious leaders and the writers of the scriptures were basically ethical people, albeit products of the times they lived in, who understood the challenges of living in communities and taught practices which cultivate a healthy attitude. IMO the difficulty of not having a connection with any organised group or set of scriptures is that you will only listen to the morals you're already interested in.

Do you vote Cactus? I assume you don't agree with all the policies of any one party.

windchime no pain no gain!

People who describe themselves as having a 'faith' are less likely to have suffer from depression than people of no faith.

But our increasingly secular society is less tolerant of people with physical 'imperfections', elderly people and anyone who presents as 'odd'.

I'm hopeful that theistic religions will change their views on gay people and women, CofE is moving in the right direction.

FWIW it's no more rational to be an atheist than anything else. We don't know how the universe began or what happens after we die. It's possible to be arrogantly scientistic and lacking any wisdom. Knowledge is not the same as understanding.

I went through a long phase of being annoyed by organised religion, probably because I hadn't yet developed enough wisdom to understand the importance of cultivating the ability to be forgiving and the need to live a balanced life and that being at peace with myself will enable me to live more ethically, benefitting everyone. Faith is partly a habit, IMO. I used to think you either had it or you didn't but now I think it can be cultivated, nurtured and encouraged to be strong like any other habit or muscle.

It's patronising of you to explain that my "religious friend is homophobic", if you don't mind me saying so. Of course she is, she believes that God's plan is for men and women to marry to create a stable family. Gay marriage 'undermines' that. I am not claiming to speak for muslims or members of any other religions. I don't share their beliefs, but I like to think I share most of their values. But my reading of Alain de Botton (atheist philosopher sympathetic to religions for anyone who doesn't know), interest in psychology and morality and my exposure to Christian and Buddhist scriptures have led me to the conclusion that the reasoning behind the narratives of the major religions is to promote peaceful, healthy co-existence with our fellow human beings.

I suspect you'd have more sympathy for organised religion if you had more in depth knowledge of religious scriptures.

Religious leaders are highly educated. They understand that some of the details of the scriptures are a function of the times they were written in. That's why they are modernised and re-interpreted from time to time.

People who have rejected religion are not intellectually superior to people who hold religious beliefs. (They might be naturally more optimistic)

Could you explain what you meant about "21st century, late capitalist view of religion"? I'm genuinely interested as I realise that I too am a product of my times.