Faryal Khan

English 1102-068
Professor Hughes
4/31/2015

Essay 3: Mediation- History of Fasting

Fasting, in religious terms, generally is defined as a period or state in which one
abstains from food, drink, and immoral actions or thoughts. In modern context secular reasons
for fasting have become popular (Tamney). Over the years mankind has grown to deviate from
the spiritual aspect of fasting, and has grown to utilize its practice for more personal dietary
benefits and even for political activism purposes such as protesting through hunger strikes;
which can lead to extreme results such as death. However, a solution can be reached where
regardless of the intention of its practice, the purpose of fasting has always been to re-establish a
more humble sense of being and an increased sense of moral strength, peace, and clarity within
ones mind, body, and soul.
According to the article, Fasting and Dieting: A Research Note, two modern
developments are clear as to why fasting for spiritual gain has declined throughout the years.
First, church support for fasting has declined since the historic period, and secondly, nonreligious reasons for fasting have become popular (Tamney). Tamney argues that once we forget
about the benefits and observance of religious fasts, we easily forget about the spiritual, mental,
and physical benefits once felt after fasting. The theology of fasting seeks to humble a person in
which the practitioner seeks to garner favor or be seen as worthy in the eyes of the Divine (On
fasting and Feminism). Religious fasts, regardless of the specific religion, praise the virtues of
selflessness through the practice of abstention from food- this is thought to be spiritually
purifying.
Joseph B. Tamney also includes a study in his article conducted by The
Middletown III Project in June of 1997, where questioners were sent out at random to a sample

Faryal Khan
English 1102-068
Professor Hughes
4/31/2015
of a thousand people living in Muncie city, Indiana; inquiring whether or not the person fasted.
The results from this study showed surprising statistics; 59% never fasted, 47% fasted for
spiritual benefits, 26% fasted to show obedience to God, 25% fasted for health reasons, and 12%
fasted to display self-control. Tamney states, The dominant historical reason for fasting seems
to have nearly disappeared (Fasting and Dieting: A Research Note). The addition of this study
strengthens Tamneys points regarding the trend of fasting throughout the years.
According to the Encyclopedia of Religious and Spiritual Development,
written by author Elizabeth Dowling, Most fasting worldwide has been and is practiced for
spiritual reasons, but not all fasting is motivated by spiritual concerns. Dieters fast to lose weight
or to purge the body of impurities. Persons go on hunger strikes to obtain political goals. Certain
illnesses are associated with fasting, such as anorexia nervosa. As religious observance has
declined in parts of the modern world, fasting for non-religious goals has increased. Of course,
fasts may include a combination of motives (Encyclopedia of Religious and Spiritual
Development). Dowlings statement agrees strongly with authors Tamney and Stipp, revising the
historical change of the intention of ones fasts.
Similarly in the article titled, Fasting Girls: The Emergence of Anorexia Nervosa
as a Disease, author Jacobs Brumburg believes that the pressure for young women to become
thin and fit an ideal body type is more of an issue which revolves around the psychological signs
in the cases for anorexia nervosa, which he believes first emerged in the Victorian ages. The
study takes a historical review of the role and function of female dieting, food, appetite, and
body image and their relation to society and cultural meanings. This reference of findings on the
use of fasting to draws a more superficial gain in ones appearance and disregard for religious

Faryal Khan
English 1102-068
Professor Hughes
4/31/2015
and physical health. The research shows a great opposing point of use regarding fasting, aside
from spiritual gain, in terms of the history of fasting in the western world. The author also draws
an extreme conclusion stating that anorexia nervosa is a social pressure which has been evolving
in the minds of women, particularly adolescents since the nineteenth century.
Fasting does indeed have many health benefits as it provides the digestive system
much needed rest from the normal intake of food. Considering Stipps findings with the mice
who fasted calorie restriction, within limit, has been shown to detoxify the body and reduce
cravings (Why Even the Non-Religious Should try Religious Fasting).
The solution to overcome these uncertainties that arise due to the changing course
of fasting in society can be controlled and managed by consciously observing ones intentions for
fasting and also one needs to take in consideration his/her personal history of illness/bodily
weaknesses, age, and environment. As Jacobs Brumburg discussed the issue of anorexia in young
women and teens in the past as well as its prevalence in todays age, we cannot turn a blind eye
towards someone who claims to want to fast religiously yet their intentions could fall under the
psychological desire to fit an extreme ideal body standard. Setting up realistic goals and the
appropriate measures needed to take action in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle is key. Using
fasting as a short cut to lose weight is only a short term solution and can turn into an extreme
habit of skipping meals.

Faryal Khan
English 1102-068
Professor Hughes
4/31/2015
Works Cited
Tamney, Joseph B. "Fasting and Dieting: A Research Note." Review of Religious Research 27.3
(1986): 255. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Apr. 2015
F., Matthew, and Bronwyn Harris. "Which Religions Require Fasting and When?" WiseGeek.
Conjecture. Web. 06 May 2015.
Brumburg, B. Jacobs Fasting Girls: The Emergence of Anorexia Nervosa as a Disease. Journal
of the history of the Behavioral Sciences 28.1 (1992): 90. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 20. Apr. 2015
Dowling, Elizabeth M, and W G. Scarlett. Encyclopedia of Religious and Spiritual Development.
Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications, 2006. Web. May. 5. 2015.
Bumb, Nikhil. "Why Even the Non-Religious Should Try Religious Fasting. The Huffington
Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 06 May 2015.