| Author | Post |
|---|
brian
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 849 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 01:36 pm |
|
I have some idea that glutony is about taking in much more than necessary. Is it limited to food. But I think foods is the most common idea behind it? But how would one know if one was being gluttonous? Is eating too fast gluttony? I think it is listed as one of the 7 deadly sins. Does this make it a grave sin when it is committed. And if so how does one know one committed it and whether it was a grave or mortal sin? What are the best ways to avoid it? I would think temperance and moderation would bea good place to start. Maybe a well planned diet and trying to habitually stop eating before you are completely full.
But how do I know when I eat fast or hastily when I am simply acting out of weakness or when I am actually sinning. Since over-eating may be one thing for one person and another thing for someone else, how do you know when you have over-eaten? What about occasions like Thanksgiving where tradtitionally you are encouraged to eat a lot in celebration with family? etc.
Brian
|
|
|
BodRod
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 824 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 02:36 pm |
|
Anybody who eats more then I do, of my favorite dish, at home or at the party is gluttonous! 
____________________
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5453 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 02:54 pm |
|
Gluttony is the willful overindulgence of something, especially food and drink. It is much more than overeating.
New Advent includes the following in the Catholic Encyclopedia listing on Gluttony:
Clearly one who uses food or drink in such a way as to injure his health or impair the mental equipment needed for the discharge of his duties, is guilty of the sin of gluttony. It is incontrovertible that to eat or drink for the mere pleasure of the experience, and for that exclusively, is likewise to commit the sin of gluttony. Such a temper of soul is equivalently the direct and positive shutting out of that reference to our last end which must be found, at least implicitly, in all our actions. At the same time it must be noted that there is no obligation to formerly and explicitly have before one's mind a motive which will immediately relate our actions to God. It is enough that such an intention should be implied in the apprehension of the thing as lawful with a consequent virtual submission to Almighty God. Gluttony is in general a venial sin in so far forth as it is an undue indulgence in a thing which is in itself neither good nor bad.
I think gluttony extends beyond just food and drink, and would extend to the use of illegal drugs, overindulgence in sex, overconsumption of natural resources such as gasoline, etc. I think certain young performers recently have demonstrated extremely gluttonous behavior, even though food is probably not involved (since they can't afford to get fat).
For example, I think it would be gluttonous to kill an endangered animal because it's considered a delicacy. The Miriam-Webster Dictionary gives as its second definition, "greedy or excessive indulgence" and I think that is a better definition of when overindulgence becomes a sin. It's when you drink $250 a bottle wine not because of its exquisite taste, but because it's expensive. Or it's when you buy an SUV that you don't need in spite of the fuel economy of 6 miles per gallon just so you'll have the biggest, baddest car on the road.
It's overindulgence caused by greed. It's flaunting your excess when you know others are barely surviving. It's taking advantage of the world for your personal satisfaction. It's loving yourself more than you love either God or your neighbor. But that's just my opinion; others may disagree.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
Esther
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas City, Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 152 |
| First Name: | Esther | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist to Roman Catholic 11/26/06 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 31st, 2007 03:39 pm |
|
| I've been thinking about this quite a bit. I have struggled with an eating disorder since I was about 10 and know many women who go through the same thing. Do you think persons with bulimia or overeating disorders would also fall in the category of gluttony? Although I am not sure I could associate it with greed, but definitely overindulgence. I wonder if the culpability would be lessened because it is a disorder.
|
|
|
David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2260 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 31st, 2007 03:56 pm |
|
Esther, just as there is a difference between a lush and an alcoholic, so there is a difference between a glutton and a person with an eating disorder. Both ends of the differential are bad, of course, but in different ways. The glutton is sinful in the same way the lush is. And just as an alcoholic can also be a teetotaler or a drunk, depending on what he does with his alcoholism, so a person with an eating disorder may or may not be sinful, depending on how he approaches his disorder. Yes, culpability can be lessened by a disorder so long as the person is actively working against the disorder.
David
|
|
|
Ali
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 665 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 6th, 2007 09:34 am |
|
David W. Emery wrote: Yes, culpability can be lessened by a disorder so long as the person is actively working against the disorder.
David
I would hasten to add, though, that many times eating disorders are also related to mental disorders and not simply overindulging in food for the sake of overindulging. There is more going on in the girls head than just thinking of eating all the food before anyone else can. And as with any mental illness, working against it can meet with much resistance, and I don't think we can hold accountable those people for their actions in all instances.
{{{Esther}}} I'm sorry you've struggled with this. Many times I've thanked God for not letting slip over that cliff. It was always one of my biggest fears in raising a daughter as well.
Ali
|
|
|
Esther
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas City, Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 152 |
| First Name: | Esther | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist to Roman Catholic 11/26/06 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 6th, 2007 12:25 pm |
|
Ali wrote: {{{Esther}}} I'm sorry you've struggled with this. Many times I've thanked God for not letting slip over that cliff. It was always one of my biggest fears in raising a daughter as well.
Ali
Thanks for the encouragement Ali. After struggling with this for the last 14 years, I have bounced on all ends of the spectrum. I was put on a diet at 8 years old and that kind of started my obsession with food, lack there of, and body image. Now that I am a bit older, I have a better understanding of this disorder and myself. I have not conquered it (as it is something you never 'kick'), I have learned how to manage it better. I've had the awesome opportunity to walk with young women who also suffer from eating disorders. No matter how different the eating disorder, it seems to me to have the same root causes. I am not a doctor just MHO.
In the end, I know God knows how much I struggle with this. The pain, guilt, and hurt that we inflict on ourself. I just have to lay myself in His mercy. There are certain things that are subjective when it comes to sin and that is when I know the Holy Spirit must be my moral compass as He is my Paraclete. He knows the heart of those who struggle with it.
I will be praying for your daughter will feel and see the love that you give her and to know it is unconditional. I love to see as young ladies mature into self-loving and self confident (not selfish!) women who serve as beacons of light for the rest.  I am sure yours will be one of those!
In Christ,
Esther
Last edited on Tue Nov 6th, 2007 12:26 pm by Esther
|
|
|
David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2260 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 6th, 2007 06:02 pm |
|
Ali wrote:I would hasten to add, though, that many times eating disorders are also related to mental disorders and not simply overindulging in food for the sake of overindulging.
An eating disorder is a type of mental or emotional disorder. This is why culpability may be lessened. “Actively working against it” does not necessarily imply that the person is successful. It only means that the person recognizes the disorder for what it is and does what he can to minimize it and its effects.
David
|
|
|
brian
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 849 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 7th, 2007 01:35 am |
|
This subject came up the other day, and I was meaning to ask about it in regards to alcoholics or those with eating disorders. I definitely think because of the disorder they are less culpable, but I still wonder if it is good to help them see the reasons why they should re think there chices. Not to bmake them feel guilty, but maybe a young Christian girl has never thought about the idea that her body is a temple and that to mistreat it is something that makes God sad in some way because He made it and wants her to take good care of it and be thankful for it. Yet I would not want to say anything to make such a person feel guilty, for it is not there fault and they are a victim, yet, I also think that if they can see the issue more clearly they may be more motivated to do just what you are saying and work on it even if seemingly to futility.
I suppose were I to give advice to someone with this I would try to be extremely compassionate and accepting and not condeming, while still seeking to make sure they understood the moral issues with taking care of ones self and encouraged them to strive toward this hile trusting in God's mercy for the times they will fail.
Brian
|
|
|
Current time is 06:08 am | |
|
|
