Friday, March 02, 2007

Death by fasting

I have a very good friend here from Sudan. Last night his Aunt died.

So how did she die?

She was fasting.

She lasted five and a half days.

Of a total fast.

No food.

No water.

No nothing.

No life.

I really don't know what to think. My feelings are all mixed up. Did she not realise that the body can only survive a few days without water? Was this down to ignorance? Did she misread the Bible and think that the examples of fasting described included fasting from water? Was this down to a misguided sense of spirituality, that God would sustain her through this despite the laws of nature?

I don't know.

But I do know that her friends and family have lost a loved one and we have lost a witness to the love of God in this world.

3 comments:

Mark said...

This saddens me. I've taught on fasting before, and people sometimes fight me when I tell them to drink lots of water during a fast. I guess they think it's "more spiritual" (whatever that means) to abstain from water, too.

Pass along my sympathy to your friend.

marcel said...

That's terrible, and at the same time amazing to see how dedicated she was to God. I'll keep the family in my prayers.

Nathan said...

I am sorry for your loss, brother.