I am not trying to be stupid or insensitive. I really want to know. There are so many Catholics around me that aren't eating meat on Fridays, but none of them can tell me why.
2007-03-02 06:53:12 · 10 answers · asked by Proud Momma 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It boils down to tradition.
Lent is a time where we are supposed to do what I call a "spiritual housecleaning" in preparation for the celebration of Easter. The traditional Lenten observances boil down to "prayer, fasting, and almsgiving."
The idea behind not eating meat on Fridays is that we are supposed to be sacrificing in a way that will remind us that there are those out there who have less than we do, including less to eat. So while a lobster dinner would be okay by the rules, it completely misses the spirit of the season and the point of the tradition.
The tradition of excluding meat specifically is sometimes traced back to the middle ages when meat was the main staple of the diet of the upper class. (Fish was rare and sometimes considered a "commoner's" meal.) Others say that it has to do with Jesus being a "fisher" of men. Still others say it's a conspiracy by the fishing industry to get more money.
2007-03-02 07:01:30 · answer #1 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Long time ago when the fish markets of Italy were doing poorly, The Vatican decreed Lent to be a holiday that no meat was to be eaten. This was actually a Pagan holiday and was changed to Christian by adding it to the Christian customs by adding Christian virtues.... It still is NOT a HOLY DAY no matter what the Vatican says.Later on it was all Fridays but has been scaled back since then....SO IT's Nothing short of the fish markets were not making enough money in Rome and fishing was a major industry. It was hurting the funds they got from the offerings. The answer then WHY they eat fish only on fridays is the same as most of the rest of the world problems....Simply GREED !!!!
2007-03-02 07:06:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It used to be for all of Lent they'd give up all forms of meat, but they decided that that was unrealistic and changed it to every Friday. It's a lot better for people, healthwise, too.
2007-03-02 06:59:28 · answer #3 · answered by Maddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here in monroe michigan they eat muskrat..a type of marsh rat..they claim the french did this years ago as this creature was really considered a fish..yeah righrt..more like a rabbit and a rat mixed.
this whole lent thing with fasting is so passee
2007-03-02 06:57:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Fasting is an ancient practice. It is mentioned in the Bible.
Open up your Bible, you heretics! Don't be critical of something that you don't understand.
2007-03-02 07:08:09 · answer #5 · answered by iraqisax 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To teach us to discipline ourselves. We do this to put God above worldly things. To remind ourselves that we need God more than we need the things of this world.
God bless,
Stanbo
2007-03-02 07:07:05 · answer #6 · answered by Stanbo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Fatland USA, giving up food must seem insane, right?
2007-03-02 07:02:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because they follow the traditions of their church blindly, instead of following the Bible! THROW A STEAK ON THE GRILL, for pity's sakes!!! ENJOY!
2007-03-02 06:57:01 · answer #8 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
don know
cause it takes a looong time till saturday until the chicken defrosts
2007-03-02 06:57:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
They probly don't no their just doing what they have been told to.........
2007-03-02 06:56:35 · answer #10 · answered by troble # one? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