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?

What Does the Bible Say About..Eating Meat on Good Friday? (http://minuteswithmessiah.tripod.com/question/meatless.html)

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.

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?

Not eating meat on Friday is a fast.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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?

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.

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.

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 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.

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

Hi all.. I happened upon a very good explanantion as to why Catholics do not eat meat during Lent (on Fridays, etc.) I quote this from EWTN.com:

"Catholics abstain from eating meat during Lent and also on Fridays because those periods are considered penitential. The Code of Canon Law (can. 1250) describes the season of Lent (and Fridays) as penitential days and times in the universal Church. Such practices in Lent are intended to dispose the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. Canon 1251 also declares that abstinence from meat and other foods is to be observed on every Friday (save for Fridays that fall on days listed as a solemnity) according to the prescripts of the conference of bishops. Abstaining from the eating of meat on Fridays is considered a positive discipline – that is, it assists in uniting the believer through self-sacrifice to the sacrificial love of Christ and to assist in the perfection of charity and deepening prayer. The eating of fish – in those areas where seafood has traditionally been easily obtained – began as a satisfactory alternative to eating meat. As it provides a suitable replacement, fish (and seafood in general) became a virtual staple in many areas. There are different opinions as to whether active symbolism is involved, but in general the popularity of fish is merely as an appropriate form of abstinence. "

Hopefully that helps with the understanding of why, at least. I'm surprised the priests in your past didn't know that. :) Is it sensible or not.. that's a opinion. :)

Hey 450donn -

Ever read the following passages?

1 timothy 4:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

How do you read this? I believe it would help to look at the whole chapter and previous chapter to get it entirely.

hey 450donn -

ever read the following passages?

1 timothy 4:Which is exactly mentioned in the second post of this thread - mine. But I guess donn didn't bother to read it.