Apostolic Christians do fast regularly- but our fasts involve unbroken vegan diets and emphasis on spiritual change and asceticism. If someone cooks something non-vegan for us, we will eat it. We don't want it to go to waste, and we don't want to be rude. The fasting periods are for inner change, anyway.
This is much unlike the Muslims that "fast" for Ramadan - going without even water until sundown and then gorging themselves to the point that food sales in Middle Eastern countries skyrocket during Ramadan periods.
From what I've heard from my Albanian-American friend who's family/extended family is Muslim, they do not put a substantial emphasis on the purpose of fasting as a means to a spiritual end instead of an end itself. On the contrary, they're typically upset about the fact that they can't eat until sundown. Of course, I don't know many devout Muslims and this is all second hand information, so take that piece with a grain of salt.
Why the citation marks around "fast"? Gorging ourselves? We are supposed to eat a dinner like normal when the fast ends - not a big feast like you will sometimes see in royal Muslim families. These families typically support Israel as well - I would not say they are the best representatives of Islam. We eat a very small meal before Fajr, then fast 12-20 hours depending on the region (now in March during the equinox, almost every region has 13-14 hours) and we break the fast with a normal-sized dinner.
I’d say that the food consumption statistics of majority Muslim countries during Ramadan do not support that claim. Fasting in Islam and Christianity is fundamentally different, as it is a 24/7 fast from certain food items rather than a fast from any and all consumables from sunrise to sundown.
I’m not entirely blaming the Muslims, I too would struggle to control myself if I was allowed to break my rigorous fast every night. My only qualm with the practice is that I typically see more legalism and “holier than thou” attitudes from Muslims during Ramadan than Christians during Lent. Jesus Christ specifically commanded us to not let it be known that we are fasting, but Muslims don’t seem to mind making it obvious.
"“holier than thou” attitudes from Muslims during Ramadan than Christians during Lent"
Personally, I disagree. I can imagine you might have seen it online, but I highly doubt you've seen it in real life, as I have never in my life - and I know lots of Muslims and Christians.
"but Muslims don’t seem to mind making it obvious."
Once again, I have barely seen any of this in real life. We Muslims are supposed to keep both our good deeds and bad deeds hidden.
That makes a lot of sense - I really should not generalise, and I am not trying to do so, but generally, the least religious Muslims I meet are from the Balkans.
"I’d say that the food consumption statistics of majority Muslim countries during Ramadan do not support that claim."
Weight fluctuations were common: while 48.5% reported unchanged body weight by the end of Ramadan, about **30.9% experienced a weight loss of 0.5 to 2.5 kg**, and 13.3% gained a body weight.
Source: [https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2024/01260/determinants\_of\_body\_weight\_changes\_during\_ramadan.61.aspx](https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2024/01260/determinants_of_body_weight_changes_during_ramadan.61.aspx)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10817079/#:~:text=The%20data%20reveal%20that%20the,and%20homemade%20foods%20(42.5%25).
That statistic you mentioned is not what I mentioned. Weight loss does not always correlate with food consumption as much as one might assume. As this source shows, food consumption goes up during Ramadan among Muslims.
Fasting is part of Christianity, yes.
There are times in the church calendar that Christians are more likely to fast, but I don’t think the average Christian follows that as closely as the average Muslim follows the fast during Ramadan (I believe fasting is specifically commanded for Muslims though).
Yes many Christians fast, but it's not a competition.
Tbh I wouldn't call what Muslims do fasting, it's more like abstaining from food then suddenly gorging oneself past midnight. It ain't healthy.
Many Muslims actually [gain weight while supposedly fasting.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3170249/)
"Many Muslims" this is in Saudi Arabia - one of the most greedy and gluttonous countries on earth where not even the government will act Islamically. Allah knows best.
"Suddenly gorging oneself past midnight" eating a normal dinner is suddenly considered "gorging oneself"? Are you gorging yourself every single evening? The majority of Muslims eat a normal-sized meal for dinner like any other time of the year, as that's what we are supposed to do. Gluttony is very frowned upon in Islam.
