SC - feasting and religion (longish)

[Laura C. Minnick]

Hmm...

I've been watching the conversation and wanted to pop in with my two
pence (which may or may not me worth two pence!)...

Has anyone noticed that Lent also serves a practical purpose in an
agrarian society? The end of winter/early spring- stores are getting
low, spring vegetables are just beginning to come out. The temptation to
slaughter liverstock, etc to get through must be fairly high. But that
action would endanger the next year, and could be fatal.

But with Lenten restrictions-

no eggs, meaning the chickens set on their eggs, which provides a bunch
of new chicks (and not marshmallow ones!)

no milk products- during a period that the cow is probably heavy with
calf, and both will be healthier if you let her dry up

no meat, giving your livestock a chance to reproduce and fatten for the
next year

and all that fish was probably good for the arteries!

Sometimes religious restrictions are good for us!

'Lainie