On my last day of work (yay!) two people were talking about Lent, and what they had given up. One guy gave up smoking (which suited me fine; he's super nice, but always smelled like an overflowing ashtray when he came in, meaning I got lightheaded from not breathing while I made his two sandwiches) and the gal gave up drinking (which, seeing as how that's all she does in her spare time, she'll be both very bored and very rich by the end of Lent).
But enough of my asides. A great many years ago, I gave up Lent for Lent. Why? Because a) I'm not Christian, so it didn't make a lot of sense in my mind to practice something for a faith in which I don't believe, and b) I think the concept of Lent is a little silly.
No, that's not strictly true. The idea of forsaking something for your faith doesn't bother me one way or the other, though I'm not entirely sure I see the sense in it; martyr I am not, and quite frankly, giving up beer/smoking/chocolate/whatever your vice (I've never really heard other than those 3 or variants thereof, actually) probably isn't akin to what Jesus went through (sorry).
But what I really don't get is how cavalierly many people approach Lent, even those of devout faith (yes, I've seen a few people, devout and otherwise, approach Lent in a real spirit of faith). "Oh, well I want to feel a bit of how Jesus felt,* so I'll give up a luxury that's probably not very good for me anyway--but I'll only do it for 40 days." It's in the same vein as new year resolutions (which I also gave up many years ago as silly and contrived), except instead of just failing after a few weeks, you know that you've only got to keep it up for 40 days. Which, to be fair, is probably longer than most people's new year resolutions last--and why I seem to see a lot of people failing at Lent.**
It's the luxury aspect of Lent that I think truly bothers me. You are sacrificing something you want and like and care about but don't actually need in order to feel closer to God/Jesus (ok, guessing slightly here). And if it works for you, I'm all for that. Having a closer personal relationship with God (wow, I really hate that phrase; it's hackneyed to say the least) is a good thing--provided you don't try to foist it off on me and bother me with your proselytizing. Seriously; I think the world would be a better place if more people took the time to be introspective and truly examine their faith, whatever it may be. But in the end, Lent is all about giving up a luxury. I've never once heard someone give up water, or food, or their bed, or their income (I think someone did go vegetarian once, but the vegans and vegetarians out there have proved that, technically, meat is not a necessity.***) On one hand, sacrifice is sacrifice, however small, and I suppose there can be a spiritual benefit. But it just feels like the wusses way out.
Ramadan, on the other hand, is truly about sacrifice. For the entire month (29-30 days), you cannot eat nor drink--including water--between sunrise and sunset.**** The daily prayers are strictly followed, and the entire Quran should be read over the course of the month. Additionally, charity--which has always been a large component of Islam--is encouraged even more.
Now, I think the idea of Ramadan is crazy on one hand. No food or drink for about 18 hours a day (Ramadan falls mostly in August this year--it's linked to the Islamic lunar calendar). No water. I drink a minimum of 2 litres of water a day, so I would not cope well with that in the slightest. You have to go to bed late to eat after sunset, and get up early to eat before sunrise.
But it is sacrifice. Yes, you do still get to eat, but it's limited. You are truly forsaking something for your faith, plus you are offering charity to others and spending more time reflecting upon the words of your faith.
I'm not saying Lent is better or worse than Ramadan. They are different, but take some similar approaches, and for some similar reasons. I think both can be valuable, and I think both can be crazy. But from an outsider's perspective on both, I find the notion of sacrifice to be stronger in Ramadan. Not letting anything pass your lips for your entire working day is pretty hardcore. I also think it's pretty hard on the body (and why I disagree with it--I don't think faith in any form should cause damage to oneself. It seems to be the antithesis of faith to me).
I don't suppose I really have a point here, but listening to people discuss Lent the other day made me think about my Muslim friends and what they go through for Ramadan. Complaining that you can't have any alcohol for 40 days seems pretty trivial when someone effectively can't have anything for a month. Besides, she's about as faithful as John Edwards.
Anyway, to each their own.
* Flogged? Crucified? Forsaken?
** Can you fail at Lent?
*** I did say technically. Bacon, after all, is a meat.
**** Some people are exempt, including those with health conditions. If fasting will harm you, you don't have to.
