Rev Michael Redman

Speaking for the Church of England diocese of London, Rev Michael Redman shared:

“Fasting is not so common in the Western Christian traditions as it is in other traditions. Of course in eastern Christianity fasting is much more prominent. The Coptic Christians have 200 days a year in which they fast.

“We try very unsuccessfully as Christians to follow the example of Jesus. He is recorded in the Gospels as going out in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights and it’s not surprising that after those 40 days he was very hungry. The gospel then says that he was tempted by the devil. I don’t think today we need to refer to the devil literally.

“How do we look at fasting in the 21st century? Fasting from meat may be to campaign for the welfare of farm animals. Fasting from food should make us look at those who lack the basic necessities of life. Fasting from car journeys should make us campaign for cleaner air.

“Fasting from alcohol should make us look at our own addictions. Fasting from unnecessary energy consumption, makes us look at global warming.”

Acharya Krishnan Kant Attri

Speaking for Hinduism, Acharya Krishnan Kant Attri shared:

“In Hinduism, we believe that the whole world is our family… Hinduism is a religion of fasting. (Lifting up an A3 sheet of paper) This is a list of the fasting days that we have. Every month we have 3-4 fasting days. These days are not for everybody, they depend on the person’s circumstances.

“Fasting in Hinduism is known as vrata. When people fast they take a vow, for a day of not eating or for a few days or not eating or from water, or even not speaking for several days. We have vows of chanting where a person chants the name of God for several days. Fasts of celibacy. And so on.

“We believe there is a physical, spiritual, and mental significance in observing vrata. It trains and conditions our body of worldly and divine realization. Hindus believe that the soul acquires a body for this very purpose.

“Physically fasting gives good health by giving rest to the internal organs. Mentally, it controls passion, improves will power and self-discipline.

“In Hinduism, there is no uniform practice of fasting, each individual undertakes it according to his or her ability and commitment to a particular purpose or as a dedication to Almighty God.”