<p>Participating in Lent is a lot more than just making some sort of food resolution, though. That’s my gripe about the band-wagoners. Anyone who wants to understand Lent better, I can send a link to a great radio interview that is very practical and down to earth. It’s not short- but it really explains what Lent is all about.</p>
<p>I understand Lent about as well as anyone, with a Catholic school education through college, and a devout Catholic upbringing, I can’t see why I’d ever have a gripe because someone somewhere gave up Diet Coke in order to join in with the crowd. I actually don’t see a crowd anywhere, giving up things to be in the “In Crowd.” I believe that depriving yourself of something can be a good, spiritual thing, even if you don’t believe, and even if you don’t take it seriously. I think it’s perfectly fine to dip your toes into a belief system, and that it’s not offensive, unless you are making fun of the practice.</p>
<p>Well said HotCanary. </p>
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<p>I “participated” until my sophomore year of college and I’ve been an agnostic/atheist since I was a freshmen in high school. It felt cleansing when I participated in Lent as a Catholic (from K-8) and I continued on with the practice. If that makes me a band-wagoner, so be it. </p>
<p>I’d probably still participate except that I didn’t know until this thread that Lent had started lol. </p>
<p>Although I normally am irritated by inaccurate language, I didnt really take OPs question " what are you giving up for Lent" to only apply to confirmed Catholics.
If that * was* what was intended, I apologize.
After all in our culture we adopt holidays all the time.
St. Patricks Day, Cinco de Mayo, Fat Tuesday and I know many people who aren’t Christian, but they celebrate Christmas. Even Holi has been usurped by the masses.
I admit to cobbling together different traditions that I have borrowed from elsewhere given that my ancestors most striking feature was that they have been Protestant for 500 yrs, & Protestants arent known for their use of ritual.
Since they fled France because of persecution, they likely would be horrified that I used a Catholic term, so I again apologize to all.
But since Catholics have adopted a great many rituals themselves from other religions, namely Pagan, Im not really understanding the fuss.</p>
<p>I know quite a few non Catholics who give up something for Lent. Most do it because they want to better themselves in some way and find this a good time. My son uses this time to eat only things that are good for his body. He’s pretty darn healthy already but at this time, there are no processed foods, no unnatural anything. I can’t see how he’s harming anybody by doing this. </p>
<p>I understand Lent as well as anyone having been raised Catholic. I am not offended by his choosing this time of year to better himself in some way. Can’t understand why somebody elses choices would affect me.</p>
<p>"I’d probably still participate except that I didn’t know until this thread that Lent had started lol. "</p>
<p>I rest my case.</p>
<p>Lent isn’t a “holiday”. </p>
<p>Catholics are not the only ones who observe Lent. Again- education needed here. I am Episcopalian. My daughter is an Episcopal priest. </p>
<p>Perhaps choosing to give up judging others would be appropriate. </p>
<p>Although I certainly can’t speak for God, I would think He’d appreciate anyone “doing something for Lent” no matter where they are in faith. </p>
<p>Seriously…churches, temples, etc aren’t museums for saints…they’re hospitals for sinners. Anything that can bring a believer or non-believer to “think outside oneself” is a plus. </p>
<p>And, yes, Catholics are not the only ones who observe Lent, although that seems to be what most people are familiar with because of the “no meat on Friday,” etc. Yes, Episcopalians and some other “high church” denominations have also observed Lent. In more recent years, we have seen more and more “low church” (and that isn’t meant to sound derogatory, it’s not) denominations begin to observe Lent. (High Church denoms usually have a liturgy, while Low Church denoms usually do not…so the term describes the worship service)</p>
<p>Perhaps giving up being stupid would be apprpriate!</p>
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<p>+1!</p>
<p>Also, it’s a bunch of hooey that people don’t observe Jewish traditions and whatnot. I distinctly remember a thread not too long ago where plenty of non-Jews said they observed Kosher for non-religious reasons. I suppose that shouldn’t be looked at favorably either. 8-| </p>
<p>I normally don’t give up anything for Lent, having felt in the past that it would be out of wrong motivations on my part and kind of “gimmicky.” However, this year I felt strongly convicted to give up coffee. So I am coffee-free, and using my thoughts of coffee as springboards to refocusing myself on the Lord.</p>
<p>I welcome anyone else - Christian or not - along for the ride. Who am I to judge the heart of another? </p>
<p>Apparently observing Lent does not make one more tolerant of others. Again…I don’t see how a non Christian giving something up for Lent whether they observe or not hurts anybody else. </p>
<p>^^
I agree. do we really think God is up there thinking, “hey, you’re not a X, you shouldn’t be doing Y.” </p>
<p>^ While I don’t believe in a God anymore, that is always the impression I got when I was in a Catholic school and from being raised by my non-Catholic but theist mother. </p>
<p>It always amazes me at how people think they can speak for God (broadly defined). It’s just such hubris to me. (Was hubris one of the 7 deadly sins? I can’t remember.)</p>
<p>Hubris = pride, which is sometimes considered the worst sin, as it underlies all the rest. </p>
<p>I do have a question about non-Jews keeping kosher. Do they actually keep all the kosher laws? Or are they simply giving up pork and shellfish? Truly keeping kosher is a complicated business (not mixing meat and dairy, only buying certified kosher food, etc.), and why someone who isn’t a devout Jew would do that is beyond me!</p>
<p>(Just so you know where I’m coming from, I was raised as a Reform Jew and am now an Episcopalian.)</p>
<p>I can’t answer that, I just remember the thread! Lol
Although, I know there are differing levels of “keeping kosher” from simply buying kosher meat to having completely separate kitchens! </p>
<p>How 'bout not giving up something FOR Lent, but giving it up DURING lent? That takes the away judgment against nonbelievers for participating in what others see as a spiritual practice and not a seasonal tradition.</p>
<p>For us Protestants, giving something up is to make room for something else…or to make us mindful of something else. Giving up reading mystery novels to spend time in prayer or reading devotional materials; when thinking how much you want a piece of chocolate reminding you of all that Jesus gave up; stuff like that.</p>
<p>Non-Christians can come along for the exercise in self-discipline for whatever reasons they choose.</p>
<p>Perhaps giving up being stupid would be appropriate </p>
<p>How proud you must make your daughter with your acceptance of others views. </p>
<p>Yep- you are right. It is not right for me to be arguing about Lent during Lent. I did read her some of the comments on this thread and she agreed with me about the stupidity. She has stopped reading comments on articles during Lent for this very reason. It’s too aggravating and unhealthy.</p>
<p>I have no problem with non-Christians wanting to understand Lent and engage in a discipline. Many people meditate or do centering prayer without being sure what they think about God, Jesus or whatever. That’s not the vibe I got from many of these posts. It is more “Oh, wow, did Lent start? Maybe I should give up candy! I haven’t lost that 5 pounds from the holidays yet! Gee- what is that black stuff on people’s foreheads? Oh- they do that? Those Catholics…” I don’t believe a number of the posters on this thread are trying to engage in an exercise of self-discipline or are exploring a different belief system. That’s just a bunch of BS. Romani exemplifies exactly what is wrong with the whole picture. And if you don’t like what I’m saying- that’s just a real shame. It’s the internet. There’s probably an ignore button somewhere.</p>
<p>As someone half-jokingly posted on FB “I hope I see as many people at church on Ash Wednesday as I am seeing at the pancake suppers on Shrove Tuesday!” </p>