Take the hypothetical situation of a child at the dinner table with his parents. The child takes a portion of potroast and modest amounts of carrots and peas, which he doesn't like. His mother, seeing the shortage of veggies, promptly adds another spoonful or two to his plate. Begrudgingly, he begins to eat them. Partway through, he becomes very full. He tells his parents, but they say he has to finish everything on his plate because X is starving in Y (I never got that one). He forces the rest of the food down his throat and leaves the table.
Is this involuntary gluttony? Does it carry a lesser penalty, like a B Deadly Sin? Should his parents be charged in his place or as accessories, or should it just be the mother who scooped the extra food onto his plate?
2006-08-25 17:17:29 · 16 answers · asked by Phil 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
whoa - slow down there
First off, it's simply poor parenting to force a child to eat anything because X is starving in Y.
I would not agree that it is involuntary gluttony however the child may grow to resent that kind of control (which can be a dangerous situation to be in - emotionally speaking)
Speaking of sin, however - the sin here is forcible "guilt" ie attempting to guilt the child into eating.
This parent should stop this behaviour immediately, ask the child to forgive him/her and research more creative ways of getting the child to choose a more balanced diet (although potroast and veggies seems like a good choice to me..... mmmmm)
2006-08-25 17:25:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The situation you describe isn't gluttony. I don't think children can dogmatically commit "deadly" sins anyway because they aren't morally (or legally) responsible for their actions. The kid did break a commandment, though, in leaving the table without his parents' permission (that "honor thy father and mother" thing), or leaving before his parents.
The whole thing is stupid, if you ask me. I was constantly told to eat everything on my plate because children were starving in Africa. Maybe priests have a list in their heads for when people go to confession--what to give out as punishment for which type of sin. It's crazy.
2006-08-26 00:27:49 · answer #2 · answered by Banba 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Sin of Gluttony isn't about eating a lot, it's about having a desire to eat a lot. Just like the root of all evil isn't money, but the love of money. If you were held at gunpoint and compelled to fornicate with a thousand concubines, it would only be a sin if you enjoyed it.
So no, the kid hasn't sinned unless the reason he wasn't hungry is because he'd just eaten 3 lbs of marshmallows before dinner.
2006-08-26 00:48:35 · answer #3 · answered by abram.kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you might have too much time on your hands...
Well, I think that for something to be consided sin on your part you must be aware of the fact that it is sin, and choose to do it. If you honestly don't know something is a sin, I don't think that it would be accounted as one. But remember, we're thinking beings, and usually we can figure if something's right or wrong. The most basic and important stuff.
That's why killing in self defense is ok. You might know that killing someone is wrong, but you still must do it to stay alive.
Of course, if you have a gun, are an expert in martial arts, are sober, and a small child comes with a table knife and say 'I'm going to kill you for stealing my mom's savings' and you kill him, you're doing sin.
2006-08-26 00:28:27 · answer #4 · answered by Roberto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A child who refuses food in my mind will not get anything else to eat until the next appointed meantime (exept fresh fruit) - I dont do snacks unless they can eat all they're food. But please remember that sometimes just like us adults, kids sometimes just arent that hungry....
Back to your question, yup i got the 'kids in Africa are starving' but I was too clever for my parents and asked them to donate my food to them if they are so hungry, got a clip round the ear and a bolloc*ing. Still didnt eat my food - forced gluttony without a doubt!
2006-08-26 00:27:26 · answer #5 · answered by A_Geologist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Parents are not perfect, as humans, so they do what they think is best for the child. Yes, they sometimes over do some things. More serious is the parent who teaches intolerance through action or inaction. Hate through speech or nodding. Disrespect for our planet by waste. And so on...
2006-08-26 00:25:45 · answer #6 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you force someone to do something that is against their beliefs, you must pay their perceived penalty for that action. It's in the New Testament. I'll tell you that much. The mother would have to pay the penalty if the child believed it to be a sin. I believe that God understands a mother's concern for her children, however.
Love, Hope, & Peace,
Cal-el & Swissy
2006-08-26 00:25:36 · answer #7 · answered by Prodigal Son 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. He does not know that gluttony is a sin (child)
2. He is a child, and children have a backstage pass to heaven
3. Yes, his parents are guilty of forcing their child to sin, because they both know that gluttony is a sin.
2006-08-26 00:24:32 · answer #8 · answered by Marco 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dude, have you any idea what is going on in the world today? Or is this your way of not thinking about it?? I think the kid should tell the mother to go ahead and take his plate of veggies and send it to the starving kids.
2006-08-26 00:28:38 · answer #9 · answered by Peanut 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to the Bible, yes, that is gluttony. Both go to Hell. The child for sinning and the parent for making them sin.
2006-08-26 00:28:05 · answer #10 · answered by SonicGT 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