Is Obesity a Sin?

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

If you have a moment, please watch this. Thanks.........

I watched it. It's information we all know. No one disagrees that we should all eat healthy and exercise.

I'm addressing the issue of judging someone's spirituality by their waistline. As Lisa pointed out, the person we're judging could currently be on a weight loss program, or any number of other scenarios. That's why the Bible addresses *gluttony*, not *obesity*. The state of being obese is not sinful. The actions that maintain that obesity may be.


(and it was a little ironic that the guy on the video who was being interviewed was rather overweight himself)

[RandyWayne]

If most of the more conservative church's/pastors started actively preaching against gluttony, what else would they have?

They should start preaching against bland food (your average pot luck)!

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I think it's very noteworthy that the Bible doesn't condemn obesity. It's condemns gluttony.

Because, as Lisa pointed out, there are a lot of factors involved in obesity. You can't look at an obese person and know the whole story.

See someone coming back from the buffet with a full plate for the fifth time, you pretty much know the whole story there. That's gluttony.

no, you really can't tell the factors involved. I gained the majority of my weight as a young mom and housewife. I was comfortable, married to a tall thin guy who never gained weight and ate more junk food than ought to be allowed. I enjoyed cooking big meals every evening.. I lived to cook because I got a lot of praise for my cooking. I'm the only one who gained weight from eating my meals, but I know now that I can't cook or eat that way. Genetics did not bless me with the ability to eat foods like that on a continual basis.

My father was overweight, but my mother was skinny....the most she ever weighed was 117lbs pregnant and she loved to tell that too... she hated weight and made it clear she thought people were inferior because of their weight issues. I never could be pretty enough or small enough to please her and it has been a very sore subject with me.

I have really had to work to accept who I am, as I am...my weight doesn't define who I am as a person. I also have worked to not treat my daughter inferior because she didn't get the tall/skinny genes. I always felt sorry she was short and chunky in the middle of two taller/thin sisters. When someone is made to feel inferior, it never inspires....never.

Oh well.. life goes on... I just started eating healthier foods over the years and I am more concerned with blood work that comes back with a good report. Your eating habits reflect in the blood work... you can't eat junk and cholesterol be good.

gluttony is the sin, and you can't judge a person spiritually for their weight. I believe we should be temperate in all things. God knows when people are and when they are not. He needs to be the judge, not other people.

[Nitehawk013]

I am 6'1 and hover between 260 and 270 typically. I am built like a truck though, except in my belly. I lift weights and do a good amount of cardio. My numbers are great across the board when I get my yearly bloodwork done. I'm still a big man. So yes...I understand the weight strugle.

It doesn't change the fact that for MOST people who have weight issues it is not genetic. It is poor choices and self abuse. People pump themselves full of cheeseburgers and fries everyday. They Supersize everything. They eat chips, cookies and candies all the time. Fruits and veggies are a treated like Holidays: they one come once a year. Exercise is treated like a torture. They "eat their feelings" instead of dealing with problems. They "hide in the fridge" when things get stressful.

People are killing themselves with a spoon and no one will say anythign because they are afraid they may offend a few overweight folks.

I am workign my tail off now trying to cut fats and calories in my diet because I ruptured a disc and was told the very best thing I can do to keep the pain and problems at bay is lose weight. I also know it is the RIGHT thing to do.

All too often we look for excuses and reasons why it is ok for us to be unhealthy. THAT is the sinful part of it. We know it isn't healthy for us, but we want to justify it somehow. It's genetic. I'm big boned. I wouldn't look good skinny. My great grandpa was heavy and he lived 90 years. Blah blah blah. We justify things even when we know better.

Every man is right in his own eyes. That doesn't mean we are right with God. There is no excuse for the way so many Christians abuse themselves on a daily basis, but they will never hear a rebuke because too many leaders don't want to offend the "big boned" folks.

[Sister Alvear]

I sure am overweight...Will you folksforgive me??? love you all...

Well, I do hear everyday...you need to lose weight...

I am not a big eater but I work to much in the office and travel...I need to walk more...

[missourimary]

Judging people by their size is not a good idea.

I'm not really overweight, but I am tending to find some pounds here and there... It isn't the burgers and fries that are getting me. It isn't what most people would consider gluttony either. Its the little candy dishes on the edges of everyone's desks at work that are the true culprits... and my ability to eat an enormous amount of chocolate without knowing it til I step on the scales a few days later. If they would charge me a quarter per piece, or if they'd fill those dishes with carrots instead, I'd be a lot better off.

At any rate, it isn't always a matter of being over or under weight, or of being gluttonous. It isn't even always self control, or those candy dishes. It's a matter of me knowing what's best for me, and you knowing what's best for you, and letting each other be what they are. We live in a world of airbrushed models, fad diets, fast foods, and sedentary jobs. We should maintain our bodies the best we can, but that maintenance should never be compared to the person sitting next to us, but just whether we maintain healthy lifestyles ourselves. What is included in a healthy lifestyle can and should be preached, whether that is teaching against cancer causing products, teaching people to get appropriate amounts of sleep, or teaching healthy diet and exercise. But we can never look at one another and judge whether they are "right" or "wrong" or whether we are "slim" or "fat." Comparing ourselves amongst ourselves isn't wise, after all.

