29 Aug 11
The four weeks of fasting here in Indonesia (indeed, all around the world) have almost come to an end. During the past month, as ever, we have occasionally seen Christian TV celebrities being interviewed about how they have been fasting alongside their Muslim friends by way of empathy, solidarity etc. What - in the minds of Christians here, or in the minds of Muslims (if there are any) - would be the spiritual value of such Christian fasting?
29 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFThey spent less on food?
The four weeks of fasting here in Indonesia (indeed, all around the world) have almost come to an end. During the past month, as ever, we have occasionally seen Christian TV celebrities being interviewed about how they have been fasting alongside their Muslim friends by way of empathy, solidarity etc. What - in the minds of Christians here, or in the minds of Muslims (if there are any) - would be the spiritual value of such Christian fasting?
29 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFfasting in general or christians fasting in solidarity with muslims?
The four weeks of fasting here in Indonesia (indeed, all around the world) have almost come to an end. During the past month, as ever, we have occasionally seen Christian TV celebrities being interviewed about how they have been fasting alongside their Muslim friends by way of empathy, solidarity etc. What - in the minds of Christians here, or in the minds of Muslims (if there are any) - would be the spiritual value of such Christian fasting?
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29 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFThis is a Muslim view:
The four weeks of fasting here in Indonesia (indeed, all around the world) have almost come to an end. During the past month, as ever, we have occasionally seen Christian TV celebrities being interviewed about how they have been fasting alongside their Muslim friends by way of empathy, solidarity etc. What - in the minds of Christians here, or in the minds of Muslims (if there are any) - would be the spiritual value of such Christian fasting?
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/08/ramadans_spiritual_discipline.html
29 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFWhat do you think of it FMF?
The four weeks of fasting here in Indonesia (indeed, all around the world) have almost come to an end. During the past month, as ever, we have occasionally seen Christian TV celebrities being interviewed about how they have been fasting alongside their Muslim friends by way of empathy, solidarity etc. What - in the minds of Christians here, or in the minds of Muslims (if there are any) - would be the spiritual value of such Christian fasting?
29 Aug 11
Originally posted by divegeesterWell I don't fast. It strikes me as worthy if some Indonesian Christians want to demonstrate empathy with their non-Christian friends, although most do probably just like to quietly assert their 'difference' and thus their identity in a society that is predominantly Muslim. Jesus fasted for a long period, and yet fasting in this way seems to have been expunged from the Christian tradition. I do wonder why Jesus thought it had spiritual value but his followers no longer do (or at least they don't seek to emulate him).
What do you think of it FMF?
29 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFYes it is interesting; I know Christian people who do fast and do get a lot from it, although I've never done so myself.
Well I don't fast. It strikes me as worthy if some Indonesian Christians want to demonstrate empathy with their non-Christian friends, although most do probably just like to quietly assert their 'difference' and thus their identity in a society that is predominantly Muslim. Jesus fasted for a long period, and yet fasting in this way seems to have been expunged ...[text shortened]... spiritual value but his followers no longer do (or at least they don't seek to emulate him).
I had a think about your op for a few hours, and have decided that despite it being locally socially appropriate, it is not the right thing for a Christian to do. Fasting is for seeking God; if those who are fasting seek 'another' God, then a Christian should not join them.
30 Aug 11
Originally posted by divegeesterMost mainstream Indonesians, both Christian and Muslim, see their monotheist God as one in the same. Wouldn't a Christian fasting be seeking God just in the same way as a Muslim fasting would be seeking God? How could your personal fasting bring you closer to a "wrong" God?
I had a think about your op for a few hours, and have decided that despite it being locally socially appropriate, it is not the right thing for a Christian to do. Fasting is for seeking God; if those who are fasting seek 'another' God, then a Christian should not join them.
30 Aug 11
Originally posted by divegeesterWhy do you think Christ thought - and demonstrated that - fasting had spiritual value but Christ's followers don't seek to emulate him?
Yes it is interesting; I know Christian people who do fast and do get a lot from it, although I've never done so myself.
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30 Aug 11
Originally posted by FMFIt isn't entirely without emulation. In my religious training, Roman Catholic school, run by Franciscans, Lent was the way to do this, and it was taken seriously, with each of us supposed to decide what we were giving up for 40 days and tell our teacher/nun what it was. In addition, communion was supposed to be received every Sunday without breakfast beforehand. But only if you were without sin since your last Confession.
Why do you think Christ thought - and demonstrated that - fasting had spiritual value but Christ's followers don't seek to emulate him?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent
30 Aug 11
Originally posted by JS357Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for a month here! And yes I remember Lent and Sunday mornings from when I was a kid. But it strikes me as a rather insipid emulation!
It isn't entirely without emulation. In my religious training, Roman Catholic school, run by Franciscans, Lent was the way to do this, and it was taken seriously, with each of us supposed to decide what we were giving up for 40 days and tell our teacher/nun what it was. In addition, communion was supposed to be received every Sunday without breakfast beforehand. But only if you were without sin since your last Confession.