So, Is the Body Positivity Movement Still a Thing?

[durangodawood]

To be clear, I wasn't saying that the crappy'ness of the food has the entertainment value, I was suggesting that eating a bunch becomes a void filler at social gatherings when other things aren't allowed.


For example, when I go to the weddings on the Catholic side of the family (who are less strict)

The reception is
- you grab few cocktails
- talk to some new people after the social lubricant kicks in
- maybe even hit the dance floor a bit

Eating is something of an after thought at those events

The weddings for the Southern Baptist side (and the other social gatherings for that matter) in my experience, were situations where there pretty much wasn't anything else to do but eat. Awkwardly sitting a table trying to make small talk with cousins I haven't seen in 3 years, going to hit up the buffet is about the only thing for "something to do"

Makes sense. I feel sorry for people who deny themselves like that. Those fun things like dancing, music, drinking are even sanctioned in the Bible. They seem to be venturing off on their own sad path here.

 

[RileyG]

To be clear, I wasn't saying that the crappy'ness of the food has the entertainment value, I was suggesting that eating a bunch becomes a void filler at social gatherings when other things aren't allowed.


For example, when I go to the weddings on the Catholic side of the family (who are less strict)

The reception is
- you grab few cocktails
- talk to some new people after the social lubricant kicks in
- maybe even hit the dance floor a bit

Eating is something of an after thought at those events

The weddings for the Southern Baptist side (and the other social gatherings for that matter) in my experience, were situations where there pretty much wasn't anything else to do but eat. Awkwardly sitting a table trying to make small talk with cousins I haven't seen in 3 years, going to hit up the buffet is about the only thing for "something to do"

Very interesting.

Also, I wonder if the region has something to do with it? Southern Baptists are more pre-levant in the South, and one is more likely to find Catholics in the Midwest than Baptists. Our culinary dishes are also different. Had a co worker (non-religious) from the South joke that if she wasn’t diabetic already, southern sweet tea would have made her!

Or even LDS who don’t drink alcohol or coffee at all are infamous for their fatty casseroles such as funeral potatoes.

Just an observation

 

[RileyG]

Makes sense. I feel sorry for people who deny themselves like that. Those fun things like dancing, music, drinking are even sanctioned in the Bible. They seem to be venturing off on their own sad path here.

I think LDS (not Christian based on CF standards) completely forbids drinking. I’ve known a few Baptists, Pentecostals, or other Evangelicals that might have a drink or two. Depends how strict they are? Maybe.

I don’t know anyone who is completely opposed to music and dancing, especially at weddings?

 

[RileyG]

So the old saying "Finish your food because people are starving.”
Really doesn't make much sense.

I think it is meant to appreciate the food one has? Not to waste it? Maybe?

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Makes sense. I feel sorry for people who deny themselves like that. Those fun things like dancing, music, drinking are even sanctioned in the Bible. They seem to be venturing off on their own sad path here.

The old Sunday school I went to used to have the slogan
"Don't smoke, drink, or chew... or run with those who do"

My parents did end up easing up on that stuff a bit, and ended up in a church that was a little more "relaxed".... of course, that didn't happen until I was much older, so I didn't get to enjoy the benefit of it like my two younger brothers (who are quite a bit younger) did.

 

[durangodawood]

The old Sunday school I went to used to have the slogan
"Don't smoke, drink, or chew... or run with those who do"

My parents did end up easing up on that stuff a bit, and ended up in a church that was a little more "relaxed".... of course, that didn't happen until I was much older, so I didn't get to enjoy the benefit of it like my two younger brothers (who are quite a bit younger) did.

Maybe just dont chew fried refined flours and sugar every meal.... or run with those who do.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Very interesting.

Also, I wonder if the region has something to do with it? Southern Baptists are more pre-levant in the South, and one is more likely to find Catholics in the Midwest than Baptists. Our culinary dishes are also different. Had a co worker (non-religious) from the South joke that if she wasn’t diabetic already, southern sweet tea would have made her!

Or even LDS who don’t drink alcohol or coffee at all are infamous for their fatty casseroles such as funeral potatoes.

Just an observation

The regional food cultures could play a factor.

But in the case of my extended family, most were Ohioans for quite a while on both sides of the family
(My mom's one aunt stayed in Kentucky with her family, the rest from that side moved up here)

The Church I grew up in had bi-weekly buffet style meals that closely resembled this

After every Sunday service, and on Wednesday nights after the Prayer meeting and AWANAs let out.

It'd typically have fried chicken & jo-jos, mac & cheese, usually some sort of pasta dish, a few casseroles, a few sheet pizzas, and then there was the Soda and Dessert table down at the other end that would have a mountain of cookies and every flavor of soda you can imagine.

And adults and children alike would "go to town".


...and I don't mean to do this just to strictly pick on Baptists for "using food to fill some voids".

I think a lot of problematic overeating probably fits that definition.

I'm reading through a Cleveland Clinic piece on this topic as we speak, and it states:
“Boredom eating is the No. 1 trigger of mindless overeating,” states Dr. Albers. “And we tend to do it often in certain spots and locations. For example, on the couch while we’re watching TV, or if you’re sitting at your desk because you’re feeling bored.”

 

[RileyG]

The regional food cultures could play a factor.

But in the case of my extended family, most were Ohioans for quite a while on both sides of the family
(My mom's one aunt stayed in Kentucky with her family, the rest from that side moved up here)

The Church I grew up in had bi-weekly buffet style meals that closely resembled this
View attachment 374060

After every Sunday service, and on Wednesday nights after the Prayer meeting and AWANAs let out.

