Sectarians reject the compulsory observance of fasting because they believe that this ritual turns into a mere formal limitation that distracts from addressing more pressing public and social issues.

Beyond Ritual: Critiquing Fasting and Its Social Impact

Sectarians reject the compulsory observance of fasting because they believe that this ritual turns into a mere formal limitation that distracts from addressing more pressing public and social issues. In their view, the established framework of the fast leads to a situation where, instead of contributing to genuine spiritual improvement, it becomes a set of external rules that disrupt the natural flow of society and even impede its development. One of the important arguments is that public fasts interrupted normal work activities and essentially constituted a “ritual” that would be better abolished in favor of tackling social injustice.

As cited in one source, “One of the reasons for the cessation of sermons during the fast was the radical opposition expressed, for example, in a pamphlet by a certain T.W. in January 1648, entitled ‘Word to England Concerning Its Fasts.’ The author believed that Parliament would be better off addressing the correction of social injustice and inequality rather than persisting with the ritual of public fasts. The Quakers passionately picked up on this issue…” (source: link txt).

Moreover, there is also the viewpoint that fasting is merely reduced to a formal restriction on consuming certain tasty and hearty foods, which provokes indignation among those who prefer to enjoy a full meal. These critics do not see any profound spiritual work behind the outward abstinence and deny the very purpose of fasting, considering it devoid of inner substance. One source notes: “Many, very many nowadays believe that the essence of fasting consists only in prohibiting the consumption of specific foods… and, in practice, they reject fasting, completely disregarding it and not observing it at all.” (source: link txt).

Thus, the reasons behind the sectarians' opposition to observing the fast lie in a dual interpretation of its essence. On one hand, they condemn the enforced adherence to formal rules, which, in their opinion, obstruct the resolution of pressing social problems and the normal functioning of society. On the other hand, they criticize the superficial understanding of fasting as merely a food restriction, which they believe misses the true significance of inner spiritual work and contradicts the realities of modern life.