<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Junoon:</div><div class="quote_post">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".</div> Well when you have children and young teenagers being neglected food and water, the 2 main sources of us living, throughout the day for 30 days, I would want to see some proof this actually achieves anything. I mean look at how many of them are in this topic complaining about how hungry they are, its almost like a form of torture.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Carter:</div><div class="quote_post">I am thirsty as hell!!! Mainman have respect for tother religions.</div> I just ate, and you got 1 more hour <div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">can somebody answer my weight-loss question?</div> Fasting is good for your digestive system, and I dont lose any weight while fasting. I may get hungry throughout the whole day, but I just eat a whole bunch at sunset, so that makes it up for the whole day
Well, monty001 said that it's a practice meant for people after they've hit puberty. So I assume that it wouldn't be forced on children, or anybody who is not in the condition for it. As for Umair and Carter complaining, Mag said that they shouldn't be. So I guess that's just their own thing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, monty001 said that it's a practice meant for people after they've hit puberty. So I assume that it wouldn't be forced on children, or anybody who is not in the condition for it. As for Umair and Carter complaining, Mag said that they shouldn't be. So I guess that's just their own thing.</div> Like kids who are like above 13, they are suppose to fast. Because it's an age at which the kids can handle it, so like monty said, its mandaotry once you pass the age of puberty. They aren't forced on kids. Like for example, a kid is sick, or has some kind of illness, he shouldnt or isnt suppose to fast, unless he wants. Those are the only exceptions, but if you are normal, you should fast. Every kid above 13 doesnt have to fast,but they should. Its a good thing if they do, so they should fast if pass the age of puberty. BTw, I dont care if I complain. Being hungry all day, looking at people eat their food, and just basically being hungry all day will make you complain. Tryi it Chutney, you know how it'll feel. I know I shouldb't be complaining. But your stomach goes bad once it's close to the time to eat.
No, I didn't mean to sound preachy or anything, Umair. I was just trying to respond to NTC's post. I still respect you for fasting in the first place. And, fasting is discouraged in my religion.
So how did everyone's day go? I was hungry seeing others eat and thinking I couldnt, but I think I am getting used to it.
One of my friends who swears a lot kept swearing by mistake. She'd then cover her mouth everytime she sweared. It was pretty funny, but she's getting better at concealing swearing or anything negative in general. There are a lot of annoying people in school though, so it's hard.
^^Yeah, you're not suppose to do like bad things while you fast. That's what Ramadan is all about. You're not suppose to do bad stuff anyways, but it's even worse in Ramadan.
I think I'm going to stop swearing too. That's pretty much the least I can do because I'm not giving up food.
I've tried replacing my swears with other words like instead of the f word ill use fudge or frick. Also shiz instead of the s word, and biyatch instead of the b word. Works for me hah.
I think its a good practice,those who fast undergo challenge and can make them stronger spiritually and you can realte to those who prolly eat a morsel a day, itsn ot impsoeible comn gandhi 20 somethin days
Yeah it's hard for me to stop swearing. I cussed like 10 times today. All by mistake. Yesterday I cussed about 20 times, so I'm getting better.
Iggy, thats a good trick. Thats what I do sometimes. but now, I dont cuss as much because I know its ramadan.
I dont mean to sound like a negative nancy with all these comments, lol, but doesnt the "allowed to eat at the end of the day" defeat the whole purpose of fasting? The other reason why I think its a pointless excercise is, what if you do as Carter said he did, and swear, or say you ate somthing during daylight hours, then what happens? Are you not a muslim anymore? What happens there?
^^No it's not that you aren't Muslim anymore. Swearing is prohibited in Islam regardless of the time of the year. So if you swear by not knowing it...then I think you're safe. The whole fasting from Sunrise to Sunset...well...Islam is not meant to harm anyone (regardless of what the media and all says, but that's another topic on it's own). So, if a person were to fast all day long, that's putting yourself through more pain. Sunrise to sunset...I mean come on, that isn't all that long really. What's sad is that I'm no scholar and I can't really answer all of these questions. There's an answer behind everything. I'll try to find out and give a good explanation.
In response to NTC187: Well, fasting is an experience in itself. Where's the scientific backing? Someone I am sure has done some study -- but that's not why we do it. We're not marathon runners, we're following our religion. Does it make you a better person? Define better. . No doubt it makes you spiritually better, and teaches you humility and gives sympathy to those who are poor. Good motivation for Muslims is that GENERALLY speaking, a lot (not all by any means) of Muslims immigrate from poorer countries (India, Pakistan, many African countries), whose povertly levels are through the roof. It's kindof like a reminder to the older folk, even though that's not the purpose of fasting -- I know for a fact that I've gained sympathy. When I see a less fortunate person anywhere, I pay a lot more attention. <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> Haha, well I hope I did. Questioning a religion is the key to learning more about it. . so if NTC187 wants to know anything else, I and anyone else would be glad to answer questions (regarding anything). The fact that you and Junoon have been quite understanding and open minded is refreshing. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I dont mean to sound like a negative nancy with all these comments, lol, but doesnt the "allowed to eat at the end of the day" defeat the whole purpose of fasting?</div> Not at all, we've all had these questions before. Fasting is NOT to starve oneself, if you go back to the first post I made -- it's much more than that. People tend to focus more on the eating, because that's something they can conciously control -- as opposed to saying certain things that just come out. Fasting is part of the 5 Pillars of Islam, and it teaches piety. Muslims do believe in other prophets, "Christian Prophets," and I am pretty certain Jews and Christians believed Moses and Jesus fasted for 40 days, so in a way, it's keeping up with tradition. Muslims also can have their past sins forgiven, which, who wouldn't want? I can go into more detail about the "rewards" religiously speaking, of fasting, if anyone would like me to. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The other reason why I think its a pointless excercise is, what if you do as Carter said he did, and swear, or say you ate somthing during daylight hours, then what happens? Are you not a muslim anymore? What happens there?</div> Well, okay, I was generalizing hugely with that. . saying "cursing" because that's an issue here. Muslims aren't allowed to curse. But when you're told to make a concious effort to NOT CURSE, then it helps stopping any more cursing later on. Back biting isn't allowed either, nor is being arrogant or ignorant. So, putting these things in practice helps you follow the religion better. If someone were to cuss, they'd correct their mistake and get on with it. Breaking your fast is well, not good. It's in a way, disrespectful, unless you seriously have to. Fasting is like a committment, you're not going to break one half way into it, right? That being said, a lot of younger kids don't fast the entire day, in order to help them get prepared for when they're older. To Carter and Umair, don't complain about being hungry/thirsty. Then you'll come off as if you HAVE to fast. We all feel thirsty, but keep going at it and don't complain about fasting. Be grateful that you're physically healthy enough to fast, and you've been able to witness one more Ramadan. To be honest, Muslims already are seen in a negative light in the western world, the last thing we need is people complaining about fasting. Just keep at it, it'll get better! Someone mentioned Gandhi, and it was never really responded to. An amazing man, to have gone days without food. It's not impossible to fast for a few hours, but days is something I'd like to try eventually. Shard, you're going to have to eat a lot to compensate for my fill! Just some advice to anyone interested in it, or that wants to learn more. . . try it for a day. Don't just NOT EAT, but wake up early, and make a concious effort to be a better person for a day. One goal that Muslims want to show to non-Muslims is that we actually change during Ramadan. If any of you have Muslim friends, observe them and see if they're different (kinder, less ignorant, etc). If they're not -- they might be doing something wrong. If anyone else has questions or wants to learn more, shoot 'em my way and I'll try to answer 'em best I can.
