Is obesity a sin?

Question

From 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: 16"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."

By this scripture...isn't gluttony a sin? smoking? not exercising?


Are people who are unhealthy because of inactivity going to be destroyed by God as this verse states?

Answer 1

I don't get too wrapped up in defining sins as they relate to pleasures of the flesh.

But, I do feel there is wisdom in the idea of "moderation."

Moderation in all things.

I love good wine or beer, but you can only consume so much at one time, and then you either feel full, get sleepy or sick.

I love good food, but there is no point in just stuffing ones self.

Answer 2

Obesity is not a sin but gluttony is. There are 7 deadly sins and gluttony is one of them. You can be a glutton and still not be overweight. On the other hand there are people who do not eat very much and still are overweight even obese. Two prime factors are genetics and metabolism. Genetics you cannot change but to a degree you can change your metabolism.An example would be a case in which a person who is obese not eating enough! Some nutritionist agree that every 3 hours your body goes into "starvation mode" and stores fat for the "famine" that will hopefully never come. It is essential to keep a food journal so you can keep track of what you eat and to eat something (healthy, of course like a fruit, yogurt, vegetables,etc.) every 3 hours. Being active is really a necessity even if you just walk. Some people like my husband seem to be incapable of loosing weight. He weighs over 300 pounds and eats less that my 76 pound mother who eats like a horse.. In fact, if my mother gains a pound or two she will get diarrhea! Going back to my husband who doesn't eat enough,he refuses to keep a food journal but his blood work is good (cholesterol, trigycerides,HDL's LDL's etc.) So the bottom line is you can be overweight and be healthy,not all obese people are gluttons (in fact I really think few are gluttons) and gluttony is a sin even if you are not overweight.

Answer 3

While I would agree that gluttony is a wrong committed upon oneself and indicates a spiritual weakness, I would not call it a sin.

The karmic retribution for gluttony, if any, is received upon this earth. Even if I believed a God existed, which I don't, I would consider it ludicrous for God to punish a person for the "sin" of gluttony when they had already experienced proportionate suffering for their wrong on earth.

That would be like double jeopardy, and I find the concept of being punished twice for the same wrong offensive.

Answer 4

It amazes me how many people preach so self righteously about gluttony and self control, when they have proven that a big proportion of fat people's brains do not produce a sufficient amount of the chemical that dampens apatite. Also many people gain weight easier than others on the same calories even when they exorcise. It's like feeling morally Superior for not being an alcoholic, when you've never had a desire to drink.

Answer 5

Obesity isn't a sin because there's no such thing. I would say it is folly though as I believe it causes suffering and discomfort to the person involved. St Paul had problems. No doubt about that.

Answer 6

Obesity causes health problems... however it's far more virtuous behavior to educate where you can with COMPASSION, not judgemental behavior... y'know some people can't exercise due to health problems and some people have underlying psychological issues that makes it difficult to trim back caloric intake when in this situation, or just in regular daily life. Be like Jesus... don't judge.

_()_

Answer 7

Obesity is a symptom. Gluttony is a sin. If the obesity is a result of gluttony, then you have sinned..... often and for a long time.

Answer 8

Everything is a sin. Your supposed to do whatever it takes to make yourself a better person. Anytime your not trying to improve and get "perfect" you are sinning.

Your also not supposed to judge, so unless you are obese you shouldn't be worried about. It's a sin to worry about other peoples sins, just focus on your own and what you can do to help those around you.

Answer 9

well i think physical appetites are an analogy of our ability to control ourselves. If we are unable to control our eating habits we are probably also unable to control other habits such as those of the mind (lust, covetousness, unrighteous hatred/anger) ..We are not to let our appetites are control us rather than us controlling them. See Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:2, 2 Peter 1:5-7

Proverbs 23:20-21 warns us, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags."

Answer 10

Considering some people are obese because of genes, it seems that for some, it wouldn't be. But then, why would God allow people to be born with these genes?