Is Obesity a Sin?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

I guess I'm approaching this issue as Godsdrummer points out. We've told people, "Don't smoke! It destroys the temple of God (our body)", yet we allow or don't say much about the health ramifications of being overweight.

To me, this is not consistent and balanced teaching and allows one sin, but not the other.

We must ask ourselves this tough question; Will a tabacoo user be saved? Years ago, my indoctrinated mind would have said, "No!" Today, I don't see this as a Heaven or Hell issue, as God's mercy and forgiveness is far deeper than we could ever comprehend.

Remember, if we say obesity is NOT a sin (whatever that level is in food consumption/1 cigarette or 20 a day), we must learn to justify other human failure and stop our dogmatic smokescreen of being Holy.

I personally feel being fat or smoking is not in the equation of being good enough for God. I also feel, that if one wants to improve their quality of life and the lives of their children, we must address this issue with an honest heart without hurling stones at our obese friends.

The tabacco issue in this Country has been a great example of how to help people make the right choices regarding nicotine use. Education about the dangers of something can wake a Nation.

I agree with your post. The amount of cherry picking that goes on as to what is considered sin and what isn't is obvious to just about anyone. Using the same principle that those use to consider tobacco sinful, the can of Coke (NOT even diet!) sitting on the desk next to me SHOULD be almost as bad -and thus, sinful.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by Eniratak

I'm overweight and I'm completely healthy.
The only 'problem' there is is that I need to lose ten pounds.
Seriously. If you're going to say that being fat and overweight isn't healthy, then you need to realize that being 92 pounds when you're 5'10 isn't healthy either.

Your not healthy your young, there is a differance. I am not fat either but I am over weight and that reflects in my health. I in my family we tend to have weight problems and type 2 diebetes. I have been able to advoid diebetes by watching my diet and staying active. The weight problem in america is linked to inactivity, and processed foods which then leads to diabetes.

I know this because I don't just take one veiw for granted. I search out as many views on a subject as I can before making a decision about something. And I don't always take the most publised opinion but rather the one that makes the most sence.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I agree with your post. The amount of cherry picking that goes on as to what is considered sin and what isn't is obvious to just about anyone. Using the same principle that those use to consider tobacco sinful, the can of Coke (NOT even diet!) sitting on the desk next to me SHOULD be almost as bad -and thus, sinful.

Therefore none of it is sin!!! None of it will keep you out of Heaven. You can't have it both ways. Either it is sin and you are lost for ignoring it, because you did not think it important enough. Or it is not sin, but something we need to address to be pleasing to God. This is where I think many legalistic religions get much of their legalism. In one society something was found to identify christians with non christians. And it was preached against as sin. Take the facial hair issue from the 60's and 70's this was preached because of the hippie movement. Now many continue to preach it even though it does not pertain to us today. I beleive that is what Paul is saying about women cutting their hair,or wearing a veil, it is an example of this.

We don't want to identify with customs that would bring shame on the kingdom of God. But this does not make it heaven or hell issues.