LENT

That is a very valid point !

It's not just a question of giving up something - you should also do something positive. I always give up alcohol and meat - the money I save goes to charity.

As soon as I decide to give up something eg chocolate or wine, that's when I can't stop thinking about it. Normally I wouldn't keep hankering after it.

Practice makes perfect. Perhaps if we try during lent it will become a habit. I am still trying forbearance with DH. Not always failing miserably.

It's good for us to deny ourselves something now and then. So I'm giving up peanut butter to which I have a serious addiction. Finger dipping in the jar late at night... I'm a disgrace!

Too soon after 'Dry January' for me

Now ducking out of shooting range.

If a thing (e.g. this self-denial thing) is worth doing, it's worth doing all the time to varying degrees, I reckon. So typical of religion to make a big issue out of ordinary everyday good behaviour choices that people without religion make all the time just because they are decent people.

have never done lent, GS 7 has given up Chocolate ! hmm not sure if he knows exactly what is involved

Feeling you have to and having to aren't the same thing. Giving things up is supposed to be better as I tried to explain. It has a purpose beyond giving things up. And moaning about Lent is a kind of boasting. I know Muslims who moan about Ramadan but they still fast dusk to dawn, no joke in the British summer. If you don't want to do it, you don't.

lilygranI can only speak for the people that I used to know, and back in the 50's and 60's those people were all Roman Catholics and they all gave up things for Lent and they all moaned about it. It was not done because they wanted to I can tell you.I did say in my post that I have no arguement with those who want to give things up, merely that I find it a waste of time. I believe I am allowed my own opinion?Saying you 'don't have to' is not true for Catholics, because they feel they do have to.Having the frugal lunch and putting money in a box for charity is good but is not giving things up for Lent is it?It's better.This is a more modern idea and I think many church congregations do it.If you read my posts on different threads, I think you will find that I am not a great 'criticiser' nonnie and indeed I am not criticising any person here or in the real world that wants to give something up for Lent, but that I find it a waste of time.Don't think I can be any clearer than that.

Last year I gave up Gransnet for Lent. Didn't even take a look let alone post.

Most major religions have an element of self-denial and the purpose is to help the participant to concentrate on non-material things for a while. Fasting with the intention of losing weight or just giving up something you like won't do the trick. Doing good / giving something instead is often part of the process. In my church and many others we have a 'frugal lunch' and put what we would have spent on an ordinary lunch in the charity box. Even if you usually only have a frugal lunch, the intention is to share what you have with the less fortunate. You don't 'have to' anything, roses, it's a matter of choice.

Looked at the list again. I don't think I could do peace. And I've already failed at forbearance - again.

roses I know more non-catholics than catholics who either give something up or do something special for lent. The point for many people is to prove to themselves that they have the self discipline to do whatever it is they have chosen. Surely that is a good thing regardless of whether they stop at Easter?

I just don't see why it is something for those who don't do it to criticise. What do people get out of criticising others? Perhaps that is something some could give up and not just for lent?

Since it's mainly Roman Catholics who go in for this [plus some high church vicars and congregations] it's done more because they feel they have to than by wanting or needing self discipline. Just like they 'have to' go to mass. Wouldn't be a bad thing for overweight people to give up choc bars or cake, but they can do that anyway for a diet, doesn't have to be for Lent.I have no arguement for anyone who wants to give up food [or anything else] either for Lent or Ramadan, but you have to realise it's just a made up by 'man' thing, and we were given a good brain to think for ourselves.Giving up choc will do nothing for your spirituality or even your self discipline as you will be back on it eagerly just as soon as you can.Another thing that I cannot understand is how willingly people follow dietary laws in religion! When you think about it, it's crazy.We are designed to eat anything that will keep us alive.The only ones who should decide what we eat is us ourselves.

Self-discipline ?
never a bad thing !

I haven't ever given up anything for Lent. Although I was brought up as a Catholic [long gone] my Mother used to say mysteriously that 'children shouldn't have to give up anything' [even though at school they said we should.] As I trusted her judgement a lot more than the school, I was more than happy to go with that verdict.Can't honestly see what good it does anyone, child or adult.

Does it?

Ah that explains it jingl .....

It might have been good MiceElf if you had made it clear you were not advocating giving up any of those admirable qualities.

*Maggie ,7.57
Well , that is the general idea ,

Reading this thread makes me realise how Lent has been trivialised & turned into another bit of harmless fun completely devoid of any real meaning. I wonder what we have lost & what would happen if we returned to a deeper understanding and practice of it, whether Christian or not.

I'm with the doing something brigade. Also think it would be good if everyone on GN could be pleasant just until Easter but suppose that is too much to ask?