Why would someone decide to stop eating? We know that the body needs food in order to function (运行) well. However, many people fast at some point in their lives. Why is this?
Some people fast for political reasons. In the early 2011' century, women in England and the United States weren't allowed to vote. In protest (抗议), many women went on fasts. They hoped that fasting would bring attention to this unfairness. Mohandas Gandhi (莫罕达斯•甘地), the famous Indian leader, fasted 17 times during his life. For Gandhi, fasting was a powerful political tool. In 1943, he fasted to bring attention to his country's need for independence. For 21 days, he went without food. Another famous faster was Cesar Chavez. In the 1960s, he fasted for three weeks. His goal was to bring attention to the terrible working conditions of farmworkers in the United States.
Fasting is also a spiritual practice in many religions (宗教). Every year during the month of Ramadan, which is a religious holiday, Muslims fest from sunrise to sunset. Many Hindus fast on special occasions, as do some Christians and Buddhists.
Of course, not everyone fasts for political or religious reasons. Some people occasionally fast just because it makes them feel better. The American writer Mark Twain thought fasting was the best medicine for common illnesses. Whenever he had a cold or a fever, he stopped eating completely. He said that this always made his cold or fever go away. Another American writer, Upton Sinclair, discovered fasting after years of overeating, indigestion (消化不良）and headaches. His first fast lasted for 12 days. During this time, his headaches and stomachaches went away. Sinclair said that fasting also made him more energetic.
Choosing to go without food can be very dangerous. However, that doesn't stop people from fasting for political, religious or health reasons.
