<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just interested to know where the scientific proof of how not eating for 30 days makes you a better person.</div> That's the thing about religion: it doesn't tie itself down to scientific procedures. That may make sense to you or completely baffle you, based on your own perspective. But to come in here, and expect science to prove what can "make someone a better person" is unrealistic. Moreover (and to be more specific to Islam), the supposed benefits of fasting during Ramadan (disattachment from the material, increased devotion to God, sense of community, etc.) are not quantitative criteria. Expecting science to measure those aspects is rather ignorant and naive.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just interested to know where the scientific proof of how not eating for 30 days makes you a better person.</div> I know you're not religious, but that's a strange thing to say. In terms of morals or being a "better person", how can something like that be proven scientifically in ANY case? Regardless of what the event that a person does is? Say if I were to help a blind man in crossing the road. That would make me feel like a much better person, and I would be doing a good deed. It's a moral issue...things like that aren't proven through science.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting deception:</div><div class="quote_post">yeah well i believe greek-orthodox christians renounce certain foods like meat or fast for 40 days straight in a similar fashion to muslims before easter.</div> im a coptic-orthodox (same as greek execept the prayers and churches use coptic lanugage instead of greek) my parents fast, i think there not allowed to eat anything dairy, or any meat product (they can eat fish) for 40 days, they also fast during other times but i dont remeber when
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just interested to know where the scientific proof of how not eating for 30 days makes you a better person.</div> Try it. You'd be surprised. Fasting is not only of the "stomach" but also the tongue, ears, and eyes. Not only are we supposed to not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, but we're not supposed to say bad things (backbite, curse, etc.), hear bad things (move away or tell them to stop), or watch bad things (many people do not watch movies during Ramadan. . something I am going to try to do). I started when I was 7-8, I think it was 8, but I remember fasting a little when I was younger. It really isn't that hard, after a few years you get used to it, and look forward to doing it. To be honest, one feels different when they're fasting, because, unlike other things -- no one can tell you're actually fasting unless they ask you. Fasting is something ONLY between you and God (in my humble opinion), and that makes it a bit special. A little advice to those youngin's fasting, don't complain about how hungry you are, that defeats the purpose. Good luck guys, and think of fasting as a gift. . not something you HAVE to do. Be proud that you're fasting and don't go boasting about it (not saying anyone here is).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just interested to know where the scientific proof of how not eating for 30 days makes you a better person.</div> It's not meant to make you a better person, it's to show appreciation for the things that you have and it helps realise how people less fortunate are living. I'm not sure why Muslims fast but I'm assuming it's because either someone in their history went through a time without food or it's to show appreciation.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mag:</div><div class="quote_post">Try it. You'd be surprised. Fasting is not only of the "stomach" but also the tongue, ears, and eyes. Not only are we supposed to not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, but we're not supposed to say bad things (backbite, curse, etc.), hear bad things (move away or tell them to stop), or watch bad things (many people do not watch movies during Ramadan. . something I am going to try to do). I started when I was 7-8, I think it was 8, but I remember fasting a little when I was younger. It really isn't that hard, after a few years you get used to it, and look forward to doing it. To be honest, one feels different when they're fasting, because, unlike other things -- no one can tell you're actually fasting unless they ask you. Fasting is something ONLY between you and God (in my humble opinion), and that makes it a bit special. A little advice to those youngin's fasting, don't complain about how hungry you are, that defeats the purpose. Good luck guys, and think of fasting as a gift. . not something you HAVE to do. Be proud that you're fasting and don't go boasting about it (not saying anyone here is). </div> Thanks for that insight. Quite interesting. A couple of my friends are doing it..and they actually curse often so let's see if they can pull off the "no cursing" part.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mag:</div><div class="quote_post">Try it. You'd be surprised. Fasting is not only of the "stomach" but also the tongue, ears, and eyes. Not only are we supposed to not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, but we're not supposed to say bad things (backbite, curse, etc.), hear bad things (move away or tell them to stop), or watch bad things (many people do not watch movies during Ramadan. . something I am going to try to do). I started when I was 7-8, I think it was 8, but I remember fasting a little when I was younger. It really isn't that hard, after a few years you get used to it, and look forward to doing it. To be honest, one feels different when they're fasting, because, unlike other things -- no one can tell you're actually fasting unless they ask you. Fasting is something ONLY between you and God (in my humble opinion), and that makes it a bit special. A little advice to those youngin's fasting, don't complain about how hungry you are, that defeats the purpose. Good luck guys, and think of fasting as a gift. . not something you HAVE to do. Be proud that you're fasting and don't go boasting about it (not saying anyone here is). </div> good posts. i agree
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">That's the thing about religion: it doesn't tie itself down to scientific procedures. That may make sense to you or completely baffle you, based on your own perspective. But to come in here, and expect science to prove what can "make someone a better person" is unrealistic. Moreover (and to be more specific to Islam), the supposed benefits of fasting during Ramadan (disattachment from the material, increased devotion to God, sense of community, etc.) are not quantitative criteria. Expecting science to measure those aspects is rather ignorant and naive.</div> Well maybe I was under the wrong impression of what religious fasting was about, but I still dont see any point to, no matter what you think might come of it, starving and dehydrating your body day in and day out for 30 days. Let me ask those who are currentley or who have fasted in the past, at the end of it all, what do you feel you've achieved?
