Poll: Lent

susanmosley · March 2011

Do you observe Lent by giving up something?[Poll]

Mrs.Hizzo · March 2011

Do non-Catholics even observe lent? I thought it was pretty strictly a Catholic thing, although I do recall receiving banks in Sunday school in which we were supposed to put a quarter for every day of lent, and then donate it to Unicef at the end.

Anyway, no, I don't. My sister's boyfriend is Catholic and she keeps calling me for fish recipes she can cook on Fridays, though.

g00dg0llymsm0lly · March 2011

I'm a practicing Catholic, and normally I do give something up for Lent...but still being pregnant, I figured giving up alcohol/soda/my usual 4 cups of coffee per day/etc was all the sacrifice I can handle at the moment! Sad

norbert5 · March 2011

I am Catholic and have a few non-Catholic friends that observe Lent. I tried to give up sweets this year but the pregnancy thing is getting in the way, so I would say I am cutting back on them instead. I agree with PP the no alcohol/cut backing on caffeine and all other sacrifices related to pregnancy are pretty much all I can handle.

I normally enjoy the sacrifice and feel that it is a good time to work on spiritual growth.

lucylea · March 2011

I belong to the United Methodist Church and we observe Lent, although its not a requirement to give something up, we are more encouraged to give back or spend extra time in prayer. I usually do give something up, as well as do a special Lenten devotion, but this year being pregnant I'm just sticking with the extra devotions.

Andrewsgal · March 2011

Mrs.Hizzo:
Do non-Catholics even observe lent? I thought it was pretty strictly a Catholic thing, although I do recall receiving banks in Sunday school in which we were supposed to put a quarter for every day of lent, and then donate it to Unicef at the end.
Anyway, no, I don't. My sister's boyfriend is Catholic and she keeps calling me for fish recipes she can cook on Fridays, though.

We are methodist and practice lent.

I don't give up anything, but I do commit to praying for 10 mintues a day and and reading my bible for 10 minutes a day. The point of Lent is in the end to bring you closer to God and this accomplishes it for me. my church also fasts on Wednesdays, but I don't.

Emiliana7 · March 2011

I'm Catholic and instead of giving up something I try to do more- more prayer, more service, etc. I figure just giving up something just effects me, unless I try to give up caffeine then that effects everyone around me- but not in a positive way! LOL

So I try to do something that will be positive for me and my community. One of the thoughts behind Lent is that if you do (or don't do) something for '40 days' then it will become a habit (for the good!) and you will continue throughout the year- making yourself better.

I used to just give up soda or chocolate for Lent and go back to eating/drinking it afterwards, but in college (Catholic College) I would go to theology lectures/events and Lent was what one was about and it changed my thoughts on Lent and how to "do Lent"... have the monks to thank for that!

ayram · March 2011

I'm Protestant (Christian Reformed). We don't necessarily give something up but are also encouraged to spend more time in prayer. I chose to give up Facebook to help me accomplish this.

Jerseygirl16 · March 2011

Mrs.Hizzo:

Do non-Catholics even observe lent? I thought it was pretty stI rictly a Catholic thing, although I do recall receiving banks in Sunday school in which we were supposed to put a quarter for every day of lent, and then donate it to Unicef at the end.

Anyway, no, I don't. My sister's boyfriend is Catholic and she keeps calling me for fish recipes she can cook on Fridays, though.

I was raised Episcopalian and we observed Lent. But, that said I am not giving anything up.

memali26 · March 2011

We are Lutheran and we do observe Lent with services on Wednesdays. It's not a practice in the Lutheran church to give anything up for Lent, though I do know some people (usually those with Catholic backgrounds) who do choose to give something up.

tabi_ja · March 2011

I agree with pp that Lent is not about 'giving up' things, but more about growing closer to God. I try to focus on more quiet, reflective time, and spending more time with my family. It's the same basic thing I've done every Lent since I joined the Catholic church in college.

Liz342 · March 2011

I always thought Lent was just Catholic but maybe I'm wrong. I'm Catholic and observe Lent and grew up doing so. We give something up and don't eat meat on Fridays as well as Ash Wednesday. We also get new palms at church on Palm Sunday during this time.

WhitePicketFence · March 2011

I'm a practicing Catholic so, yes, I did give something (frivilous shopping) up for Lent. I also abide by the "no meat on Fridays" rule during Lent, although I'm being more lenient about it this year since I'm pregnant. I try to spend a few moments each day reading the Bible as well.

twh2006 · March 2011

I'm baptist and the dh is catholic. We do observe lent, oddly I do it more seriously than dh. We also mostly observe the no meat on Friday rule. But that's so every easy to do here in NOLA. Nola is a very catholic city so everywhere is Lenten friendly and crawfish are in season!