Do Christians, Catholics and Jehovah witness ever fast?

Question

When does it happen? And what is their diet?

Answer 1

Catholics are required to fast on two days of the year. One day is Ash Wednesday, the frist day of the lenten season. The other day is Good Friday, the day Jesus died for us. When Catholics fast, they are also required to abstain from meat. So we can eat fish, vegetables, fruits, sea food, etc. We cannot eat meat like beef, chicken, lamb, etc. We are allowed to eat one whole meal and 2 half meals on the days of fasting and abstinence. We are also required to abstain on all Fridays of lent and on all Fridays of the year. If we cannot fast or abstain, we must replace these with prayers or forms of penance like giving alms to the poor or other spiritual or corporal works of mercy. We can also repace these with prayers like saying the holy rosary, attend Mass, and other similar devotions of the Church. Abstinence is for people 14 years and above. Fasting is for people above the age of 18. I guess after 60 people are not required to fast and abstain anymore. But I am not sure about these. Those above 60 may abstain and fast if they want but they are no longer required to do so by the law. We also observe the Eucharistic fast. We fast from solid food and other drinks except water, one hour before receiving Holy Communion on anyday of the year. We however are allowed to take medecines anytime if our health requires it.

Answer 2

Catholics are Christian and we do fast during lent. Any body could fast on their own at any time. Lent is the 40 days before Easter. Fasting is more strictly practiced by some people than by others so the diets and practices vary substantially. What other Christians do will vary even more widely because their churches are not united as one. I have no idea what the Jehovah's witnesses do. I only know that they do not celebrate holidays in the same manner as the rest of us.

Answer 3

as a child i was raised in a catholic home.there were fast days.whether these were observed by all ,I don't know.before my first communion were taught we should fast by (skipping the meal) before communion.good Friday was a fasting day.then we had lent which is considered a partial fast in which you give up certain foods or even 1 meal a day.many of my family fasted from meat on Fridays,they served fish in my school cafeteria (catholic school) a lot of reform has happened over the years and i left the catholic church as a teenager so I'm no longer sure they observe these or how any more.

Now as a baptist we don't have or observe special days as such.fasting is usually a personal choice thing.it is the total abstinence of food and can be 1 meal or many days it depends on what that person feels led to do.
a person may choose to fast a certain amount of time if he,s seeking an answer to a certain problem or desires to overcome a sin area in their life. we fast and pray as a church for guidance before making major decisions or before healing ceremonies.
as always fasting is not reccomended for children,pregnant women or the ill.><>><>><>

Answer 4

Hi I am a Christian, I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Do we fast?? Some do some don't. We do not fast as part of a spiritual observance if that is what you meant(sorry if not:D)

I personally have not fasted as I get cranky when hungry. My mother has at times fasted for dietary/health reasons. There are many types of fasts. I know she did water fasts. A friend once went on a "fast" where he only drank fruit juice. If you look up Fast on the web I am sure you can find several sites that will list various ways of fasting, Safely.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Fasting has been enjoined on their members by some religious sects of Christendom, but the Bible itself gives no command to Christians to fast. When Jesus was talking to his disciples about fasting, as above (Mt 6:16-18), he and his disciples were still under the Mosaic Law and observed the Day of Atonement and its fast.While not fasting as a religious requirement, the early Christians did fast on special occasions. When Barnabas and Paul were sent on a special missionary assignment into Asia Minor, there was fasting as well as praying. Also, there was the offering of prayer “with fastings” when elders were appointed in a new congregation. (Ac 13:2, 3; 14:23) Hence, Christians are neither under command to fast nor prohibited from doing so.—Ro 14:5, 6.

Answer 6

"Catholics" and "Jehovah's Witnesses" are both different sects of Christians, so your first word is redundant unless you mean "Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other Christians".

Fasting policies for Catholics have changed over the years, but Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are still the main days. JWs I believe do not have any set fasting policies, but members are free to do so if they wish. Also note that what actually constitutes "Fasting" might differ from sect to sect.

Answer 7

Pastor Billy says: Catholics do and regularly. During the seasons of Lent and Advent the periods of preparation for Christmas and Christ's resurrection and also during informal periods. Contrary to what geez-guy just wrote the practise of Catholic fasting has not changed dramatically. Not eating meat on Fridays is not a fast but abstaining from only one type of food t is a discipline to learn how to keep our desires in check. Today because meat is not scarcity one can substitute other things for meat on Friday as an act of obedience and sacrifice.

additional info: Catholics are not only Christian they are first Christians all other communities of Christianity (Protestant, Eastern Orthodox) stem out from Catholicism. Jehovah Witnesses are no longer a Christian community as they deny the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

Catholics and Jehovah Witness are Christians. A Christian is a follower of Christ. Christianity is the religion, but there are many sects. Who told you they weren't Christian?

Answer 9

{I know you didnt specifically ask about Mormons, but they are 'Christians'..... as are Catholics and JW's}
Healthy, true-believing Mormons fast at least once per month. They abstain from all food and drink, except water, from saturday evening untill sunday - after they have taken 'sacrament'.
the money saved from these meals is supposed to be donated to the church welfare fund.

they will also fast for 1 or 2 days when they have a very important or special prayer request.

fasting is only allowed for healthy individuals and should include abstaining from all food and drink, except water

Answer 10

Since witnesses have no need or desire to follow religious rituals in order to reinforce their faith, than no, they don't fast from the perspective of the faith. There are witnesses who do fast as it relates to their personal health and diet. My mother did it on occasion when she was trying to lose weight.