Self discipline is a very good thing to have but totally out of step with modern society, to be forced to fast or wear certain clothing is simply a tool of control and bears no relation to religion. I was beat (bought) up as a catholic when eating meat on a Friday was not allowed and fasting before taking communion, did it make me a better person or more pious, of course not, but the loving, forgiveful Christ I believed in would commit my soul to purgatory for breaking that rule. All these fundamentalist seem to prefer the old testament GHod with his vengeful attitude.