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What To Give Up For Lent? How About Facebook?
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by Jon Azpiri | February 25, 2009 at 01:50 pm
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Today is the first day of Lent, a time for people to sacrifice earthly pleasures to honor their Catholic faith. Lent rules dictate that Catholics give up one of their favorite things for 40 days and 40 nights. But what to give up?
Many decided to fast for Lent, others simply give up a small thing like junk food. Other tech-savvy Catholics have promised to give up using Facebook for Lent. The popular networking site is a pleasant diversion for millions, and many are willing to give it up to honor the sacrifices made by Jesus Christ.
Giving up Facebook for Lent was popular among college students last year and has now spread to the general public.
If I give up clams, which I hate, I'm not really doing anything," says Kevin Shine, a 39-year-old electrical contractor from Philadelphia. But abstain from posting "status updates" on his every move? That's a worthy struggle. "It's my candy," he explains, noting that he logs on as much as 20 times a day. "That's pathological."
Some who are abstaining from Facebook see it as a time to refocus on their faith. They also see it as a time to focus more on face-to-face relationships.
"I have a real life here, with children, a husband and a job. They need my attention and energy," Ms. Wentland says.
Of course, giving up Facebook for Lent could have consequences. Friends and family may be annoyed that you fail to answer messages. That's why it's probably best to update your Facebook status to let people know that you're giving up the site for Lent.
If people are having a hard time avoiding Facebook for the next 40 days, there are support groups out there to help out through it. Unfortunately, those groups are all on Facebook.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (1)
at 09:30 on March 4th, 2009
I am giving up my first boyfriend from 1967 at 14 years old. I had never stopped loving him. We visited with each other in January this year for a long time standing in a parking lot. After we started calling each other I started thinking old dreams. We talk as friends and nothing out of order. We both have spouses. So, I will remove him from my emotions and the past, make sure I put God before my feelings & emotions, and know that all things work for the good as I pray to God to help me this Lent. Friend & I will be able to talk again Easter. After all these years we have been talking every week. It seems God has allowed something different in 2009. I am making sure I am not worshiping a dream over Our Lord and Savior who takes care of me. This is one I have cried over all of these years because he symbolizes the man I wanted to marry in time. He is so much better than my present and past abusive spouses.