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Do you think you could fast during daylight hours for a month?
Asked at Massachusetts Street on September 14, 2007
“Actually, my father is Muslim, so I’ve done it before. It was challenging and very rewarding.”
“Yeah. If I was committed to it and that was my religion, I think I could do it.”
“Yes. Fasting provides a great opportunity to understand the difference between want and need. In our society of over-consumption, I find it very commendable.”
“Yes, could and have while I was vacationing in Istanbul.”
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Comments
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jonas (anonymous) says…
Of course I could, if someone could convince me that there was a worthwhile purpose in doing so. It's just always seemed such a silly thing to do, though.
nut_case (anonymous) says…
Yes, I suppose I could. I have never partaken in the ritual, however, having some Muslim friends, I understand the the fast includes not only food, but water, or any other form of drink, too. That does start to "drain" a person especially if they have a strenuous work day.
When you stop and think of it, most major religions have some form of food ritual...Muslims with their fasting and avoidance of pork, Hindu's and their sacred cows, Catholics with their fish and ritualistic blood drinking / flesh eating - just to name a few. It will certainly be fun to see which religion - if any - is correct in the end.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
Nope.
I would get cranky. So would alot of other people.
There would be this build up of evil ectoplasmic slime in the sewer.
Nrxt thing you know...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
jonas (anonymous) says…
Does Paul Ron fast often?
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
What Jonas said.
Also--I have very low blood pressure and start getting woozy if I go to long w/o eating. If I combine physical exertion with skipping a meal, I'll pass right out. That's always fun.
I can't even give blood, alas.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Sure, it'd be easier than managing my uncontrollable lust any time I see a woman's bare ankle. RuPaul for president!
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
Uh-oh, Snap! Better watch that lust, or the LJW grannies will pull your post. I didn't think rodentgirl's post was malicious--but I guess jokes are out of line unless they are blandly PC.
Azure_Attitude (anonymous) says…
What you said, Py. If I got up and ate right at o'dark thirty I might be able to make it to dinner, though I would be in BAD (Bad Attitude & Breath) shape by then.
Bone777 (anonymous) says…
Yes, in Alaska during the winter...
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
I can't see any reason why I would want to fast all day for a month unless there was something in it for me at the end. My religion doesn't require that of me. They just want a weekly check.
prospector (anonymous) says…
It would be difficult after yesterday's question, but yes.
Man, I want some pancakes.
Centrist (anonymous) says…
I fast about every Sunday. Never bother eating until around dinnertime, just 'coz I'm lazy on that day. Yep, I could do this easily. I did the "40 hour famine" charity thing years ago, with no problem, too.
toefungus (anonymous) says…
If I don't eat, I get slow. This activity should be called.."slowing". Or maybe it is called fasting, because when you can eat, you eat fast.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
Does fasting mean no coffee or beer? If so, I would never, never, NEVER succeed.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
Probably not. I might get by if fasting applied to solid food only, but I drink a lot, so if we're talking total fast I really doubt it. Besides, I can't even seem to manage eating only during daylight hours, let alone NOT eating during daylight hours :\
RI, that sounds like a sentence that would precede "Who ya gonna call . . . Ghost Busters."
prospector, IIRC, the late-great-OMB had a terrific blueberry pancake recipe . . . and he roasted coffee beans at home to make the perfect brew!!! OMB, may his memory will last forever!! (Here's hoping I do not get deleted for even mentioning THE name.)
ms_canada (anonymous) says…
omb omb omb **a rose by any other name would smell as sweet**
I don't think I could do it. I am not a person with a strong will power. My church encourages us to fast on Mondays. Fasting is definitely a ritual involving faith. One thing we are taught is that fasting and heavy work do not go together. Fast days are planned to be days of ease and prayer. If you have a heavy job to do, put the fasting off for another day.
Hey there, TOB, how goes the battle with those ravenous grey squirrels? Have you any tomatoes left?
I still have my one little red squirrel who comes daily for his ration of pecans which he takes out of my hand. He loves peanuts too. What a spoiled little brat he is. But he does not touch my tomatoes.
