A grumbling stomach for most Ohio University students means it's time to head to the dining hall or Court Street, but for some students it can be a reminder of their faith and religious dedication.
Catholics on campus and around the world are in the middle of Lent, a time in which a few regular eating habits are altered in observance of Christ's fast in the desert, said Father Patrick Gaughan, pastor of St. Paul's Catholic Church.
During Lent, which begins 40 days before Easter, Catholics are required to limit their eating on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday to one full meal and two smaller, partial meals. Catholics are encouraged, though not required, to continue fasting in this manner throughout the entire Lenten season, said Gaughan, adding that this fasting serves a spiritual purpose.
The whole idea is that you go without in order to make room for God to be part of your life and to touch you and inspire you
he said.
Fasting is not limited to Catholicism. Brittany Wylie, a sophomore journalism major at OU who belongs to the United Methodist Church, said when she is looking for an answer from God she abstains from eating and only drinks water during the day on Thursdays.
I fast to enhance my relationship with God I guess just to show that there are things more important than my desires or wants Wylie said, adding that she doesn't feel any physical symptoms of hunger and enjoys the spiritual benefits. I feel like there's less in the way with my relationship with God
like I'm showing my dedication when doing it.
The practice of fasting for religious reasons is incredibly old, said Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, adding that it is mentioned in the Old Testament book of Esther where there was a community fast to avoid potential suffering.
In the Jewish tradition, the most well-known day of fasting is Yom Kippur, which is a day of atonement when Jews abstain from eating, drinking, bathing and sexual activity for 24 hours in early fall, Leshaw said.
For sophomore Lauren Kahn, the practice of fasting on Yom Kippur is very important, and she has participated every year since she was about 13, she said.
She said she would be disappointed in herself if she didn't accomplish the fast.
I think it's just the feeling of knowing you're doing what the Torah says
the fact that you are repenting
she said.
Fasting also is important in Islam. All Muslims in the world are required to fast for 29 to 30 days of each year during Ramadan, said Usame Tunagur, an OU graduate student and the former president of the Muslim Student Association.
The time of Ramadan, which varies from year to year, demands that all healthy adult Muslims, who aren't traveling or pregnant, refrain from eating or drinking from about two hours before sunrise until sunset, Tunagur said.
In the Muslim tradition, it is believed that the routines of everyday life, such as eating and drinking, can lead to a false sense of independence, and it is one of the purposes of fasting to remind followers that they are dependent on God, Tunagur said.
The moment the fasting begins
it strikes through this forgetfulness and reminds you that no matter what you are doing
it can't happen without his will
he said.
Another purpose of the Ramadan fast is to develop a sense of gratitude among participants, Tunagur said.At the break fast time
even if I'm having a very simple meal
I'm extremely grateful for that meal