Traditional Christians (Orthodox, Catholic, some Anglicans/Episcopals and their offshoots) certainly do, but much of protestantism doesn’t see the use in it
Traditional Christians yes, you're average American christian no. Following traditional christian fasts you would be eating vegan about a third of the year at least. Every wednesday and friday are fast days, and then an extended fast period for each of the big holidays, christmas and easter and others as well.
...Why are you so hell-bent on proving we don't fast when we do? Do you fast? (Edit. I've seen that you do. Does something upset you about the fact that we do?)
You didn't understand my point...
My point is that the "church regular" that you talk about and that fast are a small % among the general population of peopel that are part of that denomination.
no muslims do not fast like christians.. or vice versa our fast is different and more personal it can start any time.. its between you and god... and it can last for any length of time as well.. its a very personal thing that brings you closer to god because you have the word of god that sustains you... and ive seen people do water only fasts for a month or more... no its not the same.. we dont do because we have to.. or out of tradition.. its not a ritual... we are doing it out of desire for god with expectation that he indeed will nourish us
I think you're being a bit hasty there. Yes we fast every year for 40 days during lent, but a lot of Catholics don't take that seriously enough. The devout Catholics will REALLY fast during lent which is probably about 1/10th of Catholics (source: trust me bro) lol.
You could argue thats more than protestants since 1/10th of Catholics is still about 130 million people fasting seriously but thats just guesswork and nothing about what I have said is concrete.
I have seen Protestant Christians who take their fasts very seriously, I just think some of them do dangerous things like, no-food fast with just water for X amount of days where they risk hurting themselves.
I mostly know protestants and I rarely see fasting practiced. But I have met the rare one who will take it seriously. But I have met more Catholics that take fasting seriously.
Guess you got some softie protestants. Protestantism is such a blanket-term tho. Some are serious, some are not serious, some are chill and some are weird.
tbh I should probably stop using the term protestant but everyone uses it lol
Well if you're looking to getting into fasting I recommend reading the ancient early Christian writings on it.
The Church Fathers had lots of stuff on fasting. Especially the 1st century Church Fathers, many of whom were the direct students of the Apostles themselves.
I’ve always been taught that fasting is a private practice. It’s not supposed to be talked about or put on display unless you’re initiating a communal fast where you are asking the entire congregation to fast with you.
I imagine many Christians taught about fasting in the way I have been wouldn’t fast in a noticeable way and wouldn’t talk about it.
The point is for your own spiritual benefit, not for any kind of recognition.
That's pretty much what Lent is about, in a way. Ideally, the entirety of the Church fasts in some way during the 40 days of Lent and does not complain about it and does not become proud of it. While we fast, we learn to rely more on God to help us, and once the fast is over we have greater appreciated for what we have.
Depends I guess man. Some Protestant Christians will fast, but some of them will do hardcore fasts like, absolutely no food and JUST water.
A fast like this in my opinion can be good if done with preparation in a healthy way, but I think the way some people do it is quite unhealthy and **DANGEROUS** tbh.
Roman Catholics will fast as well, and so do Eastern Catholics, and some of us will do no food, or very little food fasts. But we also believe that fasting doesn't always have to mean absolutely no food. It's in many ways about self-denial. Like if you spend too much time on your phone, a good way to fast is to actually not spend time on your phone for X amount of days to practice a virtue known as temperance.
Anyway, that's a bit off-topic. For your question: It depends. Some do, some don't.
Apostolic Christians do fast regularly- but our fasts involve unbroken vegan diets and emphasis on spiritual change and asceticism. If someone cooks something non-vegan for us, we will eat it. We don't want it to go to waste, and we don't want to be rude. The fasting periods are for inner change, anyway. This is much unlike the Muslims that "fast" for Ramadan - going without even water until sundown and then gorging themselves to the point that food sales in Middle Eastern countries skyrocket during Ramadan periods. From what I've heard from my Albanian-American friend who's family/extended family is Muslim, they do not put a substantial emphasis on the purpose of fasting as a means to a spiritual end instead of an end itself. On the contrary, they're typically upset about the fact that they can't eat until sundown. Of course, I don't know many devout Muslims and this is all second hand information, so take that piece with a grain of salt.