It'd typically have fried chicken & jo-jos, mac & cheese, usually some sort of pasta dish, a few casseroles, a few sheet pizzas, and then there was the Soda and Dessert table down at the other end that would have a mountain of cookies and every flavor of soda you can imagine.

And adults and children alike would "go to town".


...and I don't mean to do this just to strictly pick on Baptists for "using food to fill some voids".

I think a lot of problematic overeating probably fits that definition.

I'm reading through a Cleveland Clinic piece on this topic as we speak, and it states:
“Boredom eating is the No. 1 trigger of mindless overeating,” states Dr. Albers. “And we tend to do it often in certain spots and locations. For example, on the couch while we’re watching TV, or if you’re sitting at your desk because you’re feeling bored.”

Oh my goodness, that sounds delicious and tempting! Maybe they saw it as a fellowship time?

But I agree with the boredom part. That makes sense to me.

 

[RileyG]

The old Sunday school I went to used to have the slogan
"Don't smoke, drink, or chew... or run with those who do"

My parents did end up easing up on that stuff a bit, and ended up in a church that was a little more "relaxed".... of course, that didn't happen until I was much older, so I didn't get to enjoy the benefit of it like my two younger brothers (who are quite a bit younger) did.

Super curious, what denomination was it?

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Maybe just dont chew fried refined flours and sugar every meal.... or run with those who do.

I think that ties back into what I mentioned before...

Most people enjoy things that are pleasurable, and most people enjoy some form of variety.

When a person boxes themselves in and intentionally cuts themselves off from a bunch of other things that could satisfy those innate desires, what's left that's both enjoyable and has no shortage of variety? Food.

Again, I promise I'm not trying to be hostile or offensive to the strict evangelicals here.

But I can't imagine that their upbringing was vastly different than my own from age 5 through age 16.

Music? Sure, as long as it's religious music (we all know how "cool" kids think that is, right?)
Movies? Can't be anything other than G-rated. Gee, that's exactly what a 14 year old wants to do...watch a movie geared towards little kids
TV? ...yeah, about the same as the movie situation
Hanging out with people from school? Not unless they're of the same "same ilk" in terms of their family's religious affiliation.
Video games?... yeah, not any of the cool ones lol.

That leaves "hey, we've got chips and cookies"

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Super curious, what denomination was it?

It was Southern Baptist. (although, that was transition that happened a few years before they started going there...that particular Church was once a "Free Will Baptist" church, which...I apologize if this causes any offense, is a counter-intuitive name if you're familiar with that denomination, and a lot of the "old guard" was still there).

It was one of those places where people had to be on the lookout, outside of church. Because being spotted in public breaking one of the rules could get you booted. (for instance, another member sees you out in public with a beer in your hand, or overhears you saying a "cuss word" at a grocery store, etc... they tell the pastor, and boom, you're gone)

Like I said, eventually they did end up in just a more normal Baptist church, but that wasn't until I was around 16-17 and they had already given me the option to not go.

Which part of that may have been just to avoid headaches...according to them, I had something of a reputation for "asking the wrong kinds of questions" in Children's Sunday School back when I was a wee lad. Evidently asking things that delved into predeterminism, or things like "if it's all sin, why are there tougher rules about certain ones?" in front of other 11-13 year olds was frowned upon.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I think LDS (not Christian based on CF standards) completely forbids drinking. I’ve known a few Baptists, Pentecostals, or other Evangelicals that might have a drink or two. Depends how strict they are? Maybe.

I don’t know anyone who is completely opposed to music and dancing, especially at weddings?

Actually, many Pentecostal churches (especially in the rural areas) don't allow dancing (even at weddings), and the only form of dancing allowed is the movements made when "consumed by the holy spirit" (similar to their speaking in tongues thing they do)

But the apologetics discussions on here are somewhat frowned upon, so I'll just leave it at that lol.

 

[RileyG]

It was Southern Baptist. (although, that was transition that happened a few years before they started going there...that particular Church was once a "Free Will Baptist" church, which...I apologize if this causes any offense, is a counter-intuitive name if you're familiar with that denomination, and a lot of the "old guard" was still there).

It was one of those places where people had to be on the lookout, outside of church. Because being spotted in public breaking one of the rules could get you booted. (for instance, another member sees you out in public with a beer in your hand, or overhears you saying a "cuss word" at a grocery store, etc... they tell the pastor, and boom, you're gone)

Like I said, eventually they did end up in just a more normal Baptist church, but that wasn't until I was around 16-17 and they had already given me the option to not go.

Which part of that may have been just to avoid headaches...according to them, I had something of a reputation for "asking the wrong kinds of questions" in Children's Sunday School back when I was a wee lad. Evidently asking things that delved into predeterminism, or things like "if it's all sin, why are there tougher rules about certain ones?" in front of other 11-13 year olds was frowned upon.

Ah, thanks for the info! I’m aware of the free will Baptists and other Baptist denominations. I’m aware of some differences between them.

Actually, many Pentecostal churches (especially in the rural areas) don't allow dancing (even at weddings), and the only form of dancing allowed is the movements made when "consumed by the holy spirit" (similar to their speaking in tongues thing they do)

But the apologetics discussions on here are somewhat frowned upon, so I'll just leave it at that lol.

That’s very true, but Pentecostalism has multiple denominations as well. I think it depends how strict the adherent is.

Thanks for the info!

Peace