It's Christian/Catholic thing @shutter - or at least it was until it was hijacked by social media out of sync and out of time with such things as going meat or going booze free for a month as some sort of secular pat on the back.
The original purpose is easily examined but as you say, what's the point... unless of course you are of that mindset.
I do given up with arguing with some people though and we've all been there, and there will come a time when I'll give up on life if it ever became physically painful with no prospect of relief. Until then it's grab what you can and enjoy what you have and if it makes you feel better about yourself by going without something for a month in solidarity, sympathy, remembrance or whatever then who am I to encourage otherwise.
The only thing I'll be giving up is giving up anything... which is nothing as I don't give anything up to start with!
Don't limit the friends you haven't met with arguments you'll never have.
