Fasting and health

Fasting and health

Indonesian users of the English language should avoid using
the English word "fasting" to translate the meaning of the Bahasa
Indonesia word puasa. Going without food or drink for 12 hours,
is a regular occurrence for many of the city's poor and for those
who take a long night's rest. To shift the time of day one eats,
from the daylight hours to the darkness, can hardly be referred
to as a fast or fasting. What would Mahatma Gandhi's fast have
been if it was known that he, actually, had three square meals
each night? In plain English: It would have been a 40 day puasa
and no where near the example of self-denial and risk to life
that the word "fasting" really means!

Oddly, the word "fasting" to the English speaking world
carries the connotation of passive resistance and disobedience to
authority or law. Here we see it presented as a display of piety
and a recommended weight loss plan. The puasa does not adversely
effect one's health condition as is aptly pointed out by Dian
Utami Soekanto (The Jakarta Post, Sunday, Feb. 5, 1995). In fact,
the "effect" of puasa can truly be said to be neutral, in all
aspects.

Many practitioners of puasa gain personal satisfaction from
their brief periods of self-denial but please don't try to tell
us how tough it is! Or, infinitely worse, don't think of forcing
the concept on the general public by the closure of eating places
catering to those of different faiths. (See SOEROSO, "Your
Letters," Sunday, Feb. 5, 1995). There is, definitely, no
democracy in that direction!

LINK LUCKETT

Jakarta