Why are so many Christians overweight?

Question

This is not a bash on people that are overweight, nor is it a ping on "gluttony". I have been told several times on here, that God doesn't approve of using drugs because they contribute to the destruction of a person's body ("Drugs" includes weak drugs like marijuana, nicotine, and alcohol).

With that reasoning, wouldn't things like saturated fat and not exercising also p|ss God off, because they are the destruction of a person's body (a temple in God's image)? I was recently watching the documentary Jesus Camp (SCARY!!). The woman who ran the camp was very overweight (by any standards), yet she was telling people how they should honor God. I kept thinking, "lose some weight before you destroy your temple with a heartattack!!"

Am I wrong in this reasoning?

Actually, I am Christian. I've gone to church my whole life. Yes, I like to smoke the weed...I believe it is a gift from God to make life better.

Answer 1

Christians, with regard to weight, are most likely representative of the general population.

Yes, you're wrong in attempting to mandate a standard for OTHERS (since your obviously biased "question" strongly implies that you are not Christian).

Answer 2

Uh, hon, why pick on Christians. The current status quo is that at least 1 in every 3 people is overweight. It's a problem that is spreading to even places of uber-thinness like China. As a whole, we are eating more and eating what isn't healthy. That isn't a religion thing, that is a world problem.

Answer 3

I think in part because Christians are not "it's all about me" people. Part of getting to the gym and trying so hard to look good is time consuming in this ever so busy life. It's a luxury that people can do when they have time. Christians spend their spare time worshipping and learning more about the bible so they can be prepared and because they love God/Jesus more than themselves. But overweight and gluttony or seriously obese are health issues that should be addressed by anyone. Fat doesn't only reside in the Christian.

Answer 4

I think it's Americans are the fattest in the world. Fast food nation.

But your right that as a Christian you should show respect for your body and take care of yourself. Not be a glutton. Of course, you don't want to go the other way and be obsessive with your looks and spend all your time trying to loss weight (not eating).

Not everyone can help their weight, some of it is due to sickness or hereditary. Skinny people have heart attacks too!!!

I always try to look beyond how a person looks and get to know their personality. Usually, the chubby ones are the nicest!

Answer 5

You are not wrong at all, just a little addition to your sentence:
Why are so many Christians overweight? Perhaps you can say: "Why are so many so called Christians overweight?" A real Christians will obeserve this saying: "16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." (1 Corinthians 3:16,17)
"31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

So a real Christian will do his best to live in such a way that he or she can fulfill the above command.

Those who like to live a better and happier life should try to have a NEW START in life by making sure you have :

[N]utrition- eat only nourishing and healthful food and drinks.
[E]xercise- proper and adequate exercise.
[W]ater- enough pure and clean water
[S]unshine- sufficient early morning and late sunshine
[T]emperance- eat just enough of the good ones
[A]ir- fresh air as much as you can get
[R]est- enough to recuperate not overdoing it
[T]rust in God- He knows what is best for us, better than any earthly doctor, and cares more than any earthly parent.

Answer 6

My husband's family used to belong to a church that had a very large pastor, and it was hilarious to see him preach against gluttony!

It's very difficult to believe people when they are hypocrites, and I think your reasoning is correct. However, a lot of Christian pick and choose what to focus on in their religion. They only focus in on selected passages from the OT/HB especially to support their criticisms of others. It's too bad.

You could probably also take into account that many people in the USA are Christian, and Americans have problems with obesity because of our lifestyles. There may be correlation, but not causation.

Answer 7

Haven't you noticed?
Obesity in America is affecting EVERYBODY...even our little kids!
Christians may be carrying a bit more weight than most though...it's those big ol' planks they keep in their eyes.....

I ought to tell you, I am a Christian, and I know I'm not perfect...carryng a bit of extra baggage too, but you can mark that down to the fact that I go to a Baptist church...them Baptists do love to eat!

Answer 8

That is hypocritical. Destroying your body for pleasure is wrong. And it doesn't matter whether that pleasure is drugs or food. Both can become addictive problems and the people who harp on drugs need to do a little self-examination.

Answer 9

eat 5 6 small meals a day instead of 3

Answer 10

yes, some people are over weight & yes God says we should treat our body as a temple, but some people lack the will power to watch what they eat & besides no one is perfect & if they ask they shall be forgiven of their sins, perhaps they should pray & ask for God to help them overcome their eating problem.

Just my way of thinking to each their own & take care