Gluttony

[BrooklynBoy200]

What exactly is Gluttony? I know it’s like eating food you don’t need, but can someone give me an example of gluttony in someones everyday life? Is it like eating a bowl of ice cream for no reason?

 

[Mom_of_5]

Gluttony is eating considerably more than needed for good nutrition. For example, eating until one feels “full”, then continue eating until that person can become or feel ill. Have you ever been to a “smorgy board” and seen people pile food on plates, and do that several times before putting the fork down?? It is possible there may be a bit of gluttony going on there, but we can’t “judge”, maybe these people are truly that hungry.

Love and peace,
Mom of 5

 

[BrooklynBoy200]

So it’s not gluttony to eat some junk food instead of healthy food?

 

[Damascus]

Gluttony is an excess. A bad diet is not using prudence.

kinda different BB.

 

[Onesimus]

The best explaination I’ve ever seen of “gluttony” comes from C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters.”

This sin is far more than eating too much. In the story, Lewis demonstrates the gluttony of one of the characters by the miniscule portions she invariably insists on.

Read the book. It’s a goldmine of insight into virtue and vice.

 

[petra]

So it’s not gluttony to eat some junk food instead of healthy food?

I would say that it depends. If you haven’t overindulged with the main courses at dinner and “have room” for dessert, that is not gluttony. If you’re on a road trip and start to get a little hungry and sleepy and you stop at a mini-mart for a coffee and junk food snack, that is not gluttony. Something high in sugar and fat may not be the smartest choice, but by definition, you are not overindulging. If you have existing health conditions, like diabetes or obesity, and you have full awareness that eating the wrong foods could pose short term risks to your health or life, then poor food choices good be potentially be sinful—though not specifically the sin of gluttony.

Gluttony is referred to as a capital sin, which are sins that open the door to more serious and potentially mortal sins and vices.

 

[BrooklynBoy200]

My parents are taking me to a hotel famous for it’s huge buffets this weekend. I know i’m going to be gluttonous during it. Is it bad to be gluttonous during vacation? It probably is but i’ll ask anyway. I got a real trial of faith ahead of me then.

 

[BLB_Oregon]

The best explaination I’ve ever seen of “gluttony” comes from C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters.”

This sin is far more than eating too much. In the story, Lewis demonstrates the gluttony of one of the characters by the miniscule portions she invariably insists on.

Read the book. It’s a goldmine of insight into virtue and vice.

I’d second that. His basic idea was if the person let their belly rule their virtues, if the pursuit of food became an excuse to put oneself before others, whether on account of amount or on account of quality, that person is gluttonous.