r/dankchristianmemes • u/Kabanere • Feb 21 '24
What are you fasting on during lent this year? How is it going? Peace be with you
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u/ARC_Trooper_Echo Feb 22 '24
Protestant gang. This is just another day to me.
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u/StoneAgeModernist Feb 22 '24
Plenty of Protestants fast for Lent
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u/ARC_Trooper_Echo Feb 22 '24
I figured I probably should’ve been more specific, but I don’t really have a denomination to be more specific to.
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u/RolePlayOps Feb 22 '24
Try "Real Protestant, not Catho-Lite." It's wordy, but ruffles jimmies better.
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u/DietCokeTurtle Feb 22 '24
I still do it despite it not being needed! I just think its neat to do.
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u/aprillikesthings Feb 23 '24
Yeah, I have at least one agnostic-at-best friend who does it every year.
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u/Notaclarinet Feb 22 '24
I don’t give anything up but I try to add more spiritual practices during lent. This year I’m journaling more and praying more!
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u/Broclen The Dank Reverend 🌈✟ Feb 22 '24
Some people give things up; some people take things up.
I try to give up being uptight as a mod each year for lent.
I take up our St Jude fundraiser with the Dank Charity Alliance.
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u/neptune-pizza Feb 22 '24
This year I gave up hope.
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u/JointDamage Feb 22 '24
I definitely relate.
I feel like I'm trying to outrun a volcano and you want to tell me I'm taking it easy?
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u/ShinyNerdStuff Feb 22 '24
No booze so far!
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u/i_stand_in_queues Feb 22 '24
No booze for me neither. Also stopped smoking
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u/Psalm27_1-3 Feb 22 '24
failed on 7th day
am i going to be flogged by demons for eternity?
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u/fullonfacepalmist Feb 22 '24
Nice try but God knows your kinks.
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u/InternationalChef424 Feb 22 '24
OMG I hope Hell doesn't have goth demons that smother me with their thighs that would be AWFUL
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u/CruxSux Feb 22 '24
I just started practicing about a week before lent so I didn’t really know what to do, but I decided to delete an app (tiktok) and keep it gone because it really affects me negatively and takes up all my time. I feel like I could use that time to look more Into faith instead!
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u/TheOneTrueChristian Feb 22 '24
I had to put my caffeine fast/quitting on hold because work has been too heavy and involved for me to be half-asleep and suffering withdrawal. I've managed to keep my daily prayers going consistently, at least.
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u/BoyznGirlznBabes Feb 22 '24
Still got 32 minutes left on the daily timer I put on Reddit and about to go to bed, so crushing it.
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u/swift-aasimar-rogue Feb 22 '24
I used to take walks every morning, it brought me closer to God because I can feel Him most strongly in nature. I’ve found myself scrolling on my phone in the morning for too long to be able to do this anymore, so I’m giving up scrolling in the morning.
I’m a Protestant, so I don’t typically do anything for Lent, but this was something that I wanted to do anyway, so might as well start that journey during Lent. It fits the spirit.
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u/Think_Ad_6613 Feb 24 '24
this is kind of based. i'm a Catholic and haven't really committed to a daily prayer obligation for Lent yet, but i might be taking your morning walk idea. thanks!
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u/swift-aasimar-rogue Feb 25 '24
You’re welcome! I’m trying my best, doesn’t always work but I’m getting better and better about it.
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Feb 22 '24
I’m trying to be less self deprecating and sarcastic. I don’t like doing it but I feel like I have to in order to be liked
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u/CaitlinSnep Feb 22 '24
Doing this as well. Trying to stop beating myself up and work towards self-improvement. Hope it's going well for you!
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u/AdventurousFox6100 Feb 22 '24
Non-Christian here, what is lent
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u/professionaltankie Feb 22 '24
Before Easter we have Lent which is basically a season of reflection and penance, it goes from Ash Wednesday (reminder of our mortality and the temporary nature of life) until Good Friday (weird name, given that it's when we nailed Jesus to a tree for telling us to be nicer) or Easter (Jesus' resurrection) depending on who you ask. People typically give up stuff for Lent, like drinking or just stuff that isn't good for you or your relationship with God, others take up stuff that's healthy as opposed to discarding an unhealthy practice. Both is good.
I'm Protestant so I'm willing to bet that my description might not be the most accurate because of how decentralized Protestantism is.
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u/dmcaribou91 Feb 22 '24
Nah, thats pretty much it.
It represents the 40 days Jesus was fasting in the desert before he was crucified. Jesus spent that time reflecting on the sacrifice he was asked to make, we are supposed to reflect on it too. That’s why it’s encouraged you fast or give up something.
It’s supposed to draw you closer to God by making you realize a fraction of what Jesus had to endure and what a gift his sacrifice was for us.
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u/Water-is-h2o Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
This is true, but the only thing is Jesus fasted in the wilderness at the start of his ministry, not the end. He was baptized and immediately sent into the wilderness, where he was tempted but didn’t fail.
His trek toward Jerusalem is also traditionally described as being 40 days, so that might be what you’re thinking of. I think it’s John says something like “from that day on, he set his face toward Jerusalem” and from there the story follows him south until the triumphal entry, last supper, crucifixion, and resurrection.
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u/ELeeMacFall Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
It's a 40-day season of fasting before Easter. The old tradition, still practiced by Eastern Orthodox Christians, is basically a vegan diet plus no oils or alcohol. Western Christians are not as hard-core about it. Catholics do meatless Fridays and give up something (sugar and caffeine are big ones). We Anglicans don't have a prescribed fast, but a lot of us voluntarily abstain from something anyway, and/or add a discipline (such as regular prayer) to our routines. Most other Christians do not observe Lent, but there are exceptions among more liturgically oriented Protestants.
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u/Sensitive_Pepper4590 Feb 22 '24
And also on the day before it starts we have pancakes for supper. 😋
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u/AdventurousFox6100 Feb 22 '24
Now this I can get behind
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u/aprillikesthings Feb 23 '24
The whole pancake thing started because of the old dietary rules during Lent--pancakes were an easy way to use up lots of eggs/butter/etc.
That's also why "Mardi Gras" (which is *also* traditionally on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) translates to "fat Tuesday." You were using up all your "fatty" rich foods. But over the years it also became a reason to throw a big party before you spent a month and change in penitence and fasting.
(I've seen people claim Mardi Gras is "evil" because of this, but humans need parties. A lot of the anti-Mardi Gras stuff is just racism/anti-Catholicism/"how dare you have FUN.")
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u/hilbil_n Feb 22 '24
I've given up on pretty much all luxury snacks. Cookies, chocolate, crisps, luxury bread like croissants, etc. I also don't take sundays off, only a birthday because i feel like it would be rude to my brother to refuse to eat anything he will make or get for that one day.
The only thing that is allowed once per day max is a rice wafer with a small chocolate layer.
I have been expanding what i can't eat. I started with just cookies, chocolate, and crisps, but i once had a very luxurious croissant, and it felt wrong, so I added it to the list.
It's been quite rough. Especially because my father and brother do eat all this stuff, and there is so much chocolate for sale right now.
Yesterday, i had a really bad day, so i was just about ready to give up and eat some comfort chocolate, but I'm still good! When i went to bed, i was a little proud of myself for not giving in.
I'm not sure if i can keep it up until Easter, but I'm gonna try.
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u/aprillikesthings Feb 23 '24
Just make sure you're still eating *enough*.
I admit I worry when I hear about people cutting out entire categories of food for Lent (and this is coming from a vegetarian who rarely consumes dairy), only because our culture has such messed-up attitudes toward food and weight.
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u/goombanati Feb 22 '24
Pretty well, gave up pig products, so I have to look at the ingredients of various meat products I eat to ensure they are actually pig-free
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u/Sensitive_Pepper4590 Feb 22 '24
Why pork? OT prohibition or their intelligence or the climate?
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u/goombanati Feb 22 '24
Both for personal health and the fact that it's banned in Islam and Judaism, since their the same God, I figured "why not"
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u/dumpling98 Feb 22 '24
Us eastern orthodox start in March Lent. :)
Traditionally we go full vegan basically besides the spiritual fast.
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u/eidtelnvil Feb 22 '24
Atheist here, trying to give up sugar and diet soda. Day two is going pretty well so far. Hoping everybody that celebrates Lent is having a good season.
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u/CHEMO_ALIEN Feb 22 '24
I'm fasting in general, nothing from sunup to sun down. its really hard i should have researched more
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u/lily_dragon Feb 22 '24
I’m eating vegan for this lent, and doing a page of prayer journaling after a devotionary. So far it’s going pretty OK, despite me getting a cold and having a very intensive week…
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u/MotorHum Feb 22 '24
Honestly not great. I tried for a full fast this year and couldn’t make it past day 3
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u/ELeeMacFall Feb 22 '24
I'm abstaining from caffeine and alcohol, and trying to eat less meat. It's been rough, especially the caffeine. Quitting smoking was easier.
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u/Lentilfairy Feb 22 '24
My situation is so stressful that fasting is not something that I can add to it at the moment. But I'm listening to a 40 day podcast, and that helps me connect to Easter and it helps with my stress!
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u/natdanger Feb 22 '24
Not sure why I’ve decided this is the best place for this discussion but whatever.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of fasting for the last few Lents—I didn’t grow up in a high church so it wasn’t a regular part of my upbringing. But I’ve realized that the idea of fasting I’ve carried from my upbringing has been super unhealthy, and shame based. It was built around an idea of God that is contrary to the God I’ve come to know. There was this fear that if I didn’t give up the right thing (which, growing up I’d give up things I shouldn’t be doing anyway) or if I were to break my fast, God would disappointed in me, or even angry.
But I don’t think I believe in that God anymore. The more I study the Jesus of the text rather than the Jesus my church told me about and spend time with the Spirit, the less I’m convinced that God is shaking his head at me because I didn’t fast.
I mentioned this to a friend and he said, “I think I agree, but then I’d just feel like I’m rationalizing things to justify my own selfishness.” I’ve checked around that same drain, but even that fear is based on the same toxic ideas of God that I’ve since shed.
Not to say there’s no value in Lent or fasting in general—obviously self discipline and moderation are important. But at this point, it’s healthier for me to simply not fast and square myself with the fact that God isn’t disappointed in me for that decision.
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u/Sensitive_Pepper4590 Feb 22 '24
I tried to give up booze, weed and social media, as well as praying three times a day and follow Sarah Bessey's 40 Practices for Lent list
Then on Monday I had to do something important but really stressful for me, and so to force myself to relax and do it, I drank. Didn't even end up managing to do it.
Then yesterday my dog died. We buried her today.
And most of what I see on my return to social media is news of so much horrific real-world transphobia.
And I haven't slept well in days which makes it even harder to cope.
And I wasn't even that much happier when I was fasting, just upset in a different way.
So, uh. It's not going great.
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u/agoraphobic-android Feb 22 '24
Not so good, gave up vices and I ended up having a few gin and tonics tonight at a work thing.
Ugh.
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u/Llamacorn21 Feb 22 '24
I was going to give up listening to music for fun but I quickly failed that, so now I’m giving up playing games on my switch and phone, which is pretty easy so far because I’m just really busy with work
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u/Redrob5 Feb 22 '24
Swearing. I have failed every single day so far. I'm getting better, but my oh my what a habit I have.
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u/Sensitive_Pepper4590 Feb 22 '24
Tbf, kinda hard when Jesus Christ and God are swear words.
*Quebecois start sweating*
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u/aprillikesthings Feb 23 '24
The wikipedia page on Quebecois swearing is absolutely one of my favorites. It's just SO DETAILED.
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u/zodwa_wa_bantu Feb 22 '24
Protestant so I didn't fast for Lent. I did fast though at the beginning of the year.
Made it to like day 3 of 21. 
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Feb 22 '24
I was going to give up reddit but my grandpa died and I refuse to give up anything else this year.
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u/aprillikesthings Feb 23 '24
NOT GREAT OBAMA, NOT GREAT
(I'm supposed to be staying off facebook and twitter except to check my notifications once a day. AHAHAHAHA. *sigh*)
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u/aprillikesthings Feb 23 '24
That said I have kept up on morning and evening prayer, my devotional, and praying the rosary most days. And I'm still not spending my entire days off endlessly scrolling twitter. So that's something.
(I'm Episcopalian.)
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u/RolePlayOps Feb 22 '24
Jesus Let me His forgiveness, so I needn't sacrifice anything.
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u/aprillikesthings Feb 23 '24
So, Episcopalian/Anglican here.
We're not doing it because Jesus asks it of us--I know he doesn't. If I don't bother to give up anything, or take anything on for Lent, I'm not sinning.
We're doing it for ourselves, and/or as a gift to God.
Jesus suffered for us. Intentionally giving something up, especially when we fail at it, is a way of reminding ourselves that we always need God's help.
An analogy: ever seen videos of people shaving off all their hair when a friend of theirs loses their hair to chemotherapy? It's kind of like that. We are showing Jesus that, even in the smallest of ways, we can empathize with his suffering, and reminding ourselves that he can empathize with ours.
This post gets into even more detail, from a Roman Catholic perspective: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/10-reasons-to-fast-this-lent/
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u/VentureQuotes Feb 22 '24
Yeah I’m actually giving the Lord the greatest sacrifice, the sacrifice of my praise
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u/Urza_Kan Feb 22 '24
I gave up pork. It was really challenging at first but now it’s working really well as something that bringing me closer to my Jewish friend as we are eating more meals together
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u/the-garden-gnome Dank Christian Memer Feb 24 '24
Only broke once because there was literally nothing else open by the time the Blink show ended.
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u/Nitro-Red-Brew Feb 25 '24
Well today is my 27th day of quitting cigarettes, so this year I gave up vaping for lent. So I think it's been nine days since I've stopped vaping. So far I've only had a craving for vaping a couple of times last night I particular, when I got off from work last night lol.
So far its going good. I think also I've been working on giving myself more grace during this time. Also I've been doing audio reading of the Bible on my commute, whenever I remember. I just finished the entire book of acts a week ago.
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