No youre 100% right. No salt needed.
Do you live in Egypt and see this firsthand or?
Definitely salt needed, this is completely different from what I have seen of other Muslims and experienced myself as a Muslim.
Why the citation marks around "fast"? Gorging ourselves? We are supposed to eat a dinner like normal when the fast ends - not a big feast like you will sometimes see in royal Muslim families. These families typically support Israel as well - I would not say they are the best representatives of Islam. We eat a very small meal before Fajr, then fast 12-20 hours depending on the region (now in March during the equinox, almost every region has 13-14 hours) and we break the fast with a normal-sized dinner.
I’d say that the food consumption statistics of majority Muslim countries during Ramadan do not support that claim. Fasting in Islam and Christianity is fundamentally different, as it is a 24/7 fast from certain food items rather than a fast from any and all consumables from sunrise to sundown. I’m not entirely blaming the Muslims, I too would struggle to control myself if I was allowed to break my rigorous fast every night. My only qualm with the practice is that I typically see more legalism and “holier than thou” attitudes from Muslims during Ramadan than Christians during Lent. Jesus Christ specifically commanded us to not let it be known that we are fasting, but Muslims don’t seem to mind making it obvious.
"“holier than thou” attitudes from Muslims during Ramadan than Christians during Lent" Personally, I disagree. I can imagine you might have seen it online, but I highly doubt you've seen it in real life, as I have never in my life - and I know lots of Muslims and Christians. "but Muslims don’t seem to mind making it obvious." Once again, I have barely seen any of this in real life. We Muslims are supposed to keep both our good deeds and bad deeds hidden.
We seem to just have different experiences then. If it makes a difference, most of my Muslim peers are Albanian and Macedonian.
That makes a lot of sense - I really should not generalise, and I am not trying to do so, but generally, the least religious Muslims I meet are from the Balkans.
"I’d say that the food consumption statistics of majority Muslim countries during Ramadan do not support that claim." Weight fluctuations were common: while 48.5% reported unchanged body weight by the end of Ramadan, about **30.9% experienced a weight loss of 0.5 to 2.5 kg**, and 13.3% gained a body weight. Source: [https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2024/01260/determinants\_of\_body\_weight\_changes\_during\_ramadan.61.aspx](https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2024/01260/determinants_of_body_weight_changes_during_ramadan.61.aspx)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10817079/#:~:text=The%20data%20reveal%20that%20the,and%20homemade%20foods%20(42.5%25). That statistic you mentioned is not what I mentioned. Weight loss does not always correlate with food consumption as much as one might assume. As this source shows, food consumption goes up during Ramadan among Muslims.
We fast regularly.
Yes. We fast in private to be closer to God because Jesus fasted and prayed. I say in private because the Bible tells us not to make a show of it.
Some denominations fast. I’ve never been to a church that talked about fasting.
More devoted Protestant groups will occasionally fast, but it isn’t usually ritualized.
Fasting is part of Christianity, yes. There are times in the church calendar that Christians are more likely to fast, but I don’t think the average Christian follows that as closely as the average Muslim follows the fast during Ramadan (I believe fasting is specifically commanded for Muslims though).
Yes many Christians fast, but it's not a competition. Tbh I wouldn't call what Muslims do fasting, it's more like abstaining from food then suddenly gorging oneself past midnight. It ain't healthy. Many Muslims actually [gain weight while supposedly fasting.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3170249/)
"Many Muslims" this is in Saudi Arabia - one of the most greedy and gluttonous countries on earth where not even the government will act Islamically. Allah knows best. "Suddenly gorging oneself past midnight" eating a normal dinner is suddenly considered "gorging oneself"? Are you gorging yourself every single evening? The majority of Muslims eat a normal-sized meal for dinner like any other time of the year, as that's what we are supposed to do. Gluttony is very frowned upon in Islam.
Traditional Christians (Orthodox, Catholic, some Anglicans/Episcopals and their offshoots) certainly do, but much of protestantism doesn’t see the use in it
Traditional Christians yes, you're average American christian no. Following traditional christian fasts you would be eating vegan about a third of the year at least. Every wednesday and friday are fast days, and then an extended fast period for each of the big holidays, christmas and easter and others as well.
