The Next Dark Age
We're in it Now
Weekend Assignment #361: Give It Up!
Weekend Assignment #361: Give It Up!
Lent has begun, and in certain denominations, people are “giving up something for Lent” – in other words, not indulging in some pleasurable food or activity between now and Easter. Have you ever abstained from something for a period of time for a religious or spiritual purpose? What was it? How successful were you at avoiding it?
Extra Credit: Regardless of whether you believe in doing so, if you were to give up something you enjoy between now and April 24th, what would it be?
I was just talking about this:
While I do not practice any institutional religion, I follow most of the JudeoChristian values and a few traditions. Back in the day, I gave up French Fries every year for Lent. It was a good one for me because it was something that I enjoyed enough to make it a sacrifice, but not such a deprivation that I was twitching two weeks in – like those people that give up caffeine. I considered it participating in a tradition that many of my friends and colleagues valued, and it was good for my health.
I stopped giving up things for Lent because my brother, who became a Catholic when he got married, derisively informed me that Lent was not meant to be my own personal diet plan. And if I wasn’t going to take it seriously, I shouldn’t do it.
Apparently, Lent was meant to make certain people feel morally superior.
If I were going to give up something, I would probably make it some kind of consumerist behavior. But then I would be accused of making Lent my own personal financial savings plan.
The Next Dark Age 
Yes, that's kind of the quandary, isn't it? For most things you could give up, you can be accused of doing it for a selfish reason. But is there anything morally suspect about giving up french fries for Lent? Is it's also good for your health or your diet, how is that actually a bad thing?