Fat.n.sassy
CelebratingNeurodiversity
Rant warning...
Living in a rural area, there are not many radio stations available. Especially of a Christian variety, so I listen to one station. However, I came across something last week that really made me mad.
On this particular radio show, the guest speaker was a preacher/minister who launched a weight loss 'campaign' at his church. What the heck!?
Not that it's up to me, but my opinion is that if a group of folks who 'attend' a church or congregation want to get together and have a weight loss group, a book club group, a hynm sing, or ...well, you get the picture; that seems more fair. However, if your pastor/minister/preacher launches a weight loss "campaign"; