Ash Wednesday/Lent

**Valigarmander** · 02-06-2008, 07:14 PM

Today is Ash Wednesday, the date on the Christian calendar that marks the beginning of Lent. This period of time is set aside to recognize the time Jesus spent in the desert, resisting the Devil's temptations. As such, many Christians take it upon themselves to resist temptations of their own during this time. This could be giving up snack foods, smoking, sex, video games (my uncle did that last year), or something else that is generally considered a temptation, or at least time you could replace with doing something productive.

I'm not particularly religious, but today I've decided that for Lent I'll be giving up my bad eating habits. Seriously, I'm a glutton. I may be skinny as a sapling but that doesn't hide the fact that I eat more than anyone else in the house. So, I'll be honoring Lent along with my family (which is Christian), and spending the next 40 days or so until Easter trying to resist the temptations of bad dieting. Hopefully, I won't stop at Easter.

I see this as an opportunity to respect and celebrate a religious tradition with my family (though I myself am not a Christian), and also to motivate myself to do something good for me. In this topic, feel free to discuss what you plan to do for Lent this year, if anything. Good luck, and wish me some.

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 02-06-2008, 07:16 PM

I personally disapprove of Lent, but I respect that other people want to do it for theirselves or their religion.

***the Octopus*** · 02-06-2008, 07:19 PM

I'd rather motivate myself by force of will, but I understand a lot of people aren't as capable of that.

**Valigarmander** · 02-06-2008, 07:20 PM

I'm not a big fan of the fasting thing, but there are parts of it I can understand and respect.

SephirothKirby · 02-06-2008, 07:23 PM

Oh, so that's why we do this? I've always wondered.

=\ Panfan told me it was Ash Wednesday, and I had no idea what he was talking about. I'm only familiar with "Lent"

So. Yeah. Now I know. I don't think I'll do it this year either, as I don't personally see the point.

***Booyakasha*** · 02-06-2008, 07:48 PM

Well, we're snowed in here in Milwaukee, so we couldn't really go to Mass. I never really give things up for Lent, or for New Year's resolutionery. I'd like to think I make up for it by trying to be a good person in general, but I guess that probably sounds like kind of a cop-out. (Never claimed to be a particularly good Christian...)

ZeldaGirl · 02-06-2008, 08:49 PM

Val, you're still a teenager. It's possible you're not a glutton, but just growing up. Just something to keep in mind. But, hey, if you feel the need to eat better, more power to you.

Wyborn · 02-06-2008, 11:19 PM

I....I don't think it's gluttony if you can't gain weight. I mean, you eat because you're hungry, not for the pleasure of eating, right?

Regardless, if you wanna cut back on food for Lent as a form of religious fasting, more power to you.

**Valigarmander** · 02-06-2008, 11:28 PM

^ Not really, I'm eating when I'm not even hungry. I've been eating just to have something to do.

Seriously, I have some sort of hypermetabolism or something. It runs in the family, at least from my dad. And I don't want that catching up to me someday.

ZeldaGirl · 02-06-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaGirl

Val, you're still a teenager. It's possible you're not a glutton, but just growing up. Just something to keep in mind. But, hey, if you feel the need to eat better, more power to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyborn

I....I don't think it's gluttony if you can't gain weight. I mean, you eat because you're hungry, not for the pleasure of eating, right?

Regardless, if you wanna cut back on food for Lent as a form of religious fasting, more power to you.

...so, it's amazing how you like, said the same exact things as me...

Eagle Eye · 02-07-2008, 12:10 AM

^Wyborn is on repeat.

My suitemate observed lent today, he gave up meat for the day. I've never done it, because I was never taught that actually.

Benito Mussolini · 02-07-2008, 12:10 AM

if you're not gaining weight then you are probably not eating as much as you think

**Deku Trii** · 02-07-2008, 12:12 AM

Hopefully your body doesn't adapt to your fasting by slowing down your metabolism.

betasoldier · 02-07-2008, 12:18 AM

I observe lent as well. I too have the same problem and can and do eat much much more than people realize. Strange really, part of it may be because you could be very active, I know that's part of the reason for me. Naturally I'm giving up meat, yesterday now, and every Friday. However, I'm also giving up pop as well, and I practically run on caffeine, and no, I don't drink coffee. Too bad I don't drink or I could give up alcohol instead. I already miss mountain dew *cry*. Oh well, I've been through caffeine withdrawals before.

***CaptHayfever*** · 02-07-2008, 01:21 AM

As I've done for the last few years, I'm giving up root beer for Lent. And just like the last few years, it is highly likely that I will be a raving lunatic by Palm Sunday.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Metal Man · 02-07-2008, 02:58 AM

Trivia: I have the exact same metabolism thing as Val. Despite powering down ice cream, cheese burgers, fries, and other things, I weigh 120 lbs. Probably less thanks to this hideous cold. Ugh. Trying to eat what I can to undo that.

Er, anyway.

As an athiest, Lent doesn't mean much to me, although I respect the fact it exists. I will however get off my arse and get some nice work done in that time, so even though I probably won't be doing it on purpose, I will probably be fulfilling part of the idea of it.

...That and I more than abstained on food between that horrible norovirus and this cold I just had which screwed me up good too.

So anyway, all the more power to the people who do celebrate it. Meanwhile I will be building more PHP machines.

User Name · 02-07-2008, 06:32 AM

I believe in Lent and and repenting during this time because of what Christ did for us, but I've never given up anything for Lent. I would like to believe that I don't need a church season to give up something that is addicting in my life. Plus, I also believe that I should repenting every day no matter what. I think of Lent as a church season just like Advent or Epiphany. *shrug*

Demonicus Prime · 02-07-2008, 07:17 AM

I guess it's an odd way to look at it, but I've always thought that if we're honoring the sacrifice that Jesus/God made for us by giving up something addicting like Root Beer, since He made the Earth in 7 days, how much of a sacrifice is it really to Him? If we're resisting temptations, doesn't it seem kinda backwards that we're doing something insignificant for something so big?

Take it or leave it, that's my standpoint.

***CaptHayfever*** · 02-07-2008, 11:09 AM

It's a parallelism thing. Obviously we can't all spend 40 days in a desert, but we can spend 40 days without something that we're used to.

Root beer is non-addictive, by the way; most brands don't even use caffeine.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Joker · 02-07-2008, 12:05 PM

I gave up drinking on New Years so I'm already doing something for lent.

02-06-2008, 07:14 PM	#1
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,211 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 5,552 Times in 2,499 Posts Blog Entries: 18	Ash Wednesday/Lent Today is Ash Wednesday, the date on the Christian calendar that marks the beginning of Lent. This period of time is set aside to recognize the time Jesus spent in the desert, resisting the Devil's temptations. As such, many Christians take it upon themselves to resist temptations of their own during this time. This could be giving up snack foods, smoking, sex, video games (my uncle did that last year), or something else that is generally considered a temptation, or at least time you could replace with doing something productive. I'm not particularly religious, but today I've decided that for Lent I'll be giving up my bad eating habits. Seriously, I'm a glutton. I may be skinny as a sapling but that doesn't hide the fact that I eat more than anyone else in the house. So, I'll be honoring Lent along with my family (which is Christian), and spending the next 40 days or so until Easter trying to resist the temptations of bad dieting. Hopefully, I won't stop at Easter. I see this as an opportunity to respect and celebrate a religious tradition with my family (though I myself am not a Christian), and also to motivate myself to do something good for me. In this topic, feel free to discuss what you plan to do for Lent this year, if anything. Good luck, and wish me some.

02-06-2008, 07:16 PM	#2
*Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds* Admin "mine.. not yours. NO. MINE." Epic Ladynerd Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Forteresse de Valois Gender: Posts: 28,198 Thanks: 1,510 Thanked 1,718 Times in 992 Posts	I personally disapprove of Lent, but I respect that other people want to do it for theirselves or their religion.

02-06-2008, 07:19 PM	#3
*the Octopus* THE PRESIDENT OF FUN Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 27,475 Thanks: 1,973 Thanked 5,121 Times in 2,320 Posts	I'd rather motivate myself by force of will, but I understand a lot of people aren't as capable of that.

02-06-2008, 07:20 PM	#4
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,211 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 5,552 Times in 2,499 Posts Blog Entries: 18	I'm not a big fan of the fasting thing, but there are parts of it I can understand and respect.

02-06-2008, 07:23 PM	#5
SephirothKirby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Those who criticize our generation forget who raised it. Gender: Posts: 7,052 Thanks: 365 Thanked 737 Times in 433 Posts	Oh, so that's why we do this? I've always wondered. =\ Panfan told me it was Ash Wednesday, and I had no idea what he was talking about. I'm only familiar with "Lent" So. Yeah. Now I know. I don't think I'll do it this year either, as I don't personally see the point.

02-06-2008, 07:48 PM	#6
*Booyakasha* SuperMod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 9,653 Thanks: 153 Thanked 1,385 Times in 703 Posts	Well, we're snowed in here in Milwaukee, so we couldn't really go to Mass. I never really give things up for Lent, or for New Year's resolutionery. I'd like to think I make up for it by trying to be a good person in general, but I guess that probably sounds like kind of a cop-out. (Never claimed to be a particularly good Christian...)

02-06-2008, 08:49 PM	#7
ZeldaGirl Awesome member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Why do YOU want to know...? Gender: Posts: 15,877 Thanks: 1,121 Thanked 1,902 Times in 1,040 Posts	Val, you're still a teenager. It's possible you're not a glutton, but just growing up. Just something to keep in mind. But, hey, if you feel the need to eat better, more power to you.

