This puts you and I in an excellent position, Jonathan. Now that we can accept each other as believer and non-believer, that leaves us free to learn about each other.
Like earlier, I learned about the Catholic tradition of denying self-indulgence on Fridays (I paraphrase) when I asked about the ‘fish on Fridays’ custom which I had observed among the Catholics.
You can ask me things about atheists which you don’t understand.
I hope you stay and do just that!
The quotes I have given Les earlier is why the fasting in the Catholic Religion it is a highly religios time and starts the ministry of Jesus Christ immediately after his baptism.
Matthew 4: 1 - 11
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.
3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But he answered, “It is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, He will give his angels charge of you,’ and
On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them;
9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.