Fasting and Feasting in Religious Traditions

We enter into this world, among other things—hungry! Shortly before we draw our last breath, we being our final journey by voluntarily abstaining from food and even water. In the course of our lives, regardless of ethnicity or class, we come together and share food in times of celebration and remembrance, and we may find ourselves forgoing food at times of trauma or sorrow. This rhythm of the human body, one of feasting at times, and other times fasting, has been ritualized in spiritual life in many religions, cultures, and historical moments. As the global community looks ahead to the start of three major religions’ observances–Ramadan (February 28), Lent (March 4), and Passover (April 12)—come join us for a talk by Kristine Zakarison, a retired minister of the United Church of Christ. Hosted by the WSU Pullman Common Reading Program and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU.