could someone pass on to me the true purpose of something like fasting? and what one gets out of it? pleasing god? proving to yourself that you have self-restraint?

moreover, what does one get from prayer? again, praising god? and/or spiritual satisfaction?

Didn't you already start a rituals thread?
The idea of fasting is similar to lent in giving up something we put too much value in to the point that it becomes more important than God. I think we become too complacent in what we have and practicing ascetism humbles us.

I think there are two views on prayer. One is more like a request from God - which I do not believe in. The other is more for meditative/spiritual/mystic purposes. It helps keep faith as a part one one's life.

Edit: I didn't mean a request from God, but a request for God. More like prayer requests and such. Also thankfulness for what we have.

I'm definitely anti-religion, but I've fasted before. It's very cleansing, spiritually, and makes you think against gluttony and envy. It forces you to realize the more important aspects of life, such as sustenance and even family - to realize and appreciate the beauty of life. It also helped me appreciate people who are sick and what they're going through. Obviously my condition is no where near as bad, but it does open your eyes and leads to more empathy and charity. Suffering can also lead to artist break throughs and I wrote some cool stuff on guitar during the time.

Stay away from heavy machinery though while doing this. you can get quite lightheaded at times.

In Judaism, prayer is man's means of communicating with God.

The reasons for fasting are more complex. Fasting is the denial of both a form of gratification and a basic human need. In this way it can serve as a form of atonement. We deny ourselves in order to remind us that we are less than perfect creatures, and that we continue to strive to be better human beings.

We also fast as a way of expressing grief. This is commemorated in Judaism as part of the mourning ritual.

Fasting is also a route to greater spirituality. Physical pleasure and the fulfillment of basic needs can be a distraction from contemplation. It also reminds us that it is through God that our hunger and thirst are sated.

i think originally they talked about fasting as a way to please god or show that you are able to give up something in your life and saying god is more important (as has been mentioned), but when people fasted for, allegedly, 40 days, guess what? they began to hallucinate from lack of nourishment to the brain, and i'm sure that they saw god in those visions.

They hadn't discovered peyote yet.

Peyote is better in combination with fasting.

To answer ceebs: False hope.

Jammer does not like religion, yo.

Fasting can be good for the body when done occasionally (one day a month) apart from any religious aspects.

For me, fasting is a way to focus. It's one of the few religious rituals I engage in. The periodic reminder your body gives you that you are hungry, and that you are fighting, reminds you of why you are fasting that day. For me, on Yom Kippur, it's about reminding myself that today is the day that I examine my faults and think about how I will make myself a better person in teh coming year. It's not a matter of self-flagellation.

I'm sure it is. My rule was always to eat right before taking acid, but fast before taking shrooms. Nothing to vomit out.

I'm looking forward to Religulous

Me too, Maher's interview with John Stewart was good.

I watched that interview, and the next day c_b started the rituals thread. I'm wondering if that is what got him charged up.

i haven't watched that interview. i'll have to seek it out right now.