to wonder why Lent fasting has become so diluted?

[Wonderingwhyyy]

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.

We didn't make up the idea. I am not Christian. She is. I researched it and this was the traditional form of fasting for Christians.

Maybe you could give up making assumptions?

Well AFAIK "Mardi Gras" on Shrove Tuesday - the day before Lent starts is a celebration of feasting before the fasting.

Is this a thinly veiled Christianity is dying out in this country post?

Because you have chosen a very archaic niche point to make if so

That is fairly traditional. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are traditionally a full fast. The rest of Lent, except Sundays, falls under abstention. That usually includes cutting out meat, dairy, maybe eggs, and people usually had one meal a day.

I’ve an Anglo-Catholic background and have never heard of extreme fasting practices like that. The most people do might be the traditional giving up chocolate, cakes, biscuits etc , but that more for dieting rather than religious reasons. Agree with the posters who said it sounds more like Ramadan.

"We didn't make up the idea. I am not Christian. She is. I researched it and this was the traditional form of fasting for Christians."

Do please share this research, any links?

Why are you obsessed with what Christians do? Are you a theology scholar?

It is dying out. I have not chosen to make this post to demonstrate that. Churches all around are closing all the time. Attendance is dropping. That is clear to see already.

Christian fasting in Lent is about developing disciplines and habits that help you to be closer to God. So, if you have a tendency to spend a fair amount of time on your phone, fasting from Facebook and spending that time reading the bible is a great thing to do.
Christian fasting is not about obeying rules and one-upmanship about who is suffering the most. I can't imagine any Christian laughing at a fellow Christian about what they have personally decided to do in Lent.

I'm an Eastern Orthodox Christian and our traditional fasting rules are stricter than Catholic ones, and haven't changed through the years, and still what you've described is bonkers. Basically it's no meat, fish or dairy throughout Lent and black fasting on Good Friday and maybe a couple of other days. Your friend has adopted Ramadan rules.

Why do you think I am obsessed with Christians? I had a chat with a Christian and it got me thinking and I made a post. If someone makes a post about their DH, does that mean they are obsessed with them?

I’m not the least bit religious - in fact I have very strong views against it. But, the only little tiny bit that has stayed with me is giving something up for lent.
I have no idea why, but each year, my mum, sister and I all choose things to give up ( not Facebook, it’s always food and/or alcohol)

It makes no sense, and has lost all its connotations with religion, morphing into more of a family tradition I guess.

Why is it bonkers? The rules around fasting have changed.

She hasn't adopted Ramadan rules.

I have several friends who are Christian and they have never fasted for Lent.
Perhaps it depends on the type of church people go to. I think it might be more common in the Catholic church

Technically, there are only two days of abstinence in the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. It used to include Fridays but this was removed as an expectation post Vatican II. Most Catholics will try to give up something for Lent, from sweets, biscuits or cigarettes to alcohol, so refusing a pleasure or doing something as a sacrifice. So in answer to your question, post 1965 at the end of Vatican II.

I know Christians of many backgrounds from around the world and not one fasts like you describe.

Where did you ‘research’ this? It hasn’t been done by the overwhelming majority of any stripe of mainstream Christianity for over 1500 years!

Your friend is very wrong. Catholicism has a great historical record and Ramadan style fasting has never been a thing.

www.britannica.com/topic/Lent

I am a christian and I have never heard of this. Not do I know anyone who does it. Just because your friend does it and seems to think this is a tradition, doesn't make it a fact.

Not a new thing, late 70's I used to give up chocolate not crisps, reason being I didn't really care for chocolate as a child but liked crisps.

This

I went to private catholic convent school in the 70's and I didn't know you were supposed to fast, I know in the story Jesus does. I can't remember the nuns saying they fasted but perhaps they hit us less in lent as they were weaker!

Was this some Christian down the pub OP?

There are no rules to change - Christians pray about and make their own decisions about what they will give up or take up for Lent. It isn't like Ramadan in terms of everyone following the same rules.

No.