Gluttony as a sin

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ewohdrol

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We know that gluttony is considered one of the deadly sins.

Why is this never discussed or focused on in church or this site? Seems there are many threads on lust, greed, pride and occassionally envy. However gluttony is never mentioned.

Considering the obesity epidemic statistics it would suggest gluttony is problematic and even rife in society.

So why is this considered not as intrinsically ‘bad’. Why is this never discussed? Thoughts?
 
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This is a wise topic. Might be more assessable in Apologetics regarding sin.
 
Because gluttony is the more obvious sin.

I think you 'd have a tough time drawing a conclusion between gluttony and obesity. It is to assume that one is the cause of the other. Assumptions like that are hard to gain support for.
 
Gluttony isn’t just about overeating, but the disordered appetite for consumption of pleasurable things, which includes drugs and alcohol. Gluttony is a terrible problem in many people’s lives and why we have the 12 Step program today.
 
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ewohdrol said:
So why is this considered not as intrinsically ‘bad’. Why is this never discussed? Thoughts?
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I tend to think it is not more often discussed because people don’t think of themselves as gluttons, even if they are. With how unhealthily, and rich (as in quality of food) people, even the poor, tend to eat, it is one of the most major sins today. It goes hand-in-hand with all the lust in the world going on.
 
Neithan said:
Gluttony isn’t just about overeating, but the disordered appetite for consumption of pleasurable things, which includes drugs and alcohol
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I agree totally.

I just notice that in catholic/christian circles people mention it like its a cheeky or less problematic sin. It seems over indulging in alcohol, food or shopping is a quirky vice that noone really minds admitting to (within reason of course).

However no one is walking around admitting they struggle with lust for example. Yet they are both deadly sins. Why is one so much nore acceptable than the other?
 
Hard to gain support for because it is awkward to admit or because it is not true?

There is strong correlation between increased availability of food and the increase of obesity. While of course there are other factors at play, to imply gluttony and obesity don’t necessarily relate is disingenuous.
 
Modern Catholic Dictionary:

GLUTTONY. Inordinate desire for the pleasure connected with food or drink. This desire may become sinful in various ways: by eating or drinking far more than a person needs to maintain bodily strength; by glutting one’s taste for certain kinds of food with known detriment to health; by indulging the appetite for exquisite food or drink, especially when these are beyond one’s ability to afford a luxurious diet; by eating or drinking too avidly, i.e., ravenously; by consuming alcoholic beverages to the point of losing full control of one’s reasoning powers. Intoxication that ends in complete loss of reason is a mortal sin if brought on without justification, e.g., for medical reasons. (Etym. Latin glutire , to devour.)
 
I have no issue with alcohol or drugs, but I am an emotional eater.

Earlier this year, I was going to the gym and swimming several times a week and lost 15 pounds. Then my son and daughter–in-law separated and the stress of
that event was stressful and not only was I dealing with stress, but also depression with worry about my son and grandkids.

However, after going to the doctor last week, I have committed to watching my
diet when the new year begins.
 
Well, finding a correlation b/w DNA sequences which are responsible for obesity traits and availability of food may be tough.
 
Often they relate (gluttony and obesity), but not necessarily. And, for this comment, I am simplifying gluttony to mean “eating too much.” When I was in my prime, I could eat anything I wanted without gaining more than a couple of pounds. Now, a good many years later, I eat far less but gain weight easily.

As I understand it, a tendency towards obesity is inherited. Multiple genes can predispose people to the problem of gaining too much weight.

Of course a bad diet doesn’t help.
 
Lack of exercise isn’t always a reason for obesity. I know a fella over 300 pounds and less than 6’ tall who physically labors at least 40hrs / week. His diet appears well rounded.
 
I would say because it does not seem to cause the same level of scandal in society as the other sins.

However, it is shocking to see that while developed countries have an obesity issue (as well as food waste), Africa (among other countries) is literally dying of starvation. Not to mention eating too much is the main cause of diabetes and many other terrible preventable diseases.
 
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We are seeing the attitude mentioned in the OP on this thread. Genes, different metabolism and phenotypic expression have already been used as an argument rather than admit the largest reason for obesity in the western world is an over consumption of food. In other words gluttony. It is rare to see obese people in the third world.

Why is this not seen as problematic as the other deadly sins.
 
And, we mustn’t always assume that an obese person is a glutton. Some people have other medical problems that cause them to be overweight. It may have nothing to do with overeating.

I think sloth is just as deadly, by the way.
 
Good topic, and that first response under it clearly shows that people don’t take the sin as seriously as others.

I understand gluttony isn’t just overeating, but as far as overeating goes, I actually had this theory, that the reason people get fat, is that it is like a physical way of showing others your sin. It’s like a sin you cannot hide and being fat is the punishment for it. This person is obese, because he indulges in gluttony.

Just a theory of course and there are cases of obesity caused by illness, and of course some people are more prone to be big because of their genes. Then there are also others who eat a lot but don’t seem to put on weight, so that might well be where my theory falls apart.
 
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