Hi all! Today is Ash Wednesday, which traditionally starts the period of Lent. In many Christian faiths, notably Catholicism, Lent is a time of fasting, prayer and “going without” leading up to Easter.

I’m no longer Catholic but I still really connect with this time of prayer, reflection and giving up. This year I’m trying to give up unhealthy habits.

Anyone else here who is UU still observe Lent?

Anyone here observing Lent?

As a former Catholic, I have to say I always enjoyed Lent. Forty days of “giving up” something and starting with Ash Wednesday, which is a reminder of our mortality. I always felt Lent was the only mystical or deeply meditative aspect of Catholicism (obviously people may disagree).

Even now as a UU I observe. Anyone else feel similar?

I’m a UU. As such, I’ve been exploring my relationship with God, higher powers and theism in general. I was raised Catholic and taught to believe in God in terms of Jesus and the holy Trinity. I don’t necessarily have any problem with this element of the Catholic faith or religion but I’m thinking about it.

I do find myself using phrases like “As God intended” sometimes for things I feel like are natural concepts I agree with (eg snow on Christmas Day, having a fire while camping, and so on). I say this because I think it’s a cool phrase and adds some emphasis on the idea or whatever. But I wonder how this comes off to other folks who are not theists, of which there some in UU. Any thoughts or opinions here?

UPDATE: thank you all! I’d like to mention that I’m not really a believer in the Christian concept of God, preferring a notion of the Devine.

I’m currently looking into Quakerism which I’ve always been interested in since high school. I have been a part of a UU congregation for the past 8 years. Anyone have similar experiences?