What Are You Giving Up For Lent?

[jrs]

Since today is Lent, we all should deny ourselves things of lesser priority to show us that they are not necessary, and focus our attention on what is necessary.
The question is what are you giving up (denying yourself of) this holy season??

Honestly I couldn't think of anything before today. I feel terrible. :(

[greentea]

Since today is Lent, we all should deny ourselves things of lesser priority to show us that they are not necessary, and focus our attention on what is necessary.
The question is what are you giving up (denying yourself of) this holy season??

Honestly I couldn't think of anything before today. I feel terrible. :(

Thanks for the reminder.

[runningscared]

I handed in my notice so I guess I'm giving up work......at least till I find somewhere new :(

[jrs]

Gee, noone else here celebrate lent?

[Piddzilla]

What the hell is lent?

[Caitlyn]

What the hell is lent?


The Season of Lent is the 45 day period leading up to Easter… it is a time for soul searching and repentance…

[Piddzilla]

Oooh what we call "fastan" in Sweden. Is it? You're not supposed to eat or something?

[Caitlyn]

Oooh what we call "fastan" in Sweden. Is it? You're not supposed to eat or something?


Yes, it's the same thing... :)

[jrs]

What are you giving up these 45 days Cait' ?

[Piddzilla]

Yeah, we have it hear too, only no one knows or give a damn about it. I'm having pancakes for dinner and that's it.

[Sedai]

Not a thing, as I don't practice. I have, however, all but given up drinking, even socially. This was because I just didn't like it anymore, and it doesn't really give you anything of value as far as expanded creativity while drunk etc. Not that I had a problem with it before, as I only drank on occasion, but as I have gotten older, it has lost it's luster.

_S

[jrs]

Not a thing, as I don't practice.


Man, does anyone?

[Caitlyn]

What are you giving up these 45 days Cait' ?


So far, blood.... I gave a pint this morning...

[CujoLink]

I'm giving up Jesus ;)

[Henry The Kid]

I don't give anything up for lent, per se, because I don't agree with the whole...religion thing. Anyway, I do agree with giving up something important to you to be more grateful or something unhealthy but that you enjoy doing. I figured I'd stop drinking soda this time, which is surprisingly difficult for me.

[Caitlyn]

I don't give anything up for lent, per se, because I don't agree with the whole...religion thing. Anyway, I do agree with giving up something important to you to be more grateful or something unhealthy but that you enjoy doing. I figured I'd stop drinking soda this time, which is surprisingly difficult for me.


I tried giving up soda a few years ago and went into caffeine withdrawals… I never even realized how addictive those things can be until then… good luck.... :) This year I am trying to give up sugar and so far, it’s not too easy either…

[SystemicAnomaly]

i'm giving up masterbation

[Hondo333]

Never heard of it before today,

[allthatglitters]

most of the christian churches at leats non-denominational (heh- get that our denomination is non-denominational) do not do lent, i never have at least and really although i understand and respect it i don't agree with the theology and reasoning that supports it

[LordSlaytan]

I thought Lent was a Jewish ritual.

[jrs]

Oh my God no.

Anyways, I think this thread has gone long enough, because why talk about something that noone HERE believes in /or even heard of Lent. Which is a shame.

[Henry The Kid]

Oh my God no.

Anyways, I think this thread has gone long enough, because why talk about something that noone HERE believes in /or even heard of Lent. Which is a shame.

Heh.

[LordSlaytan]

I had to look it up:

40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting

I have never belonged to either of these denominations. Sorry.

[Golgot]

This year I am trying to give up sugar and so far, it’s not too easy either…

Woah. Tricky one. (is this my fault again? ;)). Do you mean giving up things with added sugar or something? Or like, not adding it to your coffee? ;)

[birdygyrl]

I'm going to follow the no meat on Fridays......lots of fish in my future! I think I may even go to church............before Easter. :rolleyes:

[Caitlyn]

I think the season of Lent is a bit confusing for a lot of people who are not Catholic or one of the other practicing denominations… but Lent dates as far back as the 4th century (I think)… The time before Lent is called Carnival (taken from the Latin carne vale meaning to give up the flesh) and begins with the Epiphany (Twelfth Night) and ends with Mardi Gras which literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French… Traditionally, during the season of Lent, followers abstain from eating meat and dairy products… so Fat Tuesday is a day of celebration and feasting to prepare for the coming fast…

It wasn't just a coincidence that The Passion opened on Ash Wednesday... ;)




Woah. Tricky one. (is this my fault again? ;)). Do you mean giving up things with added sugar or something? Or like, not adding it to your coffee? ;)

Yes, very tricky… and I mean refined sugar… and yes, you are partly to blame but Native Americans are prone to diabetes… so… I decided it might be in my best interest to make a few changes now… the first thing I’ve noticed is how many products actually contain sugar… :(

[CrazyforMovies]

Well last year I tried to give up chocolates and that did not last long, I'm giving up meat ; yup going veggie and will fill up on meat once the lent has finished. So how's a BigMac with the the meat ??just the bun and veggies? Yup not bad.

[Golgot]

...the first thing I’ve noticed is how many products actually contain sugar… :(

Best legal addictive substance known to food manufacturers ;). Ahh, just gorge yourself on fruit :)

[Caitlyn]

Best legal addictive substance known to food manufacturers ;). Ahh, just gorge yourself on fruit :)


Believe me... I have been... and also fresh veggies... :D

[jrs]

noone HERE believes in /or even heard of Lent.

I am sorry if I mentioned or blamed people here. I shouldn't compare my beliefs with everyone else's.

[Henry The Kid]

I heard somewhere that Lent wasn't actually developed until the 1800's. I actually heard that from a history teacher, so I don't know.

There are rumours that it was originally developed to help fish salesmen.

[Caitlyn]

I heard somewhere that Lent wasn't actually developed until the 1800's. I actually heard that from a history teacher, so I don't know.

There are rumours that it was originally developed to help fish salesmen.


There is a lot of info on the net about the history... This site gives a simple brief history if anyone is interested...


The Beginning of Lent (http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/easter/lent.html)

[jamesglewisf]

I grew up Catholic, but now I'm Baptist. I guess you could say I gave up Catholicism for lent. ;)

I think the idea behind lent is an excellent one - introduce some discipline into your life that is a daily reminder of how much Christ gave up for us. Way to go, Caitlyn!

The thing that annoys me most is how many good things are co-opted by society. For instance, the idea of Fat Tuesday and Carnival/Mardi Gras are kind of stupid now. Let's see how much we can over-indulge the day/weeks before we decide to celebrate Lent. I'm drunk and naked for Jesus!!!! Woo-hooo! It's pathetic.

[Golgot]

The thing that annoys me most is how many good things are co-opted by society. For instance, the idea of Fat Tuesday and Carnival/Mardi Gras are kind of stupid now. Let's see how much we can over-indulge the day/weeks before we decide to celebrate Lent. I'm drunk and naked for Jesus!!!! Woo-hooo! It's pathetic.

I don't think that's such a modern phenomenon. Many modern festivals have pagan roots, and i know that in the past there were plenty of indulge-then-fast celebrations. There's probably something to be said for both things.

[The Silver Bullet]

I'm giving up Christianity.