Lenten Fasting

[amyshawn1]

Is it a sin if non-Catholics do not observe fasting days or abstinence of meat
on Fridays during Lent. I believe it is a sin for us as Catholics to willingly not observe and
practice these acts. I know in other cases a sin is a sin. In other words stealing or lying
would be a sin if you were Catholic or Protestant.

Thanks so much for your time!

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

Is it a sin if non-Catholics do not observe fasting days or abstinence of meat
on Fridays during Lent. I believe it is a sin for us as Catholics to willingly not observe and
practice these acts. I know in other cases a sin is a sin. In other words stealing or lying
would be a sin if you were Catholic or Protestant.

Thanks so much for your time!

Well, I am Episcopalian, and I attempt to observe the fast along Catholic lines. But I do so for my own spiritual edification and not to flee from sin. I do not at this point accept the legislative authority of any church (RCC included) when it comes to declaring sins in absence of scriptural warrant. Similarly, I attempt to attend church every Sunday, not because I feel there is a Sunday obligation, but because I feel that weekly attendance is the way to foster a right relationship with the Almighty.

So, now let me ask, for a Catholic to choose to not observe the fast, or to miss mass on Sunday, are those venial sins, or mortal sins?

 

[Xavierlives]

Is it a sin if non-Catholics do not observe fasting days or abstinence of meat
on Fridays during Lent. I believe it is a sin for us as Catholics to willingly not observe and
practice these acts. I know in other cases a sin is a sin. In other words stealing or lying
would be a sin if you were Catholic or Protestant.

Thanks so much for your time!

Well if the non-catholics you ask of would be protestants, I think as previously mentioned, some protestants do observe lent. Those who do not observe lent as a part of their faith, then I’d say you when then be asking about whether the Holy Spirit might convict someone to follow lent on an individual basis. Then I would say, if they do not do it when the Holy Spirit is convicting them to do so, then they sin.

I could also list a series of scriptures of that says, do not do as the pharisees do and fast and pray in public, for they receive their reward then. But instead, pray and fast in private. Your father sees what you do in private and rewards you. So, don’t toot your horn while you are doing what you are doing and God will reward your efforts. While this isn’t sin, we should not be seeking our edification but God’s glorification.

 

[StillWondering]

Well, I am Episcopalian, and I attempt to observe the fast along Catholic lines. But I do so for my own spiritual edification and not to flee from sin. I do not at this point accept the legislative authority of any church (RCC included) when it comes to declaring sins in absence of scriptural warrant. Similarly, I attempt to attend church every Sunday, not because I feel there is a Sunday obligation, but because I feel that weekly attendance is the way to foster a right relationship with the Almighty.

So, now let me ask, for a Catholic to choose to not observe the fast, or to miss mass on Sunday, are those venial sins, or mortal sins?

This is my just thought since I was not a good catechism student when I was young .

I think it is a venial sin if we didn’t really think about it much and eat meat on Fridays. I think it’s a mortal sin if we, as Catholics, say “pfft, God didn’t give the Church no authority to say what I eat and don’t eat!” or other acts of deliberate disobedience.

I do know that there are faithful priests out there who get really upset when we miss our Lenten fast and abstinence because they feel we are teaching ourselves to be lukewarm in our faith and trust. That God is not important enough. These priests feel, and rightly so, that we are endangering ourselves and misunderstand God’s gift to us as Catholics. Jesus did say He would vomit us out who are lukewarm.

To get back to the OP, from what I understand Canon Law applies to Catholics only and those that are directly connected to Catholics in regards to Catholic issues. So protestants that observe Lent are not bound by the same rules.

I think all I said above is correct, but I am no authority nor am I knowledgeable.

 

[NDfan]

Is it a sin if non-Catholics do not observe fasting days or abstinence of meat
on Fridays during Lent. I believe it is a sin for us as Catholics to willingly not observe and
practice these acts. I know in other cases a sin is a sin. In other words stealing or lying
would be a sin if you were Catholic or Protestant.

Thanks so much for your time!

Our church observes Lent but doesn’t preach no meat on fridays. There’s no scriptural basis for this at all. The initial letter sent from the Jerusalem council gave dietary restrictions specifically in reference to the consumption of blood or consumption of foods sacrificed to idols. There’s never any mention of not eating meat nor eating meat on a specific day of the week.

 

[rev_kevin]

Fasting is a common practice which enables one to get in touch woth the absence of something. Fasting can be in the form of food or activity, something like the internet fast might be meaningful. The yearning for something will hopefully give us a sense of our need for God in our lives.

 

[elgar]

Is it a sin if non-Catholics do not observe fasting days or abstinence of meat
on Fridays during Lent. I believe it is a sin for us as Catholics to willingly not observe and
practice these acts. I know in other cases a sin is a sin. In other words stealing or lying
would be a sin if you were Catholic or Protestant.

Thanks so much for your time!

As a former Roman Catholic now Anglican I refrain from red meat and meat by-products on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during lent. It has become a good discipline for me and makes me aware of the luxury that meat once was in societies. Fish used to be abundant and cheap which is no longer the case–sigh! Most Catholics I know probably couldn’t tell you the significance behind it all. I must admit I look forward to those Friday night fish fries at the Knights of Columbus hall, so in essence not much of a hardship going meatless.

 

[1ke]

Is it a sin if non-Catholics do not observe fasting days or abstinence of meat on Fridays during Lent.

Non-Catholics are not bound by the disciplinary laws of the Church. That includes the observation of penance days of fast and abstinence from meat.

I believe it is a sin for us as Catholics to willingly not observe and practice these acts.

Yes, that is because the Church binds us to do these penances through the authority of the Bishops. Canon law specifies the requirements, and conditions under which the requirements may be dispensed (for example, someone who is ill, pregnant, etc, is not required to fast).

I know in other cases a sin is a sin. In other words stealing or lying would be a sin if you were Catholic or Protestant.

Yes God’s law-- the moral law-- applies to all persons.

Church law applies to Catholics.

 

[jessep28]

Lutherans observe Lent and do encourage acts of penance such as fasting but there are no concrete rules a Lutheran has to follow. The issue you run into I think with most people who observe Lent is that they give up something but never pray or attempt any type of spirtual growth from giving that item up.