Chewing gum

[LemonAndLime]

This thread is still going?

 

[tvdxer]

From the Summa: "And just as the use of food is directed to the preservation of life in the individual, so is the use of venereal acts directed to the preservation of the whole human race. Hence Augustine says (De Bono Conjug. xvi): “What food is to a man’s well being, such is sexual intercourse to the welfare of the whole human race.” Wherefore just as the use of food can be without sin, if it be taken in due manner and order, as required for the welfare of the body, so also the use of venereal acts can be without sin, provided they be performed in due manner and order, in keeping with the end of human procreation. "

So how come chewing gum is not a sin? Silly question, but its the one question my husband and I have not found an answer for. It just seems the question gets dismissed as silly.

There are other reasons than “mere pleasure of the experience” for chewing gum.

Some chew it to relieve stress.

Some chew it to combat tobacco addiction.

Some chew it to freshen their breath.

What we put into our body (or mouth) does NOT need to be for our nutrition, although that is the usual case. Substances (gum, medicine, etc.) can serve a variety of other purposes that go beyond “mere pleasure”.

I would stop scrupling and start living.

 

[McatholicN]

Gum chewing can be reasonable and without any sin (can be without any gluttony).

It can be for the purpose of “recreation” (which is important for our life…can even be fore your breath --a good social thing) etc etc and can also assist in other aspects of life.

Individual acts of overeating…intemperance (gluttony in this sense) are “ordinarily” a “venial matter” for venial sin…

(though it can be grave such as when one is getting drunk where one looses ones reason is mortal for example (or if it leads to other mortal sins)…or uncorrected habits of eating in a way that will “seriously harm ones health or life” --at least in the “short term” that is…)

As Paul noted everything created by God is good, and is not to be rejected but received with thanksgiving ( see 1 Tim 4:3)…but we are to live in “moderation”…

We need to seek to grow in the virtue of temperance…

Catechism:

1809 Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: "Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart."72 Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites."73 In the New Testament it is called “moderation” or “sobriety.” We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world."74

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#I

But how do we view this in light of the Saints who have said that eating solely for pleasure is a sin, or even choosing a tastier food over a less tasty one? That would basically rule out candy, ice cream, etc. I do a lot of snacking - certainly not for nourishment. Is this sinful?

 

[Bookcat]

But how do we view this in light of the Saints who have said that eating solely for pleasure is a sin, or even choosing a tastier food over a less tasty one? That would basically rule out candy, ice cream, etc. I do a lot of snacking - certainly not for nourishment. Is this sinful?

Saints can have their opinions --and even be wrong. One would have to also verify what was said and in what context… Some things are said in the context of a particular asceticism other things may be cultural influenced. Saints can get things wrong. We are to look over what a Saint may have said to the Teachings of the Church (and they would tell you to do just that!).

The Church does not teach that it is sinful to choose say the tastier food. Or sinful to eat ice cream etc.

By the way one need not be eating solely for pleasure --just cause one say has a candy bar in a moment of relaxation…

 

[McatholicN]

By the way one need not be eating solely for pleasure --just cause one say has a candy bar in a moment of relaxation…

But would eating solely for pleasure be sinful? Sure, there’s times when I come home from somewhere exhausted and down a can of pop in relaxation, but a lot of the time it’s “those cookies on the counter sure do look tasty right now”.