Lent

[Trekker4747]

So are you giving anything up for Lent?

I've given up pop (Coke, Pepsi, stuff like that. But not energy drinks or caffeine; just heavy-syrup sodas.)

Now I'm not Catholic so I'm not technically "required" to give something up by religious doctrine but I've also felt that giving something up is "part of the season" and just something you do Catholic or not. It's more about making yourself a bit better person than it is anything religious. Some Jewish people may celebrate the decorative and festive aspects of Christmas even though they don't follow the religious aspects of it.

A friend of mine said he's doing something similar only instead of giving up a "vice" he's taking up a "virtue." So he's going to try and to exercise in increasing amounts over the next 40 days.

So how about you? Doing anything for Lent?

 

[Timby]

I'm giving up Governor Scott Walker.

Unfortunately, he's refusing to negotiate on the plan.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I'm giving up a day at work to take Easter Monday off (I always do every year).

 

[Dancing Doctor]

I haven't yet decided what I'm going to give up for Lent, or what virtue I'm going to adopt.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I've decided I'm going to try and stick to the no meat on Fridays thing if I can. I realize that this should be automatic anyway, but it's better than nothing. I'm doing it for the idea of self-discipline more than anything else.

 

[od0_ital]

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'm giving up the funk and tearing the roof off the sucker.

 

[Trekker4747]

Thing is I'm going to need a lot more iced tea, lemonade and flavored water around the place. The caffeine issue isn't a real big deal since I can get that from other sources -like tea and a Red Bull in the mornings- but often times I drink pop just for the taste of it, just as something to drink. So I'm going to need to get my thirst satisfaction other tasty beverages.

 

[Dancing Doctor]

I'm probably going to stick to the "no meat on Fridays" thing, and give up...ah hell, I still don't really know.

I'm a bad Catholic.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'm giving up Lent.

 

[Hunter X]

I usually miss the beginning of Lent and forget to even consider what I'd give up.

Trekker, if you really want to go extreme and have it go to something good in the end, look into Blood:Water Mission's 40 days of water. It's a cool idea where they encourage people to drink only water during the 40 days of Lent, add up what they would've spent on other drinks in the meantime, and donate it to wells and safe blood clinics in Africa: http://www.bloodwatermission.com/

I tried it one year, and it was hard, if only because I felt obligated to order at least a pop, much less a beer, if I went to the pub with friends.

 

[Kestra]

I usually miss the beginning of Lent and forget to even consider what I'd give up.

Trekker, if you really want to go extreme and have it go to something good in the end, look into Blood:Water Mission's 40 days of water. It's a cool idea where they encourage people to drink only water during the 40 days of Lent, add up what they would've spent on other drinks in the meantime, and donate it to wells and safe blood clinics in Africa: http://www.bloodwatermission.com/

I tried it one year, and it was hard, if only because I felt obligated to order at least a pop, much less a beer, if I went to the pub with friends.

I like that idea a lot! I tend to drink water anyway, but I think that would be a nice goal. I'm not giving anything up for Lent because I'm not Catholic. The changes I've been making to my lifestyle are meant to be permanent ones.

 

[Davros]

I'm giving up personal sacrifice.

 

[Mr. B]

Lent is one of several reasons my parents left the catholic church... yet another mandate absent from the Bible. It's just an insult to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus.

 

[Vulcan Princess]

I'm giving up chocolate.

Lent is one of several reasons my parents left the catholic church... yet another mandate absent from the Bible. It's just an insult to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus.

I'm not Catholic, but I am Christian. While Lent itself isn't mentioned in the Bible, fasting is. I see Lent as an opportunity to focus a little extra on God.

My co-workers all keep candy dishes on their desks. They're filled with chocolate. Every time I walk by and want to take a piece, I remember that I gave up chocolate for Lent, and I think about Jesus and what He did for me.

 

[DimesDan]

I told my girlfriend yesterday that I was going to give up sex for Lent, she gave me a really rather horrible look!!!!

On telling her about this thread, she said I should give up Trek!!!!

I think I know which one will be easier to give up

 

[Holdfast]

Never bothered with Lent. Even forget about Pancake Day this year.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I lent my Sister my copy of Bubba Ho-Tep and she ruined it. So I guess I gave up Bubba Ho-Tep for lent.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Now I'm not Catholic so I'm not technically "required" to give something up by religious doctrine but I've also felt that giving something up is "part of the season" and just something you do Catholic or not....

A friend of mine said he's doing something similar only instead of giving up a "vice" he's taking up a "virtue."

Except for fasting on Fridays, giving something up for Lent is not required of Catholics; it's tradition.

I like your friend's approach. I am using Lent to try to get back to praying every day.

I'm giving up Governor Scott Walker.

Trekker, if you really want to go extreme and have it go to something good in the end, look into Blood:Water Mission's 40 days of water. It's a cool idea where they encourage people to drink only water during the 40 days of Lent, add up what they would've spent on other drinks in the meantime, and donate it to wells and safe blood clinics in Africa: http://www.bloodwatermission.com/

I tried it one year, and it was hard, if only because I felt obligated to order at least a pop, much less a beer, if I went to the pub with friends.

Wonderful idea, and I'll bet it really was hard!

Lent is one of several reasons my parents left the catholic church... yet another mandate absent from the Bible. It's just an insult to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus.

I'm not Catholic, but I am Christian. While Lent itself isn't mentioned in the Bible, fasting is. I see Lent as an opportunity to focus a little extra on God.

Yes, Lent isn't just about sacrifice, as Mr. B. seems to imply. It's a season to concentrate on getting closer to God.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I might give up the TrekBBS.