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.

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!

Oooh. Stuff online. Well that confirms it then. Stuff online must be true and all the people telling you otherwise are wrong.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

I think the books maybe went to a different school.

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.

@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.

😂😂😂 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!

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.

what seriously as in no food all day?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Africa’s a big place.

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

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.

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).

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.

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.