Church discipline for morbidly obese

GaveMeJoy

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How do you discipline anorexia and bulimia? i think the same approach would be needed here. emphasis on the obese person going to Overeaters Anon or Celebrate Recovery or maybe seeing a therapist?

there is a Christian course some churches in my country (the UK) use called New ID for Eating Disorders and it deals with overeating as well as anorexia and bulimia. many have found it very helpful and have gone on to get further help if needed afterwards.
Good point. I suppose we are dealing with illnesses here in cases like compulsive eating, anorexia, bulimia etc. We need to be careful to love people with mental illnesses, and it might be a very big mistake to apply church discipline rules to people for mental illnesses. Out of the 9 pages of comments, Yours changed my perspective.
 
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Strong in Him

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Good point. I suppose we are dealing with illnesses here in cases like compulsive eating, anorexia, bulimia etc. We need to be careful to love people with mental illnesses, and it might be a very big mistake to apply church discipline rules to people for mental illnesses. Out of the 9 pages of comments, Yours changed my perspective.

It has been said before that some people overeat for psychological reasons, that there are medical conditions, like Cushing's disease and Prader Willi syndrome that cause massive weight gain, and that some medications, like steroids, can cause this too.
Prader Willi syndrome - a condition where someone cannot stop eating - is a genetic disorder.

Like I've said all along, it would be wrong to look at an obese person, conclude that their weight gain was due ONLY to overeating/greed/eating the wrong kinds of food and judge them for being sinners.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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It has been said before that some people overeat for psychological reasons, that there are medical conditions, like Cushing's disease and Prader Willi syndrome that cause massive weight gain, and that some medications, like steroids, can cause this too.
Prader Willi syndrome - a condition where someone cannot stop eating - is a genetic disorder.

Like I've said all along, it would be wrong to look at an obese person, conclude that their weight gain was due ONLY to overeating/greed/eating the wrong kinds of food and judge them for being sinners.
Morbidly obese is different than obese. I think it’s logical to conclude that morbidly obese people are in their condition due to over eating. However we shouldn’t judge anyone and I wasn’t suggesting church discipline for people on sight based on being overweight. The OP is about compulsive eaters/bingers but they obviously have mental jealth issues
 
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solid_core

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It has been said before that some people overeat for psychological reasons, that there are medical conditions, like Cushing's disease and Prader Willi syndrome that cause massive weight gain, and that some medications, like steroids, can cause this too.
Prader Willi syndrome - a condition where someone cannot stop eating - is a genetic disorder.

Like I've said all along, it would be wrong to look at an obese person, conclude that their weight gain was due ONLY to overeating/greed/eating the wrong kinds of food and judge them for being sinners.
Such syndromes are very rare.

While sweetened beverages and fast foods are not.
 
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Strong in Him

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Morbidly obese is different than obese. I think it’s logical to conclude that morbidly obese people are in their condition due to over eating. However we shouldn’t judge anyone and I wasn’t suggesting church discipline for people on sight based on being overweight. The OP is about compulsive eaters/bingers but they obviously have mental jealth issues

Ok, thanks.
I think the majority of morbidly obese people probably are that way because of their eating habits - whatever the reasons for them. But I wouldn't like to judge.

I still don't feel that this is a matter for church discipline, however.
 
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Strong in Him

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Such syndromes are very rare.

No doubt.
But it would be wrong to call people out on their weight issues without knowing the reasons behind it. Criticising/disciplining someone for obesity, when in fact it's a problem that is not their fault and they can't control, could cause all sorts of problems. As I've said, I've read of people who were criticised for being fat and went home and consoled themselves by eating chocolate, cake or junk food.
 
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solid_core

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No doubt.
But it would be wrong to call people out on their weight issues without knowing the reasons behind it. Criticising/disciplining someone for obesity, when in fact it's a problem that is not their fault and they can't control, could cause all sorts of problems. As I've said, I've read of people who were criticised for being fat and went home and consoled themselves by eating chocolate, cake or junk food.
If you see so many obese and overweight Americans on the street, its really a sad and not attractive picture and something should be done about it. I am not sure what.

The main causes should be defined and its stress, the lack of basic knowledge about nutrition, the lack of self control and the lack of discipline.
Rare syndromes are not behind what we see on American streets.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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Ok, thanks.
I think the majority of morbidly obese people probably are that way because of their eating habits - whatever the reasons for them. But I wouldn't like to judge.

I still don't feel that this is a matter for church discipline, however.
I tend to agree and learned a lot from this thread
 
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GaveMeJoy

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It has been said before that some people overeat for psychological reasons, that there are medical conditions, like Cushing's disease and Prader Willi syndrome that cause massive weight gain, and that some medications, like steroids, can cause this too.
Prader Willi syndrome - a condition where someone cannot stop eating - is a genetic disorder.

Like I've said all along, it would be wrong to look at an obese person, conclude that their weight gain was due ONLY to overeating/greed/eating the wrong kinds of food and judge them for being sinners.
I agree, we shouldn’t judge. It’s equally harmful to our brothers or sisters in Christ who are shortening their life and ruining their quality of life through food addiction for us as a Christian community to make excuses for their sin. Because harming your body and shortening your life and being gluttonous is a sin. We don’t make excuses for other types of sin but being horrifically fat gets a full pass, which I believe is not scriptural. No elder should be morbidly obese IMO but I agree church discipline is not the way for the members of the body
 
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Strong in Him

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If you see so many obese and overweight Americans on the street, its really a sad and not attractive picture and something should be done about it. I am not sure what.

I doubt there's anything that can be done - beyond a nation wide keep fit/healthy eating regime; and even then, you couldn't force people to take part.

A person has to want to lose weight/give up drinking or smoking or anything else, for themselves; not because someone stands over them saying "you must". If they can see they are putting their own health at risk, with the possibility of an early death and not being around for their kids/grandchildren; that will be the biggest incentive of all to give up a bad habit or way of life.
 
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RickardoHolmes

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I deal, professionally, at times, with people who are obese. Help is available, but must be offered when a person is willing, and to be willing, sometimes, a person must change his or her habits and beliefs.

Regardless, there is no such thing as "Church discipline" nor should there ever be. If a church approached me with such a term, I would run...not walk...away and maybe after I first initiated some "discipline" of my own.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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I deal, professionally, at times, with people who are obese. Help is available, but must be offered when a person is willing, and to be willing, sometimes, a person must change his or her habits and beliefs.

Regardless, there is no such thing as "Church discipline" nor should there ever be. If a church approached me with such a term, I would run...not walk...away and maybe after I first initiated some "discipline" of my own.
IMO Church discipline is a biblical principle with a structure clearly laid out in the New Testament. However it’s fine if you don’t view the scripture as your ultimate authority. Christians have a wide variety of opinions on this issue. Also it’s important to recognize that this thread does not address obesity, but morbid obesity, which are completely different terms with different definitions.
 
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RickardoHolmes

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IMO Church discipline is a biblical principle with a structure clearly laid out in the New Testament.
It is not in My New Testament

I would suggest that medical conditions, such as morbid obesity, be left to the care of the trained medical professionals, and that the congregation take a stance of support with any who are ill.
 
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GaveMeJoy

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It is not in My New Testament

I would suggest that medical conditions, such as morbid obesity, be left to the care of the trained medical professionals, and that the congregation take a stance of support with any who are ill.
I agree with your conclusion. We should not vilify mental illness we need to respond with love, and compulsive eating is an illness.
 
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