GLUTTONY!!! (mini-series in the Strangers and Aliens podcast)

We've started a new series in the Strangers and Aliens podcast about the Seven Deadly Sins. Our first part is Gluttony -- http://strangersandaliens.com/2012/10/episode-31-gluttony-part-one-of-the-seven-deadly-sins-series/

Now, here's the thing. Gluttony is something that I think hits close to home for many geeks. It doesn't hit BELOW the belt . . . it hits IN the belt!!!

But temperance is a Christian virtue that is repeated throughout scripture. It's in the fruit of the spirit, actually, as "self-control" so it covers a lot more than just gluttony.

I've heard it said that pastors are willing and able to talk about other vices, like porn addiction, drug addiction, alcoholism, etc., but don't tackle gluttony because, well, when it comes to the food part of it (the most obvious in the definition) they aren't as willing to talk about it because, well, look at their waistline! GLUTTONY is one of the few deadly sins that, if you do it, people can know. Just by looking, oftentimes.

As someone who struggles with weight (but who has been fortunate not to suffer some of the health problems obesity can bring . . . yet), I was a little miffed that my co-host wanted to bring this one up first! But, here we are.

I think it's something that should be talked about. Unlike other, more secretive sins, this is one that is right out there in the open, but like other, more secretive sins, it is one that is not really talked about much.

Anyway, you can listen to the podcast - we have some fun talking about the subject and some example from sci-fi and fantasy, and PLEASE write in or record a message if you think we missed a good example or something about the subject we should have talked about - but you don't have to to join the conversation.

What are your thoughts?

~ Ben

I'll send an email on this soon, I hope, but I must say that I feel, as I look back on my past few years, that I allowed myself to suffer from gluttony (of the eating sort, not drinking).

I did start to suffer from the ill effects of being over weight (high blood pressure, sleep apnea, constant fatigue, and frankly, low self esteem).

I learned to control my impulses and gluttonous urges, but it certainly wasn't easy. 2 different weight management plans ( one that was "perfect" and one that "works" - I'll let you figure out which two I was on) taught me a lot about portion control and healthy eating. And in learning that, the gluttonous tendancies dies. Do I still have them? Sure, but I don't give in to it regularly. I'll over indulge once in awhile, but not so often as to be puttin gweight back on.

Of course, this analysis of my habits comes after I have been participating in weight management programs for several years. But to look at it from the biblical standpoint gives me a new perspective on my battle with gluttony. I'm looking forward to hearing your podcast on it to glean some biblical insights on how to handle that craving to over eat.

Drew, I don't know if you have listened to the episode, but I would love it if you would share your story with us. It doesn't solve the problems of gluttony, but it does take a look at the problem through movies and books, and then there are a few scriptural applications as well.

I'm hoping that these Seven Deadly Sins podcast episodes turn into some conversation starters . . .

The main problem I find myself facing is that I eat when I am emotional or stressed. Also, I tend to eat late. It's habitual eating, and its a matter of breaking the habit. It sounds like you have had some success with that.

Ben, the cast is on my phone, and I intend on listening to it while I am at work today (not much client work this am). I'll email you thoughts and my story once I'm done. Look for something by end of the day? Hopefully it'll get to you all before the next cast drops.

No hurry. We have an episode about TV shows to post, and then we'll be doing the feedback episode, I think. We'll also be announcing that we are extending our Facebook contest in that one -- so it will be before the CURRENT end of the contest, but there's still a few days before that.