"Seven Deadly Sins"-GLUTTONY # 7

     GLUTTONY- Which is a word we seldom hear used today, generally means the over consumption of food or beverage. Much is being discussed today regarding unhealthy eating, childhood and adult obesity and Government involvement and control of our food industry.
      Despite it being one of the Seven Deadly Sins, GLUTTONY has been celebrated by many cultures throughout history. The ability to consume mass quantities of food or beverage in some cultures is seen as a sign of wealth and high social position. In Polynesian cultures, a high BMI [Body Mass Index] determines ones qualification for leadership among royal families.
 Gluttony as a SIN is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. In the Christian religions, it is considered a sin because of the excessive desire for food or its withholding from the needy. Depending on the culture, it can be seen as either a vice or a sign of status. Where food is relatively scarce, being able to eat well might be something to take pride in. But in an area where food is routinely plentiful, it may be considered a sign of a lack self-control to resist the temptation to over-indulge.
     There are Television shows devoted to and celebrating "over eating", entire TV channels given to the
  preparation and consumption of food. World wide competitions with large prizes for those who can eat the most of all most anything. San Francisco has banned the inclusion of toys with "Happy Meals" because they encourage children to eat unhealthy foods.
     Thousands of festivals are held yearly which focus on one type of food or another. At Holidays we prepare copious amounts of food for family and friends and prepare our selves to deliberately over indulge.
Again we see how one Deadly Sin is associated with another, we are Greedy for food, can be Envious of those with more or better food, Angry when not fed and develop a Lust for specific kinds of food.
     Addictions to many substances are examples of Gluttony, liquor, drugs etc, While some people may be able to control their consumption most are adversely effected by over indulgence.To much of anything even good tasting things are bad, however it is not the responsibility or the right of Government to control what or how we eat. For adults it is a matter of personal responsibility and for children the control must be implemented by adults with good parenting skills.
       Being a Grandparent is sometimes frustrating for me as I cannot even tempt some of my Grandchildren with candy or soda as their responsible parents have taught them to prefer juice and fruit over sugar filled treats.{I am denied the opportunity to get them hyped up on sugar and send them home, darn}

Because of some of my past behaviors I have been told I was a 

"Glutton for Punishment".

Although this is the last of the "Seven Deadly Sins" I would be remiss if I did not offer an eight part where some solutions and safeguards are offered as well as a look at how deadly they actually are.

I just saw this on the news and had to add it. CLICK BELOW

Fat Thieves