Is bodily abuse sinful?

[LogoPad]

Hi, I’m curious…Is it sinful not to look after your physical body? Being over-weight, being under-weight, not taking exercise, not getting enough rest, poor diet, excesses (food, drink) etc, etc…? Any thoughts? Or factual church teachings to clarify? Thanks.

 

[AnneBOK]

Hi, I’m curious…Is it sinful not to look after your physical body? Being over-weight, being under-weight, not taking exercise, not getting enough rest, poor diet, excesses (food, drink) etc, etc…? Any thoughts? Or factual church teachings to clarify? Thanks.

I think it is a sin to not take care of yourself - ~when you are able~. The degree to which we take care of ourselves is really up to us. Many seem to take this “healthful living” to extremes and THAT becomes their “religion” We are all human (I think ) and are therefore subject to the weaknesses of the flesh so we must be careful of judgung others for how well they are or are not taking care of themselves. A major cause for not taking care of one’s self is depression. This is an invisible affliction (for the most part). I do not believe that ultimate judgement will in any way depend on how well we do or do not take care of ourselves, but we may have to answer for why we did not take better care - I know that I could take much better care of myself…

Anne

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi, I’m curious…Is it sinful not to look after your physical body? Being over-weight, being under-weight, not taking exercise, not getting enough rest, poor diet, excesses (food, drink) etc, etc…? Any thoughts? Or factual church teachings to clarify? Thanks.

it is not a sin to be over/underweight, out of shape, ill, etc. any more than it is a sin to be diabetic, arthritic, susceptible to boils, have high cholesterol, have homosexual orientation, like chocolate, etc.

There might possibly be sin for some or even most individuals in some cases, in some situations, if they have habits which cause actual harm to the body, habits which might contribute to or aggravate such conditions listed in OP.

In general the 5th commandment requires that we take due care of our health. if that becomes an obsession which takes away from the duty we owe God and neighbor, even health consciousness could be sinful.

If this grows into another thread attacking us fatties as sinners that will be the last straw, I will be outta here fer shur. When the Holy Spirit gives you access to my heart and to my medical record so that you have divinely inspired knowledge on how I got to be fat/arthritic/glucose intolerant/hypertensive etc. then you may pronounce upon my sinfulness and general state of my soul. Until then kindly keep such speculations to yourself.

 

[BlestOne]

I think we have to remember it is a sin to judge others, that being said; There are many reasons beyond a persons control to be afflicted with weight or health problems. Is it a sin that I have a bad back? I don’t think so, but because of it I have gained a few pounds and I am out of shape. I wish it was otherwise but I am not in control.

If you are asking about gluttony…it is one of the seven deadly sins. Or if you are talking about vanity (causing underweight, or other problems) I would say so too. What we have to remember is that there are almost always extenuating circumstances. Depression can make one eat or starve themselves, so can alot of other problems. How about mental disorders like BDD?

I agree with the other poster that some have taken this to extremes, worshipping their own bodies. This would obviously be taking the focus away from rightful worship of God and that would be wrong.

Since we cannot know the hearts of others, we cannot determine their circumstances or judge them for it.

 

[MichiganTrumbul]

Hi, I’m curious…Is it sinful not to look after your physical body? Being over-weight, being under-weight, not taking exercise, not getting enough rest, poor diet, excesses (food, drink) etc, etc…? Any thoughts? Or factual church teachings to clarify? Thanks.

There is really only one answer to your question, and it is the same answer for any other potentially sinful act - it all depends on the culpability of the individual.

Yes, that is a vague answer, but we cannot go any more particular than that. Whereas it is true that we cannot judge the souls of individual persons, we can still judge, and the search for truth demands that we judge on a general basis. For example, we cannot say that John Doe is in hell, but we can say that unrepentant sinners are in hell.

In sum, the sinfulness of all of the things you mentioned would depend on the individual’s part in facilitating it; the more the individual is responsible, the greater the sin.

MT