LENT- I was raised Catholic and currently am pretty much non-practicing anything..?

Question

but when I grew up I went to Catholic school etc...and Lent was huge deal..i.e. Mass most days during Lent, giving up things for Lent etc...I realize that Protestant religions have Good Friday & Easter Sunday & so am sure they have "Lent" but is it such a big deal to other Christian religions as it is in the RC church..just curious...never hung with a whole lot of non-Cathoics

Answer 1

Catholic and Protestant are not Christian because they are not following what Jesus Christ had commanded. A Christian is a followers of Christ if someone does not follow what Jesus is ordained then they are not Christian. In the early Christian they do not practicing this kind of stuff.

Answer 2

Lent is the time before Easter meant to commemorate the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert, facing the temptations set forth by Satan. While a previous answer is correct, that Jesus never said anything about Lent, His actions were definitely a starting point for what we now know as Lent.

Some Protestant faiths do celebrate the time of Lent ... the Lutherans and Anglicans are two. It is a wonderful time for reflection, prayer, and repentance. Other Protestant denominations don't observe the Lenten period, preferring just to barely glance over Good Friday, then celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

I think the Catholic observation of Lent gives a much better perspective of exactly what Jesus did for us leading up to the resurrection. His suffering not only in the desert for those 40 days, but his ultimate suffering on the cross, carrying the burden of our sins (which we observe as Good Friday), and dying for our sins. After all, He had to die for us before He could again rise for us, didn't he?

Answer 3

So I'm not Christian, but I grew up Episcopalian and I went to Catholic School, so I know all about Lent.

The thing about Lent is, Jesus never said a thing about Lent, in fact, there is no evidence that he was resurrected on Easter (if at all). The entire reason for Easter being in the Springtime was because of the Pagan holiday Ostara named after the Goddess of Springtime Ostara called Easter in other dialects. Her companion was a white rabbit and the Pagans decorated eggs to symbolize fertility of the land in spring.

Lent itself was initiated because of the Pagan observation of the dismal last 6 weeks of winter. Also, the Romans had the festival of Lupercalia which usually lasted until the Vernal Equinox.

The no meat on Friday is definitely a Catholic thing. I wasn't very popular at Catholic school so I used to have my mom bring in the best Barbecue Beef sandwiches on Fridays during Lent, it was my revenge.

Not to say I didn't give up anything for Lent. Episcopalians observe Lent, they just don't think that giving up meat is necessary. I used to give up something, like TV or movies or a certain toy.

This is before I started to doubt my religion altogether, which I am wondering if that isn't happening to you.

If you consider yourself Christian, remember Jesus said What you Hold True on Earth, I'll hold true in heaven. If you want to take Lent as a tribute to Jesus, then go right ahead.

I'm also a little shocked that you have such an exclusive crowd of friends. You've never hung out with non-Catholics? Wow. My best friends at Catholic School were Hindu and Buddhist. I think you should broaden your horizons. Try looking into the way others live their lives and their faith. Maybe you will find your own path.

Answer 4

Protestant view of Lent verses Catholic

Many Catholics understand giving something up for Lent as a way to gain blessing from God. The Bible does not teach that such acts have any merit with God (Isaiah 64:6). In fact, the New Testament teaches us that our acts of fasting and repentance should be done in a manner that does not attract attention to ourselves: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).

Fasting is a good thing when it is done with a Biblical perspective. It is good and pleasing to God when we give up sinful habits and practices. There is absolutely nothing wrong with setting aside a time where we focus on Jesus' death and resurrection. However, these "practices" are things we should be doing every day of the year, not just for 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. If you feel led of the Lord to observe Lent, you are free to do so. Be sure to focus on the time as you repenting from your sins and consecrating yourself to God - not on trying to earn God's favor or increase His love

Answer 5

It's really designed to give yourself a chance to restore discipline as well as focus on your health and spirituality. Fasting is an excellent practise and should be observed at least for 1 month in a year. Their are health benefits attached to it as well and their are many types of fasting- fruit, vegetable, liquid (natural juices), water etc.

I was raised as Catholic too and i don't identify myself with the church anymore but i've made fasting a part of my life...not necessarily at lent but anytime i feel the need to do so.

Answer 6

Protestants don't practice Lent. They believe that you can fast anytime and any place not just one specific time out of the year. Some never fast.

Answer 7

Lent is about giving something up, and the best thing to give up is law law, whether RC or Protestant; For both religions seem to be law law about sacrifice to the point of harming themselves and others.
http://www.godshew.org/TwainShew4.htm#Laws

There is no law at all in "the God of all grace".
There is no darkness in that God is light void of darkness.
There is no sacrifice at all in "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice".
http://www.godshew.org/ShewBread5.htm#willx2

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 8

The Catholic Church and many other Christians Churches follow the Biblical practice of Jesus Christ and the Jews in setting aside days where the entire Church fasts and prays as one in a attitude of constant renewal.

By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert and in spiritual preparation for the celebration of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

This season of penance is an intense moments of the Church's penitential practice and are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and charitable and missionary works.

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

From my experience, it depends on the individual church. I was a Baptist and I took it seriously when I was a Christian. But most of them leave it to the person.

Answer 10

No lent isn't practiced by the southern baptist. its a individual decision