Do You Believe Gluttony Is a Sin? Or Has It Become The American Way, and No Big Deal?

I have to take exception with your claims that the "should we as American not be ashamed of the way we live in complete excess, me included, when the world is so screwed up. Alot of it at the hands of Americans(Middle East)." Having lived in the Middle East for the last 5 years let me tell you that they can and do screw themselves up just fine and, trust me, they have the money to get anything and everything that they want. When a family has 6 cars and 2 licensed drivers that may be a show of excess over here. They will hire a third world national (Indian, Pakistania, Sri Lankan, etc) to drive them around for about $150.00 a month. In a country where alcohol is illegal, everyone knows someone that can get them some and the cops have the best stuff. Jewelry and electronic stores run rampat over here. The women can run their own shops and several due but shopping and eating are the main activities. Last year women got the right to vote here in Kuwait and they took to it with a vengence. They had 37 women candidates on the rolls at the time of the election and a few actually won. Don't think that America is the only one that is living as you state. Elizabeth From Houtson, Working in Kuwait

Here's how I see it........Gluttony is listed as one of the seven DEADLY sins, meaning that eventually it will KILL you.......can we all agree on that? 

I think that's about the long and short of it!

Actually, I believe both ways. I am a staunch believer in the bible and what it teaches. As far as the American way - it has become that way with the "Super Size Society" that we have become, bigger is ALWAYS BETTER.  Have you ever seen the documentary, Super Size Me? That is what stopped the supersize me craze. It is pretty sick.  As Americans with the induction to Mickey D's since the 1960's we have gotten used to having fast food on a more regular basis. The dinner meal in the 60's was about 600 calories - small bag of frys, small burger and an 8 oz soda. Now, they have a dinner meal that is close to 1600 calories if not more at different places. That should be a person's whole calories for the day!!! Not only the above info on the amount of food that we have had available to us in most metro areas the fast food availablity is no more than 5 minutes away or drive from restaurant to restaurant. In my suburban Chgo area the fast food resturants are closer. In the city they are even closer, five minute walk. I can walk in my suburban area to McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Dunky Donuts, Krispy Creme, 7-11 for snacks, Coffee Joints, you name it. And this is not including the ads that bombard us on TV  talk about power of suggestion at the dinner hour. Do not get me started on the fact that kids sit in front of tv or video games instead of playing outside and burning off those calories . . . We as Americans are not the only culture that is becoming obese - these restaurants are infiltrating the whole world. In Europe I always knew that I could get a good cup of "Joe" by going to a Mickey D's. And I always knew that if I did not like the food on the tour I was on I could go there and get a "food fix". Fast food is all over the world, the Orient, Europe, Australia, Africa, Carribean, Canada, South America you name it. Anywhere the America culture has gone will be fast food if it is their own type of food. Many cultures have opened fast food rest. for their own people. Fast food noodles, sushi, vegitarian, vegan you name it. I am not saying that all these foods are bad, just the high fat versions of them.  It has become a sickness. We are drowning in junk food. And you know what it is also destroying an American tradition of sitting down with your family to talk over the daily events and enjoy a meal that someone in the family toiled over to fix and enjoy with everyone. Now a days so many families are so busy that it is just too easy to go through the drive thru and snatch a meal for this person or that person. There isn't any community anymore. Or one kid does not like anything but mac and cheese so mom goes and gets them fast food because s/he won't eat what mom has prepared. I will get off of my soap box now, thank you for reading. Christine ps gluttony is a sin and always will be.

Another book by the same author as "Fast Food Nation" that is a little updated (written for high school and middle school students, but I enjoyed it a lot) is "Chew on This." So let me ask ... has WLS changed the way you and your family eat? Charming

I know I'm being dense but I'm not getting your point. You have your whole long diatribe about gluttony being a sin - or not, then you close with: Let me put it to you another way ... have you ever stolen or lied in order to eat food that you did not need to survive? stealing does not equal gluttony. Unless you are implying that all gluttons are thieves. I'm not getting your point or your question. I think most of us on here don't steal and the only lies I tell are the little white lies like when  my secretary asks if I think she looks like she weighs as much as she really does. (truth: yes, answer: no - really?) I agree with whoever posted that your rant comes off a little arrogant. Maybe it wasn't intentional but that was how it struck me.  judi

Definitely a breakdown in logic. Gluttony = Sin Stealing = Gluttony Pardon? 

thanks Lola, glad I wasn't the only one not following!

HI Judi -- My overarching issue is, the ethics of overeating.  I'm sorry that you felt it was rather long to read.  I did not say that stealing = gluttony ... but I'll agree that the same drive to take what we do not need and what does not belong on us or within us or about us DRIVES the same process.  And I'm approaching more and more the idea that gluttony DOES mean stealing from the world that which we do not need to maintain ourselves.  I do so dearly regret what gluttony did to my body, my life, my family, and my community.  I am fully aware that others do not see it that way, and in fact revel in their overeating and overconsumption.  But that's not my point of view.

Oh, my, where o where to begin.  This gluttony concept goes a long way back.  I think Chaucer's The Parson's Tale was one of the earliest literary references.  Then, Dante sure did a dandy job on various sins.  Milton's Paradise Lost also did a fantastic take elaborating even more on the topic. Personally, I'd like to see "sin" reserved for some of the biggies like murder and child rape.   I am in the obesity as disease camp.  The ASBS certainly has found it so.  Hence, I find a certain "absolution" in that. Lying, or stealing, for food hasn't been in my repetoire, but I don't sit in the judgment seat about those who do.   As to the need for the "newest" "things", in today's life, often the newest products help us to survive in the global sense.  When an old computer of mine can no longer handle the newer and more efficient programs I might need, then it's time to go for a newer one. "Newest" often IS the best choice, especially when it comes to technology.  I'd sure hate like heck to return to those old surgical days when laudenum was the best one could hope for in the way of pain management.  Fashion is meant to be fun, not only practical.  If a teenager wants to "fit in" in the fashion sense, where's the harm in that?  What with so many discount stores, "trendiness" can be economical and hurts no one. As to your students' material possessions, poverty can be an ongoing condition.  Cell phones can save lives.  A once in awhile splurge doesn't have to take food from the table.  Amortized over the school year, I doubt the cost, including rebate, of a $50 cell phone, would pay for 9 months of free lunches.  MP3 players are fun.  Maybe these kids did odd jobs, maybe mom cut back where she could and saved up for a special birthday present.  Or, at the worst, maybe those kids are out dealing, but that's a whole other non sequitor story. So, in my book, gluttony should be reserved for literary fiction, and not confused with any behavior that could be calls for divine redemption.