Nah, some Anglicans and Lutherans do, too.
The key to doing Lent correctly is the idea that by depriving yourself of something you truly desire, one is reminded of, in a very small way, of what Christ gave up for us.
Too many people go through the motions, however, and miss the point --- thinking you're sacrificing for Christ or something.
Thanks for that - I've never seen lent explained so well.
As an Anglican I've done it for years from our rector's point of view - don't just "give up" something temporarily, use the Lenten discipline to change your life in a way you can stay with.
I've gone meatless in previous years, and still eat less meat than I used to. I've gone without hard alcohol in previous years, and still drink less than I used to. This year, I'll be taking walks of a certain length on a daily basis, whatever the weather, whether I want to or not.
Depriving yourself of a treat like red wine - only to count the days you can start guzzling cabernet again - kind of misses the point, from his perspective, and I agree with him.
That sounds like the sermon a priest gave reminding his parishoners that abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent was not an excuse to hit the all you can eat shrimp and crab buffet.
I am a Catholic and plan on saying the rosary everyday, which is good for me. I have been trying to justify not giving up the one thing I REALLY enjoy: My soap opera.
MeanWestTexan, you ruined it for me..."idea that by depriving yourself of something you truly desire, one is reminded of, in a very small way, of what Christ gave up for us."
He gave up his life for me, and I selfishly want to hang on to a soap opera?