Self-denial

Self-denial (also called self-abnegation[1] and self-sacrifice) is altruistic abstinence - the willingness to forego personal pleasures or undergo personal trials in the pursuit of the increased good of another.[2] Various religions and cultures take differing views of self-denial, some considering it a positive trait and others considering it a negative one. According to some Christians, self-denial is considered a superhuman virtue only obtainable through Jesus.[3] Some critics of self-denial suggest that self-denial can lead to self-hatred and point to the self-denial practiced in Judaism as having resulted in self-hating Jews.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Arthur I. Waskow (1991). Seasons of our Joy: A Modern Guide to the Jewish Holidays. Boston: Beacon Press. p. 31. ISBN 0807036110. http://books.google.ca/books?id=tvYdiwmnDhAC&pg=PA31&dq=%22Self-denial+or+Self-abnegation%22&hl=en&ei=OSRhTpebNuHJ0AHX75ku&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Self-denial%20or%20Self-abnegation%22&f=false. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
  2. ^ Tina Besley; Michael A. Peters (2007). Subjectivity & Truth: Foucault, Education, and the Culture of Self. New York: Peter Lang. p. 39. ISBN 0820481955. http://books.google.ca/books?id=-whoRdntzrYC&pg=PA39&dq=%22Self-denial+is%22&hl=en&ei=zSVhTtTjN8fI0AHO4enzDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC0Q6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=%22Self-denial%20is%22&f=false. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
  3. ^ Brian Stewart Hook; Russell R. Reno (2000). Heroism and the Christian Life: Reclaiming Excellence. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press. p. 2. ISBN 0664258123. http://books.google.ca/books?id=Ia5xqaIW_YUC&pg=PA2&dq=Self-denial+Christianity&hl=en&ei=LB9hTuSKIKPZ0QHPhaWOAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Self-denial%20Christianity&f=false. Retrieved September 2, 2011. 
  4. ^ David Jan Sorkin (1999). The Transformation of German Jewry, 1780-1840. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. p. 4. ISBN 0814328288. http://books.google.ca/books?id=da22J8ZSaPkC&pg=PA4&dq=%22Self-denial%22+Judaism&hl=en&ei=bShhTrHtK_TC0AHwnKUU&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=%22Self-denial%22%20Judaism&f=false. Retrieved September 2, 2011.