Friday Fast - Is it useful?
 

Like many of my fellow Catholics, I'm participating in a fast today to show solidarity with the Iraqi people who suffer under embargo and as a prayer for peace. To me its not a pointless exercise but I'd like to hear how this kind of thing is seen in the wider society.

Griff, who called for the fast? The Pope? Your diocese? Or, just a group of people? I'm curious.

Well, it's the thought that counts. Will you end the trouble in Iraq? No. Will you draw attention to it? Maybe...but I haven't heard a thing about it here in the media. Of course, I haven't paid much attention to the media in the past few days.

It's your form of protest. You're not destroying property, beating people up, setting yourself on fire, or anything like that. And if that is how you wish to protest, go for it.

The Pope asked Catholics worldwide to fast. Its not getting much play in the US in our present state of hyper-nationalism, however in Italy the fast is crossing over into Marxist/atheistic circles while some right wingers in the church are ignoring it as too ecumenical.

Apparently, its not making many waves here in the states... bummer. Griff

I think it is a very poignant gesture reflecting a concern for the lives of others. I hadn't heard of it until now.

I have a very different take on the Baptist's call for mass prayer for muslims to repent and accept the "true" God. I see that as a gesture reflecting oppression.

I've always been uncomfortable with that part of Christianity (or Judaism or Islam for that matter) that *KNOWS* the will of God. Love your neighbor as yourself. I try to keep it that simple.

Well... paraphrasing jaguar here...

Real Kodak moment... doesn't do much though... Probably be better if all of you contributed $10 to buying some Iraqis some food.

That's the problem with these gestures. They're not useful. Especially when it's getting no coverage in the US.

I also have a problem with religions that try and convert everyone to be a part of it. That's why I don't call myself a member of any church, nor do I subject myself to any particular religion. Be yourself. That's what I say.

Actually, part of the original suggestion was to send a donation for relief to an appropriate agency. We sent ours to the CRS Afghan Regional Crisis.

www.catholicrelief.org

That kinda getting back to the question though. Skipping one day of meals isn't exactly Ghandi or Bobby Sands is it? Since nobody in the States even knows about it its not really doing the job outside of personal spiritual reflection. I suspect even self-immolation would be underreported in our present enviroment.

Don't undervalue personal spiritual reflection, even if the protest value is not apparent. Begins at home, ya know. (just like art :) )

I have some friends working hard at and through www.archq.org American Refugee Committee. non-denominational, non evangelical.

Self-immolation will get you plenty of press, though you're generally not around to see it. Ask Thich Quang Duc.

i can see how it would be useful on a personal level. by doing things like that, it is possible to understand, a little, how people in other places feel, what they go through. you can learn to understand fellow humans better. will it solve problems around the world? no. will it allow all those hungry people to fill their tummies? no. but it can teach us, who arent starving, who are doing ok in relation to others, a good lesson in understanding and compassion. you cant really understand someone until youve been in their place. i wont ever understand why my mom does some of the things she does until i have kids. i wont understand what her life is really like. does this give us a full lesson? no, but it can give us a taste. and maybe some people will take it to the next level and their experience will cause them help to make a change.

who knows...?

I suppose you're correct in that, but there's one thing...

fasting for a day really isn't all that much.

I used to forget to eat all the time. That changed when I worked at *cough* Pizza Hut *cough* (where Jenni was my manager). Not peeing for a day is MUCH HARDER than not eating for a day. Maybe they should try that :)

Anyway, my point is that by not eating for a day, they're really making a minimal sacrifice. Even for the Iraqis, the problem isn't "will I eat today" - it's "will I eat tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after, or the day after, or..." - you get the idea. One day isn't such a big deal. If they were fasting for a week, I can see them getting a glimpse of what it's like to live in poverty and not be able to get the food you need. Maybe that's just how I see it... like the wise man said, "That's just my opinion - I could be wrong."