Ok, I have heard that it has something to do with sacrifice, which I can only assume has to do with Jesus's sacrifice on Good Friday. So, basically, it is a solidarity with Christ thing. Right...
Last year my roommate gave up chocolate for lent. I know another person who is giving up ice cream. Is this solidarity with Christ or is this dieting blamed on God? There is nothing wrong with not eating chocolate...it isn't healthy. There is nothing wrong with avoiding ice cream, though I most certainly would not. What I see a problem with is the attempt to say, "I understand sacrifice...I'm DIETING!" Of course, how stupid of me...
Who came up with this rule?
Who was part of this conversation?
"You know, Christ gave his life for us...what can we do to understand his great sacrifice?"
"Hmm...I suppose I could survive without chocolate for awhile... How long is Lent, again?"