Fasting: The Controversies behind the Practice of Fasting - Essay Example

April Hicenbotham Dr. Jones CRT150 May --, 2008 Fasting: The Controversies behind the Practice of Fasting Fasting is defined as an act or a practice of willingly abstaining from food for a certain period of time (The Free Dictionary). Fasting is done for different reasons, inclusive of religious or spiritual reasons, for medical purposes, or to an extent, for political purposes. Fasting can also be classified as total or partial and this can be done at only one time or for a certain period of time. Longman (2007) clarified that fasting is not an act of dieting or a self – punishment. Fasting has interests me due to the complexity of its claim. Fasting is a word that involves a wide range of perspective. From the early times, fasting has been criticized due its diverse scope of practice. In modern times, fasting in the form of a hunger strike has been employed as a political weapon. Fasting is a broad term that has become a focus over various controversies in the medical, spiritual, or political arena. Since time immemorial, controversies have come out on how to properly practice fasting. As an example, a religious practice that precludes one to do any sexual activity or refrain from eating a certain type of food during fasting has become a controversy that comes together with the proper practice of fasting. Looking back to the ancient times, several reasons are presented with regards to fasting. People fasted for purity, spiritual and physical. However, a controversy came out when some of those who fast seeking for spiritual purity end up being drained. This was discounted when majority of spiritual seeker felt energized after fasting. Moreover, this account was supported by the detox dieters noting that they feel clearer, and from one point to another, felt some form of physical purity. This research paper will open up our horizon to better understand and unfold the complexity of fasting. I. Understanding the Practices of Fasting A. Fasting for Medical Purposes In the context of medicine, fasting is defined as “voluntarily not eating food for varying lengths of time” (eNotes, 2008). For many conditions, fasting is used as a medical therapy, and is utilized for various chronic medical conditions such as allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, headaches, heart disease, high cholesterol, low blood sugar, digestive disorders, mental illness, and obesity. In medicine, fasting is used to refer to the state that is achieved after digestion. During fasting, it is noted that various metabolic adjustments occur and for this reason, various diagnostic tests in medicine are standardized for fasting. It is assumed that a person is fasting after 8 – 12 hours of no food intake. This is done for medical purposes. To conduct a diagnostic test, a patient needs to fast for a prolonged period of time ranging from 8 – 72 hours, depending on age, and is conducted to observe or investigate a medical problem. In certain cultures, fasting is recommended occasionally by modern doctors as a therapeutic intervention. Goldhamer (2001) stated that when carried on properly, fasting offers tremendous health benefits. When utilized properly, the result of fasting can be genuinely amazing since this practice is a safe and effective means of maximizing the self - healing capacities of the body. Goldhamer added that in a supervised setting, people who are fasting achieve health faster than those who do not fast. Goldhamer noted that fasting (cited from Esser, no date) is used by all creatures since the establishment of time, and is used to assist the body in relieving discomfort, pain, and disease. Under qualified supervision, fasting can be the best present to “an overburdened, sick body without benefit of any other form of therapy or treatment.” Goldhamer (2001) found out that fasting is a process that simply involves deep physiological rest to help rebuild power of functioning and help our body recover from dissipation of energy that is caused by daily hectic schedules and living habits that is abusive. Fasting eliminates dietary and therapeutic influences during the state of fasting, and enables a person to become sensitive and connect to his body, fostering great awareness of biological instinct and emotional requirement essential to maintain the health and wholeness of a person (cited from Sabatino, no date). Goldhamer also reported that quitting from addictions to alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine can be easy with the help of fasting since it prevents symptoms of protracted withdrawal from occurring. Some believes that fasting is a restorer of the nature. Pure water fasting cannot only cure but detoxifies cells and rejuvenates organs as well, and is believed to increase the lifespan of a person, attenuate various disease that is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging (Wikipedia, 2008). Moreover, in naturopathic medicine, fasting is considered as a means to clean the body from toxins or diseased tissue, thereby giving a rest to the gastro – intestinal system. On the other hand, another point of view regarding fasting notes that there is no scientific evidence to prove that fasting detoxifies the body. Seliger (2007) reported that the claim noting fasting as a process of cleansing the body has no biological basis since the body is a natural detox center itself (cited from Fernstrom, no date). Seliger (2007) reported that the lungs, colons, kidneys, lymph glands, and the skin have the capacity to act as a natural detox center. Another claim states that fasting as a means of having a detox diet