My little chipmunks are still here. I just love the little guys. I thought that there were three of them all summer but the other day four of them were scurrying around the corner of the patio where we put out the little black sunflower seeds for them. They are so darling, I will miss them when they go to their burrows for the winter.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Ms Canada -
I used a multi-dimensional assault.
- Pellet Launcher = Not proud, but 12 tailed rats eliminated. I couldn't believe how many there actually were until the body count started piling up. Neighbor neutralized 16. He has a ton of plants and is a grouchy old man. Needless to say, we bonded.
- Tin pie plate attached to my pole bean poles. A lady at work says this scares them off. It makes a racket.
- Put old nasty kitty litter in a 5 gallon bucket next to the tomatoes.
---
The tailed rats were not seen for about 3 weeks. I've noticed a few come around to eat around the bottom of the bird feeder (which is fine by me). No more missing tomatoes. Now, I have way too many. Need some? I've made a bunch of tomato sauce that I froze that'll be used for chili and pasta sauce this winter.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Ms Canada -
Oh, also, I have 2 or 3 chipmunks* as well. They are cool. They drive the indoor cats batty.
*They are usually referred to as ground squirrels in these parts. I've always called them chipmunks.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
ms_c: apparently the word is reaching the chipmunk community . . "Eat at Ms_C's". Hopefully, when the chipmunks go to burrow, the rabbits will return. Then you'll still have "furry babies" to nurture.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
In the spiritual arena, required fasting seems too legalistic to me. Too much like a "Will work for food" sign, except it is a will fast for spiritual reward sign. I would also disagree with making such a public display of your fast. The only time I have successfully "fasted" was when I needed to clear my mind of clutter to focus on a specific area of concern, whether or not it related to me directly or required active participation on my part. For spiritual rewards I'm dependent on mercy and grace.
sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…
I'm not sure my metabolism would allow it. I have had a few too many experiences where I went a little bit too long without eating and I nearly collapsed. Perhaps if I did nothing all day, it might work, but I'm just not sure.
Ultimately, I think fasting is a good thing for those who feel compelled to do so, but it is not a requirement of faith.
BABBOY (anonymous) says…
Why would I?
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…
My blood sugar and blood pressure would not allow it. Someone would have to scrape me up off of the floor.
Snap, just for fun, I'm baring my ankles today. Oh, and I'm also wearing flip flops, so there will be some toe-cleavage involved.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
Marion, I agree! Only I would narrow it down some. Those who fast not sick for adhering to the teachings of their religions. They're just doing what they've been taught. The sick ones are those (hundreds of years ago) who decided to insert such requirement into the religion. I.e., I don't blame the followers--just the original "management."
I would place celibacy right alongside fasting and flagellation, too. How sick to ask lifelong celibacy of a person...then expect their natural sexuality NOT to take a sick turn. (Yeah--that's working out well.)
I don't have any adorable chipmunks begging handouts, but I do have some charming leopard frogs in my little fish pond. They watch me as I weed the surrounding garden. If I move too quickly or get too close, they give a loud chirp and dive beneath the lily pads. Moments later, those headlight eyes pop to the surface again.
We should look to animals for sensible dining habits. I have yet to meet a "dumb" critter that would willingly fast for days on end or intentionally swear off any particular foods (on certain days or combined with other foods) that are a natural part of its diet or would feel guilty because it did not do so. It does not have to be so complicated: if you're hungry, eat! If you're tired, sleep! If you're lusty, well... you know what to do.
ms_canada (anonymous) says…
sgt & ceallach - good comments on fasting. I believe fasting is a very personal thing. Each person has their own reason to fast. Which is unlike the muslim requirement. I would have no doubt that there are many muslims who would rather not fast.
As you say ceal, fasting can have a very beneficial effect when done for a certain reason. I have a good friend who, when in a difficult situation, fasted for 40 days. She ate no solid food, only fruit and veg juice and broth and water of course. She spent a lot of time in prayer and told me that it was the best thing that she had ever done and would do it again if it was needed.
