[Nancy]

What is the theology behind Catholics not eating meat on Fridays?

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Name : Nancy, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, City : Tucson, State : AZ, Country : United States, 

[Michelle20584]

I am Catholic but not an expert in all things related to my religion. It is my understanding that Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent as a form of sacrifice and remembrance. Meat is considered a luxury or a treat, and forgoing it is a way of making a personal sacrifice in remembrance of Christ’s suffering. It used to be more common that Catholics did not eat meat on any Friday, but now this practice is usually restricted to Lent (a 40-day period leading up to Easter). Incidentally, I read recently that this practice, as well as some other religious practices regarding what people eat or how it is prepared, may have started because of food safety problems. Centuries ago, when these practices started, there may have been problems with bacteria or disease, so the religious leaders told their followers that God wanted them not to eat meat (or to prepare food a certain way, etc.) and the practice held up over time, although the reason may not have been known.

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Name : Michelle20584, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 27, City : St. Louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : Accountant, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Augustine23401]

It’s not a question of theology or doctrine so much as it is a pious practice of Catholics to do penance for their sins. Christ died on Friday. Meat is somewhat of a luxurious food. So we give it up. Fish has historically not been considered ‘meat’ for these purposes, though it would be hard to take lobster tail or steamed shrimp seriously as penances, for these are if anything more ‘luxurious’ than beef, pork, or chicken. You can also go vegetarian or vegan, that’s your choice. It is just a token of respect to Our Lord and His suffering. By the way, many Catholics think this practice was done away with (except for during Lent) by Vatican II. That is not true. The relaxed attitude of modern Catholics does not accurately reflect traditional Catholic faith or practice.

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Name : Augustine23401, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 38, City : Columbia, State : SC, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[christy32111]

I was raised Catholic, so I have learned that the tradition of not eating meat on Fridays is an act of penance. This has been explained to me as- ‘Jesus gave his life for us, which was the ultimate sacrifice, so the least we can do is give up meat once a week for Him.’ However, i have also heard that the original reason for the ban on red meat was to make more money for the fish industry.

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Name : christy32111, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Pagan, City : st. paul, State : MN, Country : United States, Occupation : college student, 

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