Quick point is, that?s entirely up to you. If you find benefit in participating in a certain shared, social ritual and accept to stick the normal dates and practices (regardless of what sort of institution is the guardian of these) go ahead. If not, don?t. The interesting point is asking how shared behaviour developed in human society and how it became entrenched in things like religion, culture and even law and government. It's not going to lead you to any answers about whether or not to give something up for lent but it is an interesting line of enquiry.