What are you giving up for Lent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to give up ice cream.

Then I learned that you don't have to fast on Sundays during Lent so I'd gorge on ice cream on Sundays.

That seemed stupid, so I just gave up fasting altogether.

Ha? In which church is this?

Um, the Catholic Church?

Why do you always start with 'um?' Yeah, we know it's you.

You must be the poster who uses "we" as if you're communicating offline people on the thread and that they agree with you.

DP and I agree to her, so you can include me in her “we”

Are you in communication off-line?

[Anonymous]

Ugh, these answers are just so . . . . not in the spirit (most of them). Who cares about sweets and TV? Staying off of social media?

Do something powerful and more in the spirit . . . most of the things identified are really not significant sacrifices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drawing attention to myself by being visibly devout during certain times of year.

Bingo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, these answers are just so . . . . not in the spirit (most of them). Who cares about sweets and TV? Staying off of social media?

Do something powerful and more in the spirit . . . most of the things identified are really not significant sacrifices.

Like prayer? God would like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:News stories today that the pope was visibly sick yesterday at Ash Wednesday services, touching all those people...

If people get sick from interacting with the Pope, it was God's will.

Why troll every page of this thread? You should find something productive to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:News stories today that the pope was visibly sick yesterday at Ash Wednesday services, touching all those people...

If people get sick from interacting with the Pope, it was God's will.

Why troll every page of this thread? You should find something productive to do.

What would it be, if not God's will?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, these answers are just so . . . . not in the spirit (most of them). Who cares about sweets and TV? Staying off of social media?

Do something powerful and more in the spirit . . . most of the things identified are really not significant sacrifices.

I agree. I'm not religious and many of these things are what I give up for Lent.

I grew up in a predominantly Catholic area so I give up something for Lent as an ingrained cultural practice and also because I agree with the concept philosophically (not the God part but the introspection part).

If I give up alcohol and sugar, for example, for Lent and my family has never been religious, I'd think that members of the church should take it to the next level. One of my kids is doing a positive action for Lent. He's doing something that's scary for him and is devoting time to practicing diligently.

Don't let the atheists beat you at your own game. Think bigger.

[Anonymous]

Fear.

[Anonymous]

I'm giving up denying myself fun and pleasurable things I enjoy doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, these answers are just so . . . . not in the spirit (most of them). Who cares about sweets and TV? Staying off of social media?

Do something powerful and more in the spirit . . . most of the things identified are really not significant sacrifices.

I agree. I'm not religious and many of these things are what I give up for Lent.

I grew up in a predominantly Catholic area so I give up something for Lent as an ingrained cultural practice and also because I agree with the concept philosophically (not the God part but the introspection part).

If I give up alcohol and sugar, for example, for Lent and my family has never been religious, I'd think that members of the church should take it to the next level. One of my kids is doing a positive action for Lent. He's doing something that's scary for him and is devoting time to practicing diligently.

Don't let the atheists beat you at your own game. Think bigger.

Honest question: why are atheists giving anything up for Lent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drawing attention to myself by being visibly devout during certain times of year.

Bingo.

It was really funny - when I came back to work after Ash Wednesday service, a few coworkers asked where I'd been (I'd taken more than an hour). I told them, and they asked where the ashes were (I always wipe them off). They really didn't get it, but I see no need to parade my faith around. They know I'm a Christian. I don't need to be the pharisee praying on the street corner.

[Anonymous]

Paying for books on Amazon kindle (forcing myself to get them through the e-library). May seem small, but it actually goes to spending more mindfully and wisely.

Also, my church is doing an Eco-pledge for Lent, and my family has signed up for a number of actions that we are taking that are focused on climate and the environment.

[Anonymous]

Getting coffee out (I will make it at home). I didn't realize how much I would miss that little indulgence/afternoon break from work! But at least I'll be saving some $$$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, these answers are just so . . . . not in the spirit (most of them). Who cares about sweets and TV? Staying off of social media?

Do something powerful and more in the spirit . . . most of the things identified are really not significant sacrifices.

I agree. I'm not religious and many of these things are what I give up for Lent.

I grew up in a predominantly Catholic area so I give up something for Lent as an ingrained cultural practice and also because I agree with the concept philosophically (not the God part but the introspection part).

If I give up alcohol and sugar, for example, for Lent and my family has never been religious, I'd think that members of the church should take it to the next level. One of my kids is doing a positive action for Lent. He's doing something that's scary for him and is devoting time to practicing diligently.

Don't let the atheists beat you at your own game. Think bigger.

Honest question: why are atheists giving anything up for Lent?

In part because I was raised around it. Mostly, though, because I view it as a time of reflection and as a designated time period to reset something in my life that I might want to reset. Human psychology is pretty big on starting things on a date of significance. Like, re-starting your diet on a Monday or "spring cleaning."

I think religion contains a lot of good ideas. A designated time period of self-reflection and challenging yourself to do something positive in your life or in the lives of others is a good one.

[Anonymous]

Social contact.