"Isaiah 55:2 Why do YOU people keep paying out money for what is not bread, and why is YOUR toil for what results in no satisfaction? Listen intently to me, and eat what is good, and let YOUR soul find its exquisite delight in fatness itself."
W
Watchtower = Elders can disfellowship people for being too FAT!!! Has this happened?
by Witness 007 40 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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blondie
*** w04 11/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers ***
How does the Christian congregation view gluttony?
God’s Word condemns both drunkenness and gluttony as behavior that is incompatible with serving God. Therefore, the Christian congregation regards a confirmed glutton in the same manner as it views a habitual drunkard. Neither a drunkard nor a glutton can be part of the Christian congregation.
Proverbs 23:20, 21 states: “Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of wine, among those who are gluttonous eaters of flesh. For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with mere rags.” At Deuteronomy 21:20, we read about a “stubborn and rebellious” individual, who deserved to be put to death under the Mosaic Law. According to this verse, two characteristics of that rebellious and unrepentant individual were that he was “a glutton and a drunkard.” Clearly, in ancient Israel, gluttony was viewed as an unacceptable practice for those who desired to serve God.
What, though, constitutes a glutton, and what do the Christian Greek Scriptures say about this topic? A glutton is defined as “one given habitually to greedy and voracious eating and drinking.” Thus, for one thing, gluttony is a form of greed, and God’s Word tells us that “greedy persons” are the sort of people who will not inherit God’s Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Philippians 3:18, 19; 1 Peter 4:3) In addition, when the apostle Paul warned Christians against practicing “the works of the flesh,” he mentioned “drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these.” (Galatians 5:19-21) Overeating often accompanies drunken bouts and revelries. Moreover, gluttony certainly is included in Paul’s expression “and things like these.” As with the other “works of the flesh,” a Christian who is widely known for his gluttony and who stubbornly refuses to change his greedy behavior ought to be removed from the congregation.—1 Corinthians 5:11, 13.
Although God’s Word places a drunkard on the same level as a glutton, the former is much easier to identify than the latter. The signs of drunkenness are usually quite visible. However, determining the point at which an individual becomes a confirmed glutton is much harder because it cannot be determined simply by outward appearance. Therefore, handling situations in this area of concern requires great care and discernment on the part of the elders in the congregation.
For example, obesity may be a sign of gluttony, but that is not always the case. One’s being overweight may be the result of an ailment. Hereditary factors may also contribute to obesity. We should also keep in mind that obesity is a physical condition, while gluttony is a mental attitude. Obesity is defined as “a condition characterized by excessive bodily fat,” whereas gluttony is “greedy or excessive indulgence.” Thus, gluttony is not determined by someone’s size but by his attitude toward food. A person may be of normal size or may even be thin and yet be a glutton. Furthermore, what is viewed as the ideal weight or shape varies considerably from place to place.
What are signs of gluttony? A glutton routinely shows a lack of restraint, even gorging himself on food to the point of feeling very uncomfortable or becoming sick. His lack of self-control indicates that he has no real concern about the reproach he brings upon Jehovah and the good reputation of His people. (1 Corinthians 10:31) On the other hand, a person who overeats on a few occasions would not automatically be viewed as a “greedy person.” (Ephesians 5:5) Nevertheless, in the spirit of Galatians 6:1, such a Christian might need help. Paul states: “Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness.”
Why is the Bible’s counsel to avoid excessive eating especially important today? Because, particularly regarding our day, Jesus warned: “Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare.” (Luke 21:34, 35) Avoiding overindulgence in food is one important way to shun a spiritually damaging life-style.
Moderation is a Christian virtue. (1 Timothy 3:2, 11) Therefore, Jehovah will surely help all those who earnestly seek to apply the Bible’s counsel on moderate eating and drinking habits.—Hebrews 4:16.
*** w08 9/15 p. 23 Resist “the Spirit of the World” ***
Gluttony is a mental attitude, one marked by greedy or excessive indulgence. Thus, it is determined, not by someone’s size, but by his attitude toward food. A person may be of normal size, or even be thin, and yet be a glutton. On the other hand, in some cases being overweight is the result of an ailment, or hereditary factors may contribute to obesity. A key issue is whether a person, whatever his or her weight, is excessively greedy as regards eating.—See “Questions From Readers” in the November 1, 2004, issue of The Watchtower.
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(Psalm 92:12-14) . . .The righteous himself will blossom forth as a palm tree does; As a cedar in Leb′a·non does, he will grow big. 13 Those who are planted in the house of Jehovah, In the courtyards of our God, they will blossom forth. 14 They will still keep on thriving during gray-headedness, Fat and fresh they will continue to be,
(Proverbs 11:25) The generous soul will itself be made fat, and the one freely watering [others] will himself also be freely watered.
(Proverbs 13:4) The lazy one is showing himself desirous, but his soul [has] nothing. However, the very soul of the diligent ones will be made fat.
(Proverbs 28:25) . . .He that is arrogant in soul stirs up contention, but he that is relying upon Jehovah will be made fat.
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ziddina
There you go, Mad Sweeney and Blondie!!!
Thank you!!! [I thought I was losing my mind.... ]
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InquiryMan
Once again an American phenomenon... Scandinavian JWs are not at all fatter than the general population, perhaps vice versa.
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hamsterbait
In the Bible fatness is seen as a sign of prosperity and health.
Hence the psalm where the wicked are described as prosperous, "their eyes bulge with fatness".
HB
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Ténébreux
He ain't heavy... he's my Brother
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21stcenturywoman
At least half of the JWs I knew growing up were overweight, and some were obese. The P.O. at my former congregation is obese and I remember a CO's wife who was totally obese. I recall most of the gatherings I went to as a kid involved pizza and KFC.
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Momma-Tossed-Me
I know for a fact, from first hand conversation with the elder that he was not appointed a CO because he and his wife were considered overweight. He was and I would venture to say continues to be a substitute.
MTM
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LongHairGal
WITNESS007:
If the religion was cruel enough to do this there would be more suicidal people there than they already have!!! Some people have gained weight because they take anti-depressants. It is probably the religion making them depressed. So, can you imagine the repercussions?
I don't think the religion would ever do this.
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Snoozy
Watch 1974 p.167 "By disobediently overindulging in food and making a glutton of himself, he fails to show love for Jehovah...If in the presence of others does he selfishly ignore there needs and take more than his share? Is he grossly overwieght but shows no restraint at all as to food, habitually gorging himself? Does he feel un-comfortable, perhaps even sick because of eating too much ...glutton has NO PLACE IN GOD'S CONGREGATION...they will not inherit God's Kingdom..."
Watch 78 12/15 p.9 "At a meal the glutton may make it impossible for other diners to eat to satifaction {At Bethel maybe}...the glutton may be despised.....they may SHUN HIM.....he may incurr God's displeasure and lose his life....the kingdom will bring law-defying Gluttons to an end..."
For some reason this just doesn't seem like the WTBTS's way of saying things, you sure this is a direct quote? I noticed "there needs "is spelled wrong, it should be "their needs".. Snoozy, thinking this may have all started out as a joke?