I have a friend who frequently gives up coffee during Lent. I think that's a great modern take on self-denial.
I grew up atheist and had more exposure to Jewish rituals than the religious Christian ones (because Jewish religious rituals got explained in schools but Christian ones didn't). So when people say "fast" I think, you don't eat. Then I found out that when Christians say "fast" they mean you don't eat meat - and by meat, we only mean beef, but pork and chicken and fish are okay. (Actually, I'm not sure about the pork now.) I was like, whoah, Christians are wimps compared to Jews! ;-)
(This is akin to the time I decided football players were wimps compared to hockey players, because football players only play once a week. I modified that opinion when I realized how common concussions were in football.)
I hear that when Muslims fast they can't smoke or drink water or brush their teeth - nothing goes in your mouth. I think Jews are a bit more permissive than that.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-03-01 04:52 pm (UTC)I grew up atheist and had more exposure to Jewish rituals than the religious Christian ones (because Jewish religious rituals got explained in schools but Christian ones didn't). So when people say "fast" I think, you don't eat. Then I found out that when Christians say "fast" they mean you don't eat meat - and by meat, we only mean beef, but pork and chicken and fish are okay. (Actually, I'm not sure about the pork now.) I was like, whoah, Christians are wimps compared to Jews! ;-)
(This is akin to the time I decided football players were wimps compared to hockey players, because football players only play once a week. I modified that opinion when I realized how common concussions were in football.)
I hear that when Muslims fast they can't smoke or drink water or brush their teeth - nothing goes in your mouth. I think Jews are a bit more permissive than that.