And Marion, it is not a sick thing as you say. It takes a lot of discipline and strength of character and belief to undertake such a demanding effort. If done for the right reasons it is commendable.
IMHO.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
Harlot!!
b_asinbeer (anonymous) says…
It's not just eating that one refrains from. No smoking, no alcohol allowed either. Good luck to all you smokers out there!
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Toe cleveage! Woo hoo!
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
BTW, I suspect that OMB (of blessed memory) thinks kindly of his former comrades on this board.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
snap,
"former comrades"?
I thought it was like having a BFF Jill... or at least... Brothers in Arms.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-po...
idarastar (anonymous) says…
Muslims who abide by the rules do not smoke or consume anything containing alcohol. So this would not be a problem. The elderly, sick, and pregnant are exempt from fasting.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
Elderly, sick and pregnant . . . a woman's worst nightmare :)
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
I wonder what age "elderly" is?
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…
I don't consider myself at all "elderly," but the thought of being pregnant right now tends to make me feel slightly sick.
Ceal, you shouldn't call Ms_C a harlot! she's only expressing her views. ;D
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
sunflower_sue: I do not think I am "elderly" either but I know I am much too old to even joke about being pregnant! Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt!
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
45-50?
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
:)
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
Ceal,
"Elderly, sick and pregnant : a woman's worst nightmare :)" ????
Don't you mean this?.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUaH0h...
JoRight (anonymous) says…
must. . .resist. . . over-consumption. . .comment. . .
But, to answer the question, fasting an entire day would be pretty darn easy for me. . .at which point I'd come to the realization that I'm flippin' hungry and eat 2 chipotle burritos.
erod0723 (anonymous) says…
It would really suck to be a Muslim in Alaska right about now.....
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…
RI, that was just mean...but to tell the truth, the collar didn't bother me that much...really!
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
"Blasphemous" Harlot !!!
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
RI, that was really funny. Although, I'd probably laugh out loud . . . just one more thing theocratically placed outside my reach :):)
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…
:)
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Oh great the PC police are out in force again!!!! And all I said was if I fasted during daylight hours I wasn't sure I'd have enough energy to meet out Allah's wrath on the infidels. To be fair, much more crude things are said of Christians and Jews with no one bothering to delete those comments.
Godot (anonymous) says…
This is a regular practice of anoerxics. Anorerxia is a recognized psychological disord
Godot (anonymous) says…
Was the hookah bar open today?
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Here's how some people are celebrating Ramadan:
"9/15/07 - CAIRO, Egypt) - The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq offered money for the murder of a Swedish cartoonist and his editor who recently produced images deemed insulting to Islam, according to a statement carried by Islamist Web sites Saturday.
In a half hour audio file entitled "They plotted yet God too was plotting," Abu Omar al-Baghdadi also named the other insurgent groups in Iraq that al-Qaida was fighting and promised new attacks, particularly against the minority Yazidi sect.
"We are calling for the assassination of cartoonist Lars Vilks who dared insult our Prophet, peace be upon him, and we announce a reward during this generous month of Ramadan of $100,000 for the one who kills this criminal," the transcript on the Web site said.
The al-Qaida leader upped the reward for Vilks' death to $150,000 if he was "slaughtered like a lamb" and offered $50,000 for the killing of the editor of Nerikes Allehanda, the Swedish paper that printed Vilks' cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad with a dog's body on Aug. 19."
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?sec...
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
In light of the above, this Western infidel would like to apologize to Abu Omar al-Baghdadi for my blasphemy that fasting during the daylight hours for a month might leave one too weak to bring Allah's wrath down upon the necks of the unbeliever. I am sure that Allah will give his followers strength, or forgive his followers breaking of the fast, for such a holy endeavor and furthering his Fatwa.
Forgive and forget, right?
Crossfire (anonymous) says…
I could fast a month, but at the end I might just want to start up a gee-hawd, by-gawd.
GretchenJP (anonymous) says…
Dear lord noooooooooooooooooooo
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
Do I think I could fast during daylight hours for a month?
Certainly... just not ALL of them.