Question about the fast

wombatwolf · 01-27-2012, 03:18 PM

Hi everyone-

So one reason I have not joined the faith is that I am currently running track and field for my high school, but the 19 day- fast is right in the middle of the season- not eating (substantially) during this time with all the running would be physically harmful--and I do not want to become a member of the faith if this would be disregarding the fast (a primary tenet..)

It's not even really a matter of eating less, I would have to eat more than I usually do to keep up carbs and calories to have more energy...and I feel like this would be bad to do since it would be in the middle of the fast.

What would you good people advise? I am not going to compete in track in college (2 years from now), so I could just wait until then- or I wonder if it would be "okay" to not fast during this time?

Sen McGlinn · 01-27-2012, 03:31 PM

I think this is relevant:

76. QUESTION: Concerning observance of the Fast by
people engaged in hard labour during the month of
fasting.

ANSWER: Such people are excused from fasting;
however, in order to show respect to the law of
God and for the exalted station of the Fast, it is
most commendable and fitting to eat with
frugality and in private.

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 129)

The question is analogous to the issue of sport on Sunday, for some Christian sportsmen. I think that some religious laws should be regarded as fully applicable in a society that takes account of these laws and does not put individuals in the position of making hard choices that are not immediately relevant to the religious purpose of the law -- and only relatively applicable in a society that is only relatively adapted to the presence of believers in society.

Just my take on it: as so often it's a matter of personal conscience. There are no gurus in the Bahai community who can answer questions for you, yet consultation -- even on a matter of personal conscience -- often produces insights and knowledge you would not have on your own.

arthra · 01-27-2012, 04:36 PM

"...one reason I have not joined the faith is that I am currently running track and field for my high school, but the 19 day- fast is right in the middle of the season- not eating (substantially) during this time with all the running would be physically harmful--and I do not want to become a member of the faith if this would be disregarding the fast (a primary tenet..)"

Heavy labor, traveling long distances, illness, cycles, pregnancy...nursing, etc. are all reasons not to fast..

Hard labor by the way means you probably don't have a choice to work hard for earning a living so it is a mercy from Baha'u'llah you don't have to fast.

No body is standing over you to see if you are fasting when you're supposed to either... I know of several occasions when I broke fast just by impulse as somebody offered me a plate and I oooppps!

Fasting provides us with an excellent discipline and once that is mastered we can master other areas of our activities that are shall we say needing some control.. I won't go into what these are butthey are usually associated with our appetities..If we can master our appetites it will help us with issues we have in later life.

Seriously though my Faith is more important to me than a lot of things and later in life it's also been a guide for me..Fasting is one thing where we are asked to sacrifice and our Fast is always the same time of year and a good deal shorter than say fasts for Muslims who have to fast thirty days or so at various times of the lunar year. I would hope my belief in Baha'u'llah counts for something and is worth a sacrifice.

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas states:

"We have commanded you to pray and fast from the beginning of maturity [15 year]; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.... The traveler, the ailing, those who are with child or giving suck, are not bound by the fast.... Abstain from food and drink, from sunrise to sundown, and beware lest desire deprive you of this grace that is appointed in the Book."

~ Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 236

The nineteen-day fast [1] is a duty to be observed by all. All should abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This fast is conducive to the spiritual development of the individual. The Greatest Name should be read every day.

[1 From March 2d to March 20th, inclusive. The fast is kept by refraining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.]

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 56

Be firm in the worship of God, fasting, praying, imploring and invoking unto thy God, the Generous; so that He shall destine to thee the honor of sacrifice in the path of thy Beloved, the Ancient.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 104

What I have found personally is that during the time I would normally be eating a meal I read the prayers for the Fast..

01-27-2012, 03:18 PM	#1
wombatwolf Member Joined: Jul 2011 From: Georgia Posts: 36	Question about the fast Hi everyone- So one reason I have not joined the faith is that I am currently running track and field for my high school, but the 19 day- fast is right in the middle of the season- not eating (substantially) during this time with all the running would be physically harmful--and I do not want to become a member of the faith if this would be disregarding the fast (a primary tenet..) It's not even really a matter of eating less, I would have to eat more than I usually do to keep up carbs and calories to have more energy...and I feel like this would be bad to do since it would be in the middle of the fast. What would you good people advise? I am not going to compete in track in college (2 years from now), so I could just wait until then- or I wonder if it would be "okay" to not fast during this time?

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01-27-2012, 03:31 PM	#2
Sen McGlinn Senior Member Joined: Aug 2010 From: Leiden, the Netherlands Posts: 248	I think this is relevant: 76. QUESTION: Concerning observance of the Fast by people engaged in hard labour during the month of fasting. ANSWER: Such people are excused from fasting; however, in order to show respect to the law of God and for the exalted station of the Fast, it is most commendable and fitting to eat with frugality and in private. (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 129) The question is analogous to the issue of sport on Sunday, for some Christian sportsmen. I think that some religious laws should be regarded as fully applicable in a society that takes account of these laws and does not put individuals in the position of making hard choices that are not immediately relevant to the religious purpose of the law -- and only relatively applicable in a society that is only relatively adapted to the presence of believers in society. Just my take on it: as so often it's a matter of personal conscience. There are no gurus in the Bahai community who can answer questions for you, yet consultation -- even on a matter of personal conscience -- often produces insights and knowledge you would not have on your own.

01-27-2012, 04:36 PM	#3
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 From: California Posts: 3,062	"...one reason I have not joined the faith is that I am currently running track and field for my high school, but the 19 day- fast is right in the middle of the season- not eating (substantially) during this time with all the running would be physically harmful--and I do not want to become a member of the faith if this would be disregarding the fast (a primary tenet..)" Heavy labor, traveling long distances, illness, cycles, pregnancy...nursing, etc. are all reasons not to fast.. Hard labor by the way means you probably don't have a choice to work hard for earning a living so it is a mercy from Baha'u'llah you don't have to fast. No body is standing over you to see if you are fasting when you're supposed to either... I know of several occasions when I broke fast just by impulse as somebody offered me a plate and I oooppps! Fasting provides us with an excellent discipline and once that is mastered we can master other areas of our activities that are shall we say needing some control.. I won't go into what these are butthey are usually associated with our appetities..If we can master our appetites it will help us with issues we have in later life. Seriously though my Faith is more important to me than a lot of things and later in life it's also been a guide for me..Fasting is one thing where we are asked to sacrifice and our Fast is always the same time of year and a good deal shorter than say fasts for Muslims who have to fast thirty days or so at various times of the lunar year. I would hope my belief in Baha'u'llah counts for something and is worth a sacrifice. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas states: "We have commanded you to pray and fast from the beginning of maturity [15 year]; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.... The traveler, the ailing, those who are with child or giving suck, are not bound by the fast.... Abstain from food and drink, from sunrise to sundown, and beware lest desire deprive you of this grace that is appointed in the Book." ~ Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 236 The nineteen-day fast [1] is a duty to be observed by all. All should abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This fast is conducive to the spiritual development of the individual. The Greatest Name should be read every day. [1 From March 2d to March 20th, inclusive. The fast is kept by refraining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.] ~ Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 56 Be firm in the worship of God, fasting, praying, imploring and invoking unto thy God, the Generous; so that He shall destine to thee the honor of sacrifice in the path of thy Beloved, the Ancient. ~ Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 104 What I have found personally is that during the time I would normally be eating a meal I read the prayers for the Fast..