02-06-2008, 11:19 PM	#8
Wyborn Zelda Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: All over the place Gender: Posts: 12,387 Thanks: 87 Thanked 469 Times in 281 Posts	I....I don't think it's gluttony if you can't gain weight. I mean, you eat because you're hungry, not for the pleasure of eating, right? Regardless, if you wanna cut back on food for Lent as a form of religious fasting, more power to you.

02-06-2008, 11:28 PM	#9
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,211 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 5,552 Times in 2,499 Posts Blog Entries: 18	^ Not really, I'm eating when I'm not even hungry. I've been eating just to have something to do. Seriously, I have some sort of hypermetabolism or something. It runs in the family, at least from my dad. And I don't want that catching up to me someday.

02-07-2008, 12:10 AM	#11
Eagle Eye Diddy bops Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Gender: Posts: 15,008 Thanks: 1,616 Thanked 1,084 Times in 597 Posts	^Wyborn is on repeat. My suitemate observed lent today, he gave up meat for the day. I've never done it, because I was never taught that actually.

02-07-2008, 12:10 AM	#12
Benito Mussolini Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Gender: Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	if you're not gaining weight then you are probably not eating as much as you think

02-07-2008, 12:12 AM	#13
Deku Trii PP&R Mod Current Events Mod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texas Gender: Posts: 8,928 Thanks: 489 Thanked 1,060 Times in 558 Posts	Hopefully your body doesn't adapt to your fasting by slowing down your metabolism.

02-07-2008, 12:18 AM	#14
betasoldier Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Gender: Posts: 106 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I observe lent as well. I too have the same problem and can and do eat much much more than people realize. Strange really, part of it may be because you could be very active, I know that's part of the reason for me. Naturally I'm giving up meat, yesterday now, and every Friday. However, I'm also giving up pop as well, and I practically run on caffeine, and no, I don't drink coffee. Too bad I don't drink or I could give up alcohol instead. I already miss mountain dew cry. Oh well, I've been through caffeine withdrawals before.

02-07-2008, 01:21 AM	#15
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,004 Thanks: 1,780 Thanked 2,370 Times in 1,423 Posts	As I've done for the last few years, I'm giving up root beer for Lent. And just like the last few years, it is highly likely that I will be a raving lunatic by Palm Sunday. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

02-07-2008, 02:58 AM	#16
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	Trivia: I have the exact same metabolism thing as Val. Despite powering down ice cream, cheese burgers, fries, and other things, I weigh 120 lbs. Probably less thanks to this hideous cold. Ugh. Trying to eat what I can to undo that. Er, anyway. As an athiest, Lent doesn't mean much to me, although I respect the fact it exists. I will however get off my arse and get some nice work done in that time, so even though I probably won't be doing it on purpose, I will probably be fulfilling part of the idea of it. ...That and I more than abstained on food between that horrible norovirus and this cold I just had which screwed me up good too. So anyway, all the more power to the people who do celebrate it. Meanwhile I will be building more PHP machines.

02-07-2008, 06:32 AM	#17
User Name Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gotham City Gender: Posts: 7,166 Thanks: 654 Thanked 518 Times in 356 Posts	I believe in Lent and and repenting during this time because of what Christ did for us, but I've never given up anything for Lent. I would like to believe that I don't need a church season to give up something that is addicting in my life. Plus, I also believe that I should repenting every day no matter what. I think of Lent as a church season just like Advent or Epiphany. shrug

02-07-2008, 07:17 AM	#18
Demonicus Prime Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I Pity The Fool Who Confuses Me With Someone Other Than YoshiFreak. Gender: Posts: 3,108 Thanks: 648 Thanked 129 Times in 87 Posts	I guess it's an odd way to look at it, but I've always thought that if we're honoring the sacrifice that Jesus/God made for us by giving up something addicting like Root Beer, since He made the Earth in 7 days, how much of a sacrifice is it really to Him? If we're resisting temptations, doesn't it seem kinda backwards that we're doing something insignificant for something so big? Take it or leave it, that's my standpoint.

02-07-2008, 11:09 AM	#19
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,004 Thanks: 1,780 Thanked 2,370 Times in 1,423 Posts	It's a parallelism thing. Obviously we can't all spend 40 days in a desert, but we can spend 40 days without something that we're used to. Root beer is non-addictive, by the way; most brands don't even use caffeine. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

02-07-2008, 12:05 PM	#20
Joker Lord of Vampires / God of Vengeance Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: The Planet of Eternal Darkness Gender: Posts: 11,117 Thanks: 3,273 Thanked 580 Times in 364 Posts Blog Entries: 6	I gave up drinking on New Years so I'm already doing something for lent.