Umair...fasting is not optional...it's mandatory upon Muslims who are above the years of Puberty. Mag...good post. Fasting in Ramadan is not all about starving yourself from food and water. It's about self control and controlling your desires. Lying, swearing, lowering ones gaze, nothing thinking about sexual thoughts or having sexual relations during you fast. There is a whole lot more to fasting than one may think. It's supposed to purify the heart. During the whole month of Ramadan, if you have a Muslim friend who is an ACTUAL Muslim and fasts with all of the aspects of fasting enforced...you should watch him/her. That person may not do some of the things he/she used to do. The whole purpose of this month is to get Muslims to act this way throughout the year and ones life. I'm not talking about the food part, I mean the morality part. Kindness, honesty, and just overall being a better person. To Non-Muslims, it may seem as if we're just going out and starving ourselves. That, of course, is dumb. You should not fast if you just want to starve yourself. There are other things that come long with it, as I mentioned above. There's so much more to it, but I can't explain it all that well. It is tough, but one gets used to it. If there's someone out there who can explain this better than me, please do so and feel free to ask me any questions. I don't want to state anything that's wrong. Here's an article on Fasting for anyone who is interested... http://www.islamawareness.net/Ramadhan/fast2.html
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Well maybe I was under the wrong impression of what religious fasting was about, but I still dont see any point to, no matter what you think might come of it, starving and dehydrating your body day in and day out for 30 days. Let me ask those who are currentley or who have fasted in the past, at the end of it all, what do you feel you've achieved?</div> That's completely different, though. There's nothing wrong with not understanding/believing it. But, to expect a religious practice like fasting to be explained with scientific proof is just unreasonable. Also, I may be the wrong person to explain fasting, seeing as my religion forbids it. I'd like to see what Mag has to say in response.
i'm just wondering...how much weight do you guys lose after fasting for 30 days? I've always though about fasting to see how long i'd last (in the future)..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">That's completely different, though. There's nothing wrong with not understanding/believing it. But, to expect a religious practice like fasting to be explained with scientific proof is just unreasonable. Also, I may be the wrong person to explain fasting, seeing as my religion forbids it. I'd like to see what Mag has to say in response.</div> That comment was taken out of context, I meant more in general where is the proof, I just wrongly put the "scientific" part in there. I mean if they believe it will make them better people, then I'm not going to hold that against them, It just seems like a pointless practice to me, especially considering there is no evidence supporting it achieving anything in particular. Here is a detailed description of "religious fasting" from Wikipedia: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Muslims believe that during Ramadan, the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad began. The entire month is spent fasting from dawn to dusk. Fasting during this month is often thought to figuratively burn away all sins. Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed. The first day of the next month is spent in great celebrations and rejoicings and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or `Eid ul-Fitr.</div> And yes, I understand its all about belief and what have you, I just dont think starving yourself is somthing you should have to do to follow a religion such as the Muslim one.
Stupid practice? Dude...don't insult other people's religion just cuz you don't understand it. I don't lose any weight afterwards. If you think of it, the only meal you miss is lunch. After sunset, you can eat all you want. Again, please refrain from comments like the one above...I find that ignorant.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MainMan:</div><div class="quote_post">hows ur guys metabolism right now??hahah...this hurts ur body extrememly...stupid practice..</div> The only thing stupid is your comment. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> especially considering there is no evidence supporting it achieving anything in particular </div> What do you need, statistics and graphs to show you how many people felt they were better people afterwards? Like monty stated before, it's a morality issue...there is a point to fasting. You just don't not eat food, you also don't do other things either (swearing, talking back, etc). If you can control yourself, you feel a sense of achievement, a sense of perception of yourself as a better person. Stats, graphs or won't prove that...the only "evidence" is the words of Muslims who actually fast, and they'll tell you that they feel a sense of elightenment. Just because you can't comprehend the same feeling doesn't necessairily make the practice "pointless" or "stupid". However, I do have to point out that most of the friends I have will stop swearing for a month (if they can), but they'll resort back to whatever way they were before. I guess, the practice's true focus works on some Muslims more then others. I honestly don't expect it to work on teens as much unless they are absolutely devout Muslims, simply because they probably don't understand the true meaning behind it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MainMan:</div><div class="quote_post">hows ur guys metabolism right now??hahah...this hurts ur body extrememly...stupid practice..</div> dude, wth is wrong with you? Dont make stupid comments like that. Stop being ignorant, and respect other religions BTW-- Today was the 3rd day of fasting, and I am hungry as heck right now.
monty001 did already: <div class="quote_poster">Quoting monty001:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't lose any weight afterwards. If you think of it, the only meal you miss is lunch. After sunset, you can eat all you want. </div>
