The month of Ramadan is a time of daylight fasting and prayerful moments, when Muslims attempt to fortify their faith in the strictures of Islam, as conveyed by the Prophet Mohammed. Occurring upon the appearance of the new moon in the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, the religious observance starts in 2013 on July 9 and ends on Aug. 7, with a grand Eidul Fitr celebration. It is during this month, Mohammed tells his followers, that Allah bestowed upon him the words in the Quran.
From a pre-dawn breakfast called sahoor until the after-sunset iftar, practicing Muslims abstain from food, sex and outward displays of anger or obscenity. Before each of the two meals, a handful of dates are eaten, just as Mohammad once did to temporarily end his fasting with a meal. For many of the world’s more than two billion Muslims, the month has come to signify a coming together of family and friends behind Islam, with an renewed passion for Quranic study.
With these symbolic traditions cherished by so many of world’s people, the Universal Life Church wouldn’t find it strange if one of its ordained ministers observed or discussed Ramadan and the revered Prophet Mohammed in some form with their congregants, be they Muslims or followers of some other spiritual path. Universal Life Church leadership especially wouldn’t be surprised if fasting alone were worked into some of its charter congregations’ calendars.
Apart from the benefits of more deeply contemplating existence and a renewed focus on charity, fasting can give so much more. By bringing ceremony to every meal, a thankfulness can emerge for graces bestowed. And though the fast is really just cutting down from three regular meals to two, the health and weight-loss benefits of fasting are starting to mount, particularly fasts that completely eliminate meat in favor of a vegetable-based diet.
The Universal Life Church, whose only true rule is “Do only that which is right,” lets ministers, rabbis, priests, mullahs and many others get ordained for free and legally perform a variety of religious functions, from overseeing weddings and funerals to sermonizing on their own brand of spirituality.
The church has grown exponentially since its founding. In the 21st century, the organization helps as many as 10,000 applicants get ordained. The organization also has grown to offer online theology certificate courses and honorary doctorates in divinity. Perhaps some have been bestowed upon some who believe that fasting is a divinely inspired path toward a deeper understanding of the soul.
Do you use fasting in your practice? Are you planning to be a minister but are afraid what established religions will think about your unorthodox approaches? Do you want to get ordained but aren’t sure how your own unique beliefs will be accepted? Comment on your situation. The church also accepts prayer requests on the website.