Though not a religion in itself, it is part of so many that it was not bound to one forum.

So, how many of you fast? And if you do fast, what are you fasting from? Do you observe Lent, or Ramadan? What are the benefits of Fasting?

Discuss

I cannot fast.
I am a type 1 diabetic (insulin dependent), so if I don't eat, my sugar drops low, and I pass out.

I don't think I could fast.
I become extremely uncomfortable and weak if I go a certain amount of time without a meal.
My metabolism is abnormally fast, and after eating- I usually get hungry again 30 minutes after.

I remember one time at work...
Seriously thought I was going to pass out.

I also have some slight emotional issues with feeling 'starved'

Blame my medical issues from the past.

Ok, those are fair reasons not to fast from food, but you can fast from doing many things.

Perhaps abstaining from certain activities, or maybe giving up an ideal could be modes of fasting.

I suppose fasting is all well and good, but what are you really saying when you fast? I mean, why is it necessary? Especially in the form of food. What are we proving by not eating? Or by not doing whatever it is we're not doing? The only things I can think of that would be good to fast are things that we shouldn't be doing anyway.
Example:
Guy 1 - "My religion states that I'm to stop masturbating for the next month."
Guy 2 - "Wait... your religion allows masturbation in the first place?"

Well, the main reason I (as a muslim) Fast, is to gain humbleness. Living in America, where food and water is abundent, and where the majority of people rarely think about going the day without food, we don't often think of all the millions of people in the world who did not eat today, or maybe even not a drink of water. But when we fast for the entire month of Ramadan, not eating or drinking from dawn to dusk, it forces us to contemplate the weak and the starving, and to really see how good we have it, and how we should be fixing these problems. When a child is without food today... that just makes me ill.

As for other things, it could be for self disciplinary purposes, like trying to stay away from watching too much television, or other non-beneficiary activities (like this forum )

The Host wrote:

or other non-beneficiary activities (like this forum )

I don't know... I find things like this very beneficial. Enlightening, even.
But then, as I said in my introduction, I thrive on human interaction. I love talking to people, spilling my heart to them, getting to know them, debating with them...
There's a thought.
A set period of time with no human interaction would be a very disciplinary experience for me.
OR
Someone would come find me after weeks and have to pry me out of the fetal position.
-shrug-

I think it is quite beneficial to try and see what you are capable of, as long as you're not like, killing someone o.O

I have thought many, many times to go deep into the woods or off somewhere, and stay away from people for a long while. I think it would do me some good.

Yeah, unfortunately I haven't built up enough "go deep into the woods to get away from everything" days at my job.
I don't think our school would look too kindly upon it, either.

Haha. If I got to that point, I don't think work and school would be upon the top worry list.

Very true... but when I got back to the real world, my reapplication for my financial aid would probably fall through.

Ha, yes, I am sure it would.

Didn't you recently just finish fasting music?