[NotforSale]

Sorry if I keep pointing back to the Video, but the story proves one thing; Our Nation has increased in size and sickness. This really has nothing to do mine, or others excuses of why we might be overweight. Excuses don't solve the problem, they only take us further into denial.

The facts are the facts, and there is a problem, and our constant avoidance of recognizing it as such (a problem) will only take us deeper. And where I see this as gaining an out of control momentum is when children are allowed to consume enough food, creating a determinate to their future. Not only for them, but their children.

I see this as unfair and irresponsible. As Parents, we can make or break our kids in this area. If we allow them to become so big that they become diabetics, or have high blood pressure in their teen years, I don't see this as godly or humane. I get a little weary when people consider the honest truth an attack. If one will study the ploys of manipulation or psychological disorders that make the innocent look guilty, the common denominator is to make the truth bearer the “Bad Guy”. I realize our spirit must be in order when discussing sensitive issues that are directed at someone, but if the problem is real and obvious, we are responsible to admit that.

I drove a school bus for 2 years, and I picked up 3 and 4 year olds that could barely make it up the steps of the bus. These kids are destined for a life of heartache and a very poor living experience. And, when I see this in the Church, I'm baffled. We are supposed to be good examples of moderation and discipline, and this exemplifies the exact opposite.

Here is a commercial I saw last night on a DVD we watched. This is how we've approached the tobacco problem. To some, this may be very offensive. I remember when our State banned smoking from public places. Smokers became irate. But over the years, messages like these have produced the hard core facts about habits that are killing us because humans need "Shock Value". Just watch the faces of people as they observe these men singing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRHvZazd4IM

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

And where I see this as gaining an out of control momentum is when children are allowed to consume enough food, creating a determinate to their future. Not only for them, but their children.

I see this as unfair and irresponsible. As Parents, we can make or break our kids in this area. If we allow them to become so big that they become diabetics, or have high blood pressure in their teen years, I don't see this as godly or humane.

I completely agree.

I get a little weary when people consider the honest truth an attack.

People only feel attacked when their standing with God is called into question because they're overweight. When it is assumed they are sinning because they're overweight. Some are, some aren't. Many overweight people are trying to lose weight.

That's why we keep pointing out that God was specific about what the actual sin is. Stuffing ourselves. Currently being obese might be sin, it might not. And some gluttons are not currently overweight. It will probably catch up with them eventually, but it might take awhile. Gluttony is the sin.

I think most everyone is aware of the dangers of being overweight, and yes, many people need to take that much more seriously than they do.

Everyone needs to take care of their health. I have a very slim friend who lives on Pepsi and Snickers. That's just as unhealthy as being overweight.

NotforSale, I do appreciate your passion for the subject!

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

People only feel attacked when their standing with God is called into question because they're overweight. When it is assumed they are sinning because they're overweight. Some are, some aren't. Many overweight people are trying to lose weight.

That's why we keep pointing out that God was specific about what the actual sin is. Stuffing ourselves. Currently being obese might be sin, it might not. And some gluttons are not currently overweight. It will probably catch up with them eventually, but it might take awhile. Gluttony is the sin.

I think most everyone is aware of the dangers of being overweight, and yes, many people need to take that much more seriously than they do.

Everyone needs to take care of their health. I have a very slim friend who lives on Pepsi and Snickers. That's just as unhealthy as being overweight.

NotforSale, I do appreciate your passion for the subject!

It's funny you should mention about your friend who eats Snickers and Pepsi. We have a woman in our church who is currently ill with horrible stomach problems. She in not overweight and from a distance appears to be healthy. But, she is addicted to Pepsi. My wife has mentioned to her to consider the soda as the problem, but she goes on guzzelling this poison. She has been to the doctor on numerous occasions, recently had her spleen removed, and has a blood disorder.

She's been told to watch her diet by her doctor, and us, but the prayer line is about as far as it goes.

Thanks for the compliment about my passion. If you knew me in person, you would see that I do my best to be considerate of the feelings of other people. I don't always win the battle and have to pray through.

I guess I try to deal with fellow man like I dealt with my children in raising them. Try to guide them away from harm, rooting for them when they succeed, and praying for them when they don't. Over the years I've had many good friends give me advice that was worth more than money, and saved me loads of heartache. Good friends are priceless!

I'll be 50 this year, and without the help of others I would've made some very bad decisions in life.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Thanks for the compliment about my passion. If you knew me in person, you would see that I do my best to be considerate of the feelings of other people. I don't always win the battle and have to pray through.

I think you've always been considerate in these threads, too.