Religious Fasting explores the widespread spiritual practice of abstaining from food and drink across various faiths. It examines fasting not just as deprivation, but as a deliberate act of devotion and self-reflection. The book reveals that despite diverse forms, religious fasting serves as a universal tool for self-transformation and connection with the divine. Interestingly, fasting can also be seen as a way to promote communal identity and social cohesion, highlighting its impact beyond the individual.
The book begins by tracing fasting's origins and examining its physiological and psychological effects. From there, it explores fasting rituals in specific religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, detailing unique customs and theological underpinnings. Through this comparative approach, the book avoids prioritizing one religious perspective, instead seeking common threads and significant differences.
Ultimately, Religious Fasting analyzes shared themes, drawing conclusions about the universal human desire for spiritual growth.
