I'm Making A Small Gift To Some Muslim Friends That They Might Use Some Evening At Iftar.

[sandyRoe]

I've bought dates, which are taken with sips of water to end the days fast, but what kind of water? 

Which would be best, fizzy or still?

[MargoTester]

Thanks but why would you attend mass then?

[andy-hughes]

Margo - My wife likes me to go with her, I like the community, I like singing hymns. I enjoy a cuppa and a chat afterwards, and we go from there for lunch with friends. 

[Khandro]

Why not try your local mosque as well andy? 

[bednobs]

presumably cause andy's wife doesnt go there and he doesnt like religion

[MargoTester]

Fair enough. I used to attend the Welsh Chapel with my Mum on the odd occasion even though I had no idea what was going on as it was all in Welsh. The rattle of sweet papers during the sermon was hilarious 😆 

[sandyRoe]

@16:46

How very dare you!

Throughout my entire life I've only ever pulled one plonker, and that's my own.

[sandyRoe]

Good threads can develop, as has this one.  Nothing wrong with that.

[ynnafymmi]

@17.36.You admitted the Iodine posting was a ***-take sandy.Why dont you just admit this is a ***-take also?

[sandyRoe]

The iodine post wasn't a p*** take.  If such tablets offer no protection from radiation, and I'll accept that they don't, then we need to look to our politicians to try and ensure circumstances are such that we'll never experience dangerous radiation.

I've ordered some Palestinian dates as a gift for my friends.  This post isn't a p*** take, either.  It might serve as a reminder that our neighbours are going about their lives and observing their religion in a peaceful manner.

[New Judge]

“I don't think any devout Muslim needs, or would accept from a non-believer, 'ecnouragement' to fast.”

Of course they don’t. But indulging them by giving them gifts recognises what they are doing and suggests it is  sensible thing to do.

“Exceptions are in place for anyone who'se health may be compromised by fasting”

The health of anybody -even healthy adults – is compromised by fasting. In particular by the lack of fluids. It is particularly dangerous in warm climates and in the higher latitudes it can last for up to sixteen hours a day. It is not a healthy or sensible thing to do.

Why do they do it? I found this in “Muslim Aid”:

“Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan? As humans, we are susceptible to sin and transgression. Fasting teaches Muslims to be pious, helping them restrain from worldly pleasures and focus on spiritual growth. The purpose of Ramadan is to establish a fixed training period where believers can overcome vices, learn virtues, and earn Allah's (SWT) blessings.”

https://www.muslimaid.org/media-centre/blog/why-muslims-fast-during-ramadan/?utm_term=&utm_source=google&;utm_medium=cpc&campaign_id=22190889593&ad_group_id=&ad_id=&keyword_id=&;gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cS-BhDGARIsABg4_J1D0rY7WgXYc1vt-2CDkJXKS6DwMI2AuSnORJ0C3js767aX7fy97w8aAi0uEALw_wcB

Any religion that classes eating and drinking among “worldly pleasures” or “vices” needs to examine its principles. They are not “worldly pleasures” (which gives the impression they must be avoided to be free from sin). They are not vices. They are essential to wellbeing and life. To say they must be avoided so as to become virtuous is simply daft.

“Fasting allows believers to experience hunger and thirst, creating empathy for those less fortunate.”

Similarly, any religion that teaches that its adherents must experience hunger and thirst is simply encouraging them to damage their health. Nobody should experience those two conditions. It’s unfortunate that some people do, but nobody should join them voluntarily to demonstrate their “virtue”.

Any religion which advocates fasting should be soundly condemned for what it is -  a dangerous ideology which jeopardises the wellbeing of its followers.