Faith-based fasting

Muslime_SClBRamadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. Various Muslim customs recommend days and periods of fasting in addition to Ramadan.e_SClBAbstaining from food, drink, smoking, profane language and sexual intercourse from before the break of dawn until sunset for the entire month.e_SClBSome Muslims fast every Monday (some say Thursday) because Prophet Muhammad was said to do this, and some fast during the month of Sha'baan, which precedes Ramadan, and especially during the three days leading up to Ramadan.

Protestant

(Evangelical)e_SClBAt the discretion of individuals, churches, organizations, or communities.e_SClBThough some people abstain from food or drink entirely, others drink only water or juice, eat only certain foods and skip certain meals.e_SClBFor spiritual nourishment, solidarity with impoverished people, a counterbalance to modern consumer culture, or to petition God for special needs.

Faith TimesRequirements Purpose

Buddhiste_SClBUsually on full-moon days and other holidays.e_SClBDepending on the Buddhist tradition, fasting usually means abstaining from solid food, with some liquids permitted.e_SClBA method of purification.

Jewishe_SClBYom Kipper, the Day of Atonement, is the best-known fast day. The Jewish calendar has six other fast days.e_SClBOn Yom Kippur, eating and drinking are forbidden for a 24-hour period, from sundown to sundown. On the other fast days, eating and drinking are forbidden only from sunrise to sundown.e_SClBAtonement for sins and/or special requests to God.

Catholice_SClBAsh Wednesday and Good Friday, and all Fridays in Lent.e_SClBOn Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, two small meals and one regular meal are allowed; meat is forbidden. On Fridays in Lent, no meat is allowed. For the optional Friday fast, some people substitute a different penance or special prayer instead of fasting.e_SClBTeaches control of fleshly desires, penance for sins, and solidarity with the poor. The Lenten fast prepares the soul for a great feast by practicing austerity. The Good Friday fast commemorates the day Christ suffered.e_SClBA method of purification.

Baha'ie_SClBDuring Ala, the 19th month of the Baha'i year, from March 2-20.

e_SClBAbstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.e_SClBTo focus on love of God and spiritual matters.

Mormone_SClBThe first Sunday of each month is a fast day. Individuals, families or wards may hold other fasts at will.e_SClBAbstaining from food and drink for two consecutive meals and donating food or money to the needy. After the fast, church members participate in a "fast and testimony meeting."e_SClBCloseness to God; concentration on God and religion. Individual or family fasts might be held to petition for a specific cause, such as healing for one who is sick or help with making a difficult decision.

Protestant

(Mainline)e_SClBAt the discretion of communities, churches, other groups, and individuals.e_SClBDiscretion of those fasting.e_SClBFor spiritual improvement or to advance a political or social-justice agenda.

Eastern

Orthodoxe_SClBThere are several fast periods, including Lent, Apostles' Fast, Dormition Fast and the Nativity Fast, and several one-day fasts. Every Wednesday and Friday is considered a fast day, except those that fall during designated "fast-free weeks."e_SClBIn general, meat, dairy products, and eggs are prohibited. Fish is prohibited on some fast days and allowed on others.e_SClBStrengthens resistance to gluttony; helps open a person to God's grace. A method of purification.

Abstinence traditions of different religions

If you go

Ramadan meals

■ At Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah, 1545 Russell Cave Road, a free community meal is served on Saturdays at sundown during Ramadan (Sept. 1 to 30) to anyone who wishes to attend. Tonight, the Pakistani Muslims are serving. And on Sept. 27, it will be the Indonesian Muslims or a potluck.

■ The fast also is broken each day at sundown at the Islamic Center of Lexington, 649 South Limestone, where a meal is served to all.

Pagane_SClBNo organized fast days, but some pagans choose to fast in preparation for Ostara (spring equinox).e_SClBAt the discretion of the individual — some totally abstain from food, others reduce how much they eat.e_SClBIntended to purify a person energetically; often used to raise vibrational levels as preparation for magical work. Ostara fasting is used to cleanse oneself from heavier winter foods.

Hindue_SClBFasting is commonly practiced on New Moon days and during festivals such as Shivaratri, Saraswati Puja, and Durga Puja (also known as Navaratri). Women in North India also fast on the day of Karva Chauth.e_SClBFasting may involve 24 hours of complete abstinence from any food or drink, but more often involves abstaining from eating meat and living on fruits and milk.e_SClBA way to enhance concentration during meditation or worship; purification for the system; sometimes considered a sacrifice.e_SClB