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Junebug999
Guest
So, I was reading the thread about masturbation being a sin, etc…is being obese a sin? What kind of sin? hmmmmmmmmmm this is interesting (I’m new to the Church and learning).
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EphelDuath
Guest
Obesity is a state of being. Gluttony is a sin, though.
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rpp
Guest
Obesity in an of itself is probably not a sin. After all, there are many causes for obesity which may not be in the direct control of the person.
On the other hand, gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins. That is gluttony is a grave sin. So if you overeat, and realize you should not, but do it anyway, you have met the criteria for mortal sin.
On the other hand, those with physical problems or medical conditions which cause them to gain weight may not be culpable of the grave sin of gluttony.
On the other hand, gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins. That is gluttony is a grave sin. So if you overeat, and realize you should not, but do it anyway, you have met the criteria for mortal sin.
On the other hand, those with physical problems or medical conditions which cause them to gain weight may not be culpable of the grave sin of gluttony.
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JRKH
Guest
Others have touched on the obvious issues of cause (Gluttony) versus effect (obesity).
I would just like to point out that the overeating may not be sinfull either. In order for the overeating to be sinful it would have to be gluttony.
Gluttony defined as:
Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or intoxicants to the point of waste. In some Christian denominations, it is considered one of the seven deadly sins—a misplaced desire of food or its withholding from the needy. (wikipedia)
There are cases where overeating is due to emotional issues such as low self esteem etc. In these cases the overeating is symptomatic of deeper issues. Therefore one should carefully examine ones conscience as to why one overeats. What sin is involved may depend on what that underlying issue is and what one does about it.
That having been said, there is also the issue of not properly taking care of your body. The body the Lord has provided to us for the purpose of doing His work through us.
Peace
James
I would just like to point out that the overeating may not be sinfull either. In order for the overeating to be sinful it would have to be gluttony.
Gluttony defined as:
Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or intoxicants to the point of waste. In some Christian denominations, it is considered one of the seven deadly sins—a misplaced desire of food or its withholding from the needy. (wikipedia)
There are cases where overeating is due to emotional issues such as low self esteem etc. In these cases the overeating is symptomatic of deeper issues. Therefore one should carefully examine ones conscience as to why one overeats. What sin is involved may depend on what that underlying issue is and what one does about it.
That having been said, there is also the issue of not properly taking care of your body. The body the Lord has provided to us for the purpose of doing His work through us.
Peace
James
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AngelRose81
Guest
Obesity is not a sin. There are other causes of obesity than just gluttony, too.
Gluttony, however is a sin, but remember gluttony doesn’t JUST apply to food. It can apply to material things, greed, and other things.
Gluttony, however is a sin, but remember gluttony doesn’t JUST apply to food. It can apply to material things, greed, and other things.
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rpp
Guest
It is incorrect to use a dictionary definition in a theological context.
Gluttony is eating too much. The manner in which a person eats has little or nothing to do with whether they eat too much. A starving man may gulp food, but because he is starving, are you going to claim that he is committing a sin? Of course he is not.
Like most sins, what causes us to commit a sin may reduce our culpability to a degree, it would be inaccurate to claim that willful over-eating, whether because we want to or due to emotional distress, is not sinful.
Finally, it does not matter what some Christian denominations say as to whether gluttony is a sin. After all, some “Christian” say that abortion is permissible as well. The Catholic Church describes gluttony as one of the capital sins. Other say that sodomy is a pretty good thing too.
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leonie
Guest
oh what a timely thread. I just read a book that suggested that obesity is not necessarily because of gluttony. We may have set points that are the result of biochemistry at different points in our development.
It was a fascinating read. It had a lot of research to back up the premise. What really hit me is that we may have a lot of cultural suppositions that make us associate being overweight with negative character qualities when it may be primarily a biological trait.
rethinkingthin.com/
It was a fascinating read. It had a lot of research to back up the premise. What really hit me is that we may have a lot of cultural suppositions that make us associate being overweight with negative character qualities when it may be primarily a biological trait.
rethinkingthin.com/
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graceandglory
Guest
That might cause someone have a tendency to over-eat, but everybody still has a free will to over eat or not. When you eat more calories than you use in a day that is over-eating.
There are people who are prone to lust and sexual sins. That doesn’t mean they are off the hook as far as sin is concerned.
They have free will too. Fornication is a sin. Acquiring a sexually transmitted disease would be a result of that sin.
Temperance as a virtue seems to be forgotten these days, as people want to be sensitive to the overweight.
Anyone can say, “It’s because of my genetics.” We all wish we could find scientific proof that makes our sin okay.
While genetics might make you prone to over-eating,
God has still given you a free will to over-eat until you are full, or to eat just enough to satisfy your hunger. Consuming more than you need in order to live at your proper weight, and thus making yourself overweight, is gluttonous.
