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450donn · Jan 27, 2009, 01:02 PM

As a tag along question to another one currently running. What is the reason for this not eating meat on Friday thing. And where is the scriptural backing for this practice?

NeedKarma · Jan 27, 2009, 01:04 PM

What Does the Bible Say About..Eating Meat on Good Friday?

RickJ · Jan 28, 2009, 06:34 AM

Fasting and Sacrifice are spoken of often in Scripture. As for what the sacrifice is and when is up to the individual and/or the organization that the individual follows.

450donn · Jan 28, 2009, 07:33 AM

RickJ
Fasting I understand. I also understand the reasons to fast. But as I understand it not eating meat on Friday has nothing to do with a fast. Or am I missing something?

Akoue · Jan 28, 2009, 12:35 PM

Not eating meat on Friday is a fast.

450donn · Jan 28, 2009, 12:56 PM

No, A fast is denying the body food for a period, and then devoting that time to prayer. Not eating a certain food on a certain day is not a fast. Because you are still eating.

A Christian theological definition of Fast - Fasting according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:
Fast, Fasting

Depriving oneself of food for a period of time for a specific purpose, often spiritual. It is the "weakening" of the body in order to "strengthen" the spirit. It is interesting to note that sin entered the world through the disobedience of eating (Gen. 3:6).

NeedKarma · Jan 28, 2009, 12:58 PM

As mentioned in the link I provided there is no scriptural support for it.

J_9 · Jan 28, 2009, 12:59 PM

Okay, I usually don't get into religious discussions, but...

Not eating meat on Friday is a sacrifice, not a fast. This is usually more common during Lent. One year, the diocese that I belonged to, an Irish Catholic diocese, allowed meat on one Friday because it was St. Patrick's day.

Akoue · Jan 28, 2009, 01:34 PM

Fasting isn't all or nothing. One can fast by abstaining from meat, or by abstaining from all food. Sorry, but I don't find CARM to be a very reliable source on (most) theological matters.

And abstaining from meat on Fridays is undertaken for a spiritual purpose.

450donn · Jan 28, 2009, 02:04 PM

Would you like me to then quote any one of a dozen others that define fasting as depriving oneself of food for a specific period?
Why is it so hard for y'all to simply admit that this is a ritualistic thing and has nothing whatsoever to do with fasting and prayer.

Akoue · Jan 28, 2009, 02:06 PM

What is abstaining from meat on Friday if not "depriving oneself of food for a specific period of time"? Is your problem with it that it is only depriving oneself of a specific kind of food? If so, then I'd like to see some reasoned argument for the claim that that is somehow disqualifying.

spitvenom · Jan 28, 2009, 02:12 PM

I always thought it was some stupid rule the Church made up. So I never did it. When I was in Catholic school I would go out of my way to eat meat on Friday during lent just because the entire thing is so ridiculous.

Akoue · Jan 28, 2009, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by spitvenom

I always thought it was some stupid rule the Church made up. So I never did it. when I was in Catholic school I would go out of my way to eat meat on Friday during lent just because the entire thing is so ridiculous.

Ah, yes, another well-reasoned and thoughtful objection.

If people have informed and intelligent points to make regarding Catholic practice then they should, by all means, bring them forward. The little drive-by pot-shots are getting so very boring, though.

spitvenom · Jan 28, 2009, 02:39 PM

Akoue this is not a drive by pot shot. I went to 9 years of Catholic school and 5 of those years I was an alter boy. I asked this same question every year for 9 years and NO priest or nun could give me an answer. So since I never got an answer I came up with my own answer. It is just another stupid rule the church use to control people. I have looked at your answers to this question and you don't have an answer either. But if you can give me a real reason why were are not supposed to eat meat on friday's then my answer about this being a stupid rule will change. The floor is yours Akoue.

Akoue · Jan 28, 2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by spitvenom

Akoue this is not a drive by pot shot. I went to 9 years of Catholic school and 5 of those years I was an alter boy. I asked this same question every year for 9 years and NO priest or nun could give me an answer. So since I never got an answer I came up with my own answer. It is just another stupid rule the church use to control people. I have looked at your answers to this question and you don't have an answer either. But if you can give me a real reason why were are not supposed to eat meat on friday's then my answer about this being a stupid rule will change. The floor is yours Akoue.

Do you have a problem with fasting in general, or just this particular form of fasting?

spitvenom · Jan 28, 2009, 02:57 PM

I don't see the point of it. We already give up something for lent. I assume (and correct me if I am wrong) it is to pay respect to Jesus for him fasting for 40 days. So if we are already doing that why do why have to not eat meat on Friday. Now if that is to honor Jesus then don't you think we should eat nothing on Friday. I seriously think that it is just another way for the church to control the people.

Akoue · Jan 28, 2009, 03:06 PM

Well, Christ himself recommended fasting. As for the abstinence from meat on Friday, you may see it as "just another way for the church to control people", but the Church recommends lots of practices to encourage us to reflect and to direct our attention toward God. On Fridays during Lent, Catholics are supposed to eat only two small meals, and no meat. This is an expression of solidarity with those who go without; it is a penitential practice, so that the mild hunger that is experienced throughout the day may be a reminder of our sinfulness; and the abstinence from meat in particular is a very ancient practice in both Christianity and Judaism.

It seems to me that this would be a very odd way for the Church to seek to exercise "control". It seem perfectly reasonable, on the other hand, for the Church in its pastoral role to encourage practices that are intended to aid in repentance and solidarity with the poor. The Friday fast and abstinence from meat isn't intended to impose a great hardship, but rather to help us to be mindful of these things--and going without often focuses the mind.

spitvenom · Jan 29, 2009, 01:21 PM

I guess I say Control the people because growing up the nun's at my school had all the kids convinced that they are going to hell if they even looked at meat on a Friday.

Akoue · Jan 29, 2009, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by spitvenom

I guess I say Control the people because growing up the nun's at my school had all the kids convinced that they are going to hell if they even looked at meat on a Friday.

I know what you mean. And it's definitely enough to make you want to rebel a bit. But that's just nuns being scary; they're not bishops.

spitvenom · Jan 29, 2009, 01:31 PM

I like your answer Akoue it makes more sense. And yes Sister Judith and Sister Mary Donald were VERY scary and intimidating.