Fasting in religion

Fasting is practiced in various religions. Examples include Lent in Christianity and Yom Kippur, Tisha B'av, Fast of Esther, Fast of Gedalia, the Seventeenth of Tammuz, and the Tenth of Tevet in Judaism.^[1] Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan each year. The fast includes refraining from consuming any food or liquid from sunup until sundown.

Details of fasting practices differ. Eastern Orthodox Christians fast during specified fasting seasons of the year, which include not only the better-known Great Lent, but also fasts on every Wednesday and Friday (except on special holidays), together with extended fasting periods before Christmas (the Nativity Fast), after Easter (the Apostles Fast) and in early August (the Dormition Fast). Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) fast for a full 24-hour period once per month – usually before the main meal on the first Saturday of the month and ending with the main meal on the following Sunday – this is termed by the church as fast and testimony weekend. Many church members use this time to pray and meditate to increase their spiritual strength. Many also use this time to bear testimony of the church at a special church service held on the first Sunday of each month. They also give [at least] the money they saved by their fast to the church which uses it for support of the poor. In addition, Latter-Day Saints may also fast and pray voluntarily for a full 24 or 48 hours when they feel that they need extra spiritual strength or guidance.^[2]

Like Muslims, they refrain from all drinking and eating unless they are small children or are physically unable to fast for example, diabetics are not expected to fast. Fasting is also a feature of religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Mahayana traditions that follow the Brahma's Net Sutra may recommend that the laity fast "during the six days of fasting each month and the three months of fasting each year".^[3] Members of the Baháʼí Faith observe a Nineteen-Day Fast from sunrise to sunset during March each year.