The sin would be in the behavior of overeating. Being obese is the result of the sin.
I’m sure my opinion isn’t politically correct, but I do think it is in line with Catholic teaching and living a virtuous life.
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puzzleannie
Guest
is being thin a sin? after all, some thin people are anorexic and don’t eat enough food, or bulemic and throw up their food, so would I be out of line to assume, based on their physical appearance, that they are sinners? Yes? then what do you think of question in OP?
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rpp
Guest
Yes, such people who are obsessed with their weight and deny themselves sufficient nutrition do sin as well. It is both a form of vanity as well intemperance.
While some will correctly point out the bulimia and anorexia are eating disorders, they, like alcoholism, have their origin in free will. A person who may have alcoholic tendencies cannot be considered an alcoholic if they never drink or never drink to excess. This is no different for someone with a eating disorder.
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puzzleannie
Guest
I did not ask if having an eating disorder was a sin, or having a problem with use of food, I asked if being thin was a sin. No it is not, and yes it is an offense against Christian charity to assume that a sin person has sinned in some way. Just as it is a sin against Christian charity to assume that a fat person has sinned in some way.
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rpp
Guest
Sorry, I presumed were asking about people with eating disorders.
For my part, I do not use a person’s weight to determine if they are a sinner. The criteria I generally use is to ask myself a simple question, “Is the person the Blessed Virgin Mary or Jesus?” If the answer is no, then they are a sinner.
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AngelRose81
Guest
FYI-
an eating disorder is a lot of times a symptom of a deeper problem, such as mental illness or family troubles.
Eating disorders such as anorexia are often times about control and the person feeling like food is the only thing that they can control in their life. And I’ve even seen anorexics who weren’t thin but normal sized…sometimes its their mentality. Very complex diseases, eating disorders are.
an eating disorder is a lot of times a symptom of a deeper problem, such as mental illness or family troubles.
Eating disorders such as anorexia are often times about control and the person feeling like food is the only thing that they can control in their life. And I’ve even seen anorexics who weren’t thin but normal sized…sometimes its their mentality. Very complex diseases, eating disorders are.
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whatevergirl
Guest
Like others have said–obesity could have many underlying reasons leading up to it. I would say–that if we abuse our bodies in any way, we are sinning. That includes gluttony, starving ourselves, never exercising if we’re capable, abusing prescription drugs, taking illegal drugs, drinking alcohol excessively, etc…that’s how I look at it all. However–people can become addicted to certain behaviors and need medical help to free themselves of such addictions. I don’t know at what point something is looked at as sinful, and when it crosses over into being something out of his/her control–like say alcoholism?
Maybe a topic for another thread.
Our bodies are to be temples for God–as He created them to be. We have a duty actually to take care of ourselves, to the best of our control.
Maybe a topic for another thread.Our bodies are to be temples for God–as He created them to be. We have a duty actually to take care of ourselves, to the best of our control.
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graceandglory
Guest
It’s the same argument for alcoholism and sexual addictions.
The truth of the matter is though, that God gave us free will to use according to His perfect will or not. Too many people want to live with the excuse rather than make their bodies and their appetites submissive to the will.
Gluttony is a sin against temperance. All people who slip into these kinds of sins have issues with temperance.
I have also heard (not read it from a reputable source) that people who sin against temperance in one area (ie: food) also are gluttonous in other areas as well (sex, alcohol, etc…)
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goofyjim
Guest
Obesity is not a sin. And how can we call anorexia a sin? It is a psychiatric disorder and therefore does not qualify.
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SeekerJen
Guest
It must be nice to be so perfect. I hope you never have to struggle with an eating disorder or other addiction.
And no, obesity is not a sin. Not taking care of one’s physical health to the best of one’s ability probably is, but one’s weight is not a reliable indication of whether that person is taking care of himself or herself. Some “obese” (classified as such by the completely unreliable and apparently arbitrary BMI- don’t forget, it was readjusted several years ago so that people who were not formerly classified as “overweight” or “obese” are now classified as such) people eat better and take more exercise than some thin people. Take that active obese person and the inactive thin person to the doctor, have the same tests run, and I’ll bet that the obese person (barring things like familial hypertension/hypercholesteremia) will score better on most, if not all tests.
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leonie
Guest
read the book I cited. I checked it out from my library.
Gluttony is a sin, but you can’t assume that someone who is overweight is gluttonous.
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turtle18
Guest
Gluttony can be committed by thin people, too. I know–I’ve seen it. If you are fat, chances are you may have committed gluttony, but if you are thin, chances are you may also have committed gluttony. I’ve seen someone who is rail thin eat two pizzas. Not two pieces but two full pizzas! Plus, I know a lot of people who are obsessed with exercise not because of the health benefits, but it is just so they can eat as much as they want to.
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mommyof4
Guest
good point
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