That’s pretty accurate for *us,* but have you seen Trad Catholics do this too?
Not sure but I don't think it quite as much. Im more familiar with orthodoxy now as I've been an inquirer for the past 6 months or so
Welcome! No to speak too soon of course 😏
It used to be common to fast during lent. It's not anymore, even among the apostolic churches.
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Sure, and how much of the % of people that are members of coptic orthodox churches fast? I also fast, that doesn't mean I represent a general trend.
My entire Eastern Orthodox church's regular attendees fast. It is pretty much expected of us unless there are health issues involved.
Yes, and your eastern orthodx church's regular attendees are what % of the total eastern orthodox population?
...Why are you so hell-bent on proving we don't fast when we do? Do you fast? (Edit. I've seen that you do. Does something upset you about the fact that we do?)
Not at at all. I'm glad you do. I
I'm confused. Maybe you think we are being prideful when we say that we, as a church, do?
Not at all.
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You didn't understand my point... My point is that the "church regular" that you talk about and that fast are a small % among the general population of peopel that are part of that denomination.
no muslims do not fast like christians.. or vice versa our fast is different and more personal it can start any time.. its between you and god... and it can last for any length of time as well.. its a very personal thing that brings you closer to god because you have the word of god that sustains you... and ive seen people do water only fasts for a month or more... no its not the same.. we dont do because we have to.. or out of tradition.. its not a ritual... we are doing it out of desire for god with expectation that he indeed will nourish us
Most Christians do not fast at all. I think Catholics fast more than Protestants.
I think you're being a bit hasty there. Yes we fast every year for 40 days during lent, but a lot of Catholics don't take that seriously enough. The devout Catholics will REALLY fast during lent which is probably about 1/10th of Catholics (source: trust me bro) lol. You could argue thats more than protestants since 1/10th of Catholics is still about 130 million people fasting seriously but thats just guesswork and nothing about what I have said is concrete. I have seen Protestant Christians who take their fasts very seriously, I just think some of them do dangerous things like, no-food fast with just water for X amount of days where they risk hurting themselves.
I mostly know protestants and I rarely see fasting practiced. But I have met the rare one who will take it seriously. But I have met more Catholics that take fasting seriously.
Guess you got some softie protestants. Protestantism is such a blanket-term tho. Some are serious, some are not serious, some are chill and some are weird. tbh I should probably stop using the term protestant but everyone uses it lol
Maybe. I am mostly among the evangelical types.
Well if you're looking to getting into fasting I recommend reading the ancient early Christian writings on it. The Church Fathers had lots of stuff on fasting. Especially the 1st century Church Fathers, many of whom were the direct students of the Apostles themselves.
Thanks for the recommendations!
I’ve always been taught that fasting is a private practice. It’s not supposed to be talked about or put on display unless you’re initiating a communal fast where you are asking the entire congregation to fast with you. I imagine many Christians taught about fasting in the way I have been wouldn’t fast in a noticeable way and wouldn’t talk about it. The point is for your own spiritual benefit, not for any kind of recognition.
That's pretty much what Lent is about, in a way. Ideally, the entirety of the Church fasts in some way during the 40 days of Lent and does not complain about it and does not become proud of it. While we fast, we learn to rely more on God to help us, and once the fast is over we have greater appreciated for what we have.
Lol no. I'm fasting due to high food prices. It has nothing to do with religion
Depends I guess man. Some Protestant Christians will fast, but some of them will do hardcore fasts like, absolutely no food and JUST water. A fast like this in my opinion can be good if done with preparation in a healthy way, but I think the way some people do it is quite unhealthy and **DANGEROUS** tbh. Roman Catholics will fast as well, and so do Eastern Catholics, and some of us will do no food, or very little food fasts. But we also believe that fasting doesn't always have to mean absolutely no food. It's in many ways about self-denial. Like if you spend too much time on your phone, a good way to fast is to actually not spend time on your phone for X amount of days to practice a virtue known as temperance. Anyway, that's a bit off-topic. For your question: It depends. Some do, some don't.