Fasting is a widespread practice in many cultures and religions, with different motivations and designated periods for its observance. Among the world's major religions, there are significant differences in fasting rituals, but the underlying reasons are often similar.
Lent is a period of Christian fasting that precedes Easter. During Lent, Christians abstain from certain foods or fast as a sign of penance and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Additionally, Friday is a traditionally fasting day for Christians in remembrance of Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion.
Ramadan is the holy month of Islam during which Muslims observe fasting from dawn to dusk. During this period, the faithful abstain from food, drink, smoking and other physical pleasures during the daylight hours. Ramadan is a time of self-restraint, prayer, reflection and solidarity, as well as being one of the five pillars of Islam.
In ancient Greece, fasting was practiced before consulting oracles as a way to purify the body and prepare spiritually to receive answers from the gods. While Buddhist monks practice fasting as part of meditation and spiritual discipline.
Other religions, such as Judaism and Hinduism, also provide periods of fasting during holy holidays or as an act of renunciation and penance. For example, Jews observe fasting on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, while Hindus may fast during religious vigils and celebrations.
In addition to the religious context, fasting has also been used for political or protest purposes. Gandhi used the hunger strike as a non-violent weapon in the fight for India's independence from British rule. Likewise, there have been cases of fasting as a form of political protest throughout history, such as the American colonists' protest against England in 1774.
Furthermore, there have been cases of extreme fasting used as a performance phenomenon, as in the case of the "living skeletons" or "hunger artists" who performed at fairs and circuses in the late 19th century. These extreme cases often had different motivations, such as self-congratulation or the desire to attract public attention.
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