has come under unpleasant scrutiny. In the context of detox dieting, plenty of claims state that only water weight is lost from the initial fast. Natural weight loss would result from cutting the caloric intake of a person. Ryatt (2007) states detox diet is a form of starvation diet and is quite restrictive. Enumerable articles were written noting that detox diet can endanger a person and create a process, so called yo – yo dieting, known to have an unhealthy relationship with food, which contributes an eating disorder development. Furthermore, there are times when doctors recommend patients to fast in the medical science in cases that requires treatment from certain illnesses. B. Fasting for Religious Practices For centuries, fasting has been practiced in connection with religious ceremonies. This has been observed among Christians, Jews, Muslims, Confucianists, Hindus, Taoists, Jainists, and other religious faiths. In the beginning, fasting was considered as a rite where physical activities were reduced to achieve state of quiescence that is symbolic to death or precedes birth. Fasting was also used in the primitive ceremonies as part of fertility rites. These ceremonies were survived for centuries and were held at the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. In the early origins, fasting is connected by some scholars to the symbolic use of matzo or unleavened bread by the Jews on the festival of Pesach during spring (Where Bible Builds Disciples, 2004). For religious purposes, fasting is defined as an act to abstain from food and drink for a longer period of time. Fasting is done for repentance, obedience, asking mercy from God, mourning, and getting ready. This is done as part of spiritual discipline. a) Fasting among Christians Fasting is from a Greek word nesteria, a compound word consisting of ne (a prefix that is negative) and esthio that means “to eat.” Hence, one can state that fasting is from the Greek word nesteria, which means “not to eat.” Looking back, Hebrews viewed fasting as more than “afflicting one’s body,” but rather, they viewed fasting as also “afflicting one’s soul.” Hence, fasting is considered as an act of denying oneself, and that include his body and his own soul. Christians also views fasting as “biblical fasting.” This means to abstain deliberately from food for the purpose of having a better communication and better relationship with the Father. Christians view fasting into three different ways: (1) Normal Fast The person abstains from food and liquid for a period of one day, from sunset to sunset. Usually, people don’t eat during the night, and they can eat again before retiring to bed. (2) Partial Fast The emphasis is placed more on food restriction rather than abstaining from eating although some Christians would argue that this is not an act of fasting at all. (3) Radical Fast The person refrains from eating food and water or food and not water for a certain period of time. Rupert (2005) noted that radical fast is not good to your health and therefore, should not exceed for more than three days. Rupert (2005) added that the main reason why Christians would fast is his concern on the things that concerns his relationship with God. During this time, he humbles himself before God, and abstain from the pleasure of food and would rather concentrate and focus on the thing that is of great importance to God. Figure 1: Picture of Jesus Christ during 40 – days of Prayer and Fasting (Source: Per Christum, 2008) According to Longman (2007), fasting is a part of the old and new religious practices all over the world. This act is chosen by a believer so that no one can act between him and God. This is done in total surrender to the power of God. For religious practices, fasting helps one to bring back God to be in control of their lives as they surrender themselves to God and return to its rightful place. One views fasting as to do with no food. Fasting is viewed as an important religious practice since one can fast from watching television, from doing sexual activities, from buying pleasurable items or even from ordinary goods. Moreover, one can go on fast from using the internet or other things, but fasting from food is more important than anything else. For Catholics, the most enduring hallmark during their practice is fasting during the Lent season. One believes that fasting from food is a greater sacrifice since hunger from food compels a person, forces the hand of a person, and occupies the thoughts of a person. Fasting from food helps a person to surrender to God, to make Him in full control of his life, to make him the Lord over their lives than anything else in this world (Longman, 2008). b) Fasting among Muslims Ramadan is the month of fasting among Muslims all over the world. Hartman (2008) stated that Ramadan is a “month of blessing” and is marked as a month of prayer, fasting, and charity. Its focus is towards self – focus and their devotion to Allah, their God. Ramadan is held on the “ninth month of Islamic calendar” because Muslims believe that it is during this month that Allah revealed the first verse of Quran to Muhammad. Sawm, or fasting is practiced by Muslims for the entire month of Ramadan. During this time, they will eat or drink nothing while the sun is still shining. Fasting is considered as one of the five pillars (duties) of Islam (Hartman, 2007). Fasting serves with various purposes among Muslims. During the time when they are hungry and thirsty, they reminded themselves of the suffering of the poor. This act also serves as an opportunity to practice self control as well as to cleanse their mind and body. During this month, Muslims will feel the peace coming from having a spiritual devotion and kinship with their fellow Muslims (Hartman, 2007). Figure 2: Picture of Muslims during Ramadan. (Source: Houck, 2008) c) Fasting among Buddhist Among Buddhist, fasting is considered as a doctrine noting that through renunciation of worldly pleasures, high spiritual or intellectual state can be possibly achieved. Although fasting is apparently in opposition to the Middle Way, this practice is done to go through negative karma of oneself and all other being, and is therefore seen to be beneficial. Figure 3: Picture of a Buddhist praying and fasting at the Temple. (Source: Kim, 2006) d) Fasting Among Jewish Jews has several fast days, and includes major and minor fast days. Fasting for the Jews involves various reasons. These include: (1) Achievement of atonement for sins and omissions in divine service (2) Commemorative mourning (3) Commemorative gratitude The practice of fasting among Jews means to completely abstain oneself from food and any form of drinks. Taking medications during fasting is generally not permitted unless ordered by the doctor. A Jew observes fasting for only a period of six days. Thus, fasting is not ever permitted on the Sabbath day for it is biblically ordained to keep the Sabbath day holy. Moreover, on major days of fasting, Yom Kippur and Tisha BAv, brushing of teeth is prohibited but is allowed during minor days of fasting. Yom Kippur, the "Sabbath of Sabbaths," is considered as the first day of the 6 – day fasting and is the most important day of the Jewish year. During this time, it is expected that every Jewish men and women, boy and girl would come into repentance. The atmosphere during this time is serious, humble, sacred and repentant, nevertheless, happy of knowing that sincere repentance brings forth redemption. The second day of fasting is called Tisha BAv, and during this time, the Jews will fast to commemorate mourning. The aura during this day is serious and deeply sad. During the first two days of fasting, it is noted that no sexual activity is permitted. The remaining four days of fasting is considered to be a minor fasting and is observed from sunrise to sunset. During these days, men and women are expected to observe fasting; however, sick or weak individuals can be dispensed from fasting if these would represent too much hardship for them. Figure 4: Jewish during Prayer and Fasting, Yom Kippur. (Source: Day of Atonement, 2008) A controversy over fasting for religious reason lies over the act of eating meat. The question that troubles the Christian communities was whether or not they are allowed to eat meat during fasting. And in doing so, commit an act that involves renunciation of their faith? C. Fasting Done for Political Reasons Fasting can also be done for various reasons including fasting done for political beliefs. Fasting is oftentimes used as a tool in making political statement to bring forth a protest or awareness for a cause. Annual events that are developed for a cause use fasting to make donations and bring awareness to end poverty and hunger in the world. Fasting is also used by activists to catch attention and to pressure the authority or a government to act for a certain cause. Other acts of political protest includes hunger strike, a non – violent resistance method wherein participants would fast as an act of doing political protest to achieve a certain goal such as changes in policy (Wikipedia, 2008). Mohandas Gandhi was one of the famous people who go to political fasting (Oneness Commitment, 2008). From this research study, I was able to formulate a conclusion that various groups in the society are practicing fasting. One cannot limit the other person in his practice of fasting, and impose what the proper practice of fasting should be. Fasting, when done in the context of medicine is different when done in the religious or political setting. Fasting is an act that is done for a certain cause, not just for religious practices as commonly known. A person may fast for medical, religious, or political reasons, but one thing certain about fasting is that, it involves an act of denying oneself, and is done for a common cause, for the common good of oneself and for everyone. References Day of Atonement. 2008. JudaicaHeaven. 11 May 2008 . Fasting. 2008. The Free Dictionary by Farlex. 11 May 2008 . Fasting. 2008. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 11 May 2008 . Fasting. 2008. eNotes. 13 May 2008 . Fasting. 2004. Where God Builds Disciples. 13 May 2008 < http://www.wgbd.org/fasting.html >. Goldhamer, Alan. The Benefits of Fasting. 07 Aug 2001. TrueNorth Health 11 May 2008 . Hartman, Holly. Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. 2007. Information Please Database. 10 May 2008 . Houck, Jeff. In Case you missed it in 2007. 01 Jan 2008. WordPress. 11 May 2008 < http://dcharmedone.wordpress.com/category/research/> Kim, Seth. 11 Nov 2006. Vietnam Update. SethKim webpage. 10 May 2008 < http://www.sethskim.com/>. Lent Begins Today for Some. 04 Feb 2008. Per Christum. 11 May 2008 < http://blog.ancient-future.net/category/eastern-catholics/>. Longman, Robert Jr. Fasting as Spiritual Discipline and Group Practice. 26 Apr 2008. Spirit Home. 10 May 2008 < http://www.spirithome.com/fasting.html >. Rupert, Dennis. 2005. Going Faster in the Christian Life. 10 May 2008 . Ryatt, Bobby. 18 Feb 2008. The Detox Diet Controversy. Life Dynamix. 13 May 2008 < http://www.lifedynamix.com/articles/Weight-Loss/Detox_Diet.html > Seliger, Susan. 01 Feb 2007. Is Fasting Healthy? 12 May 2008 < http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/is_fasting_healthy?page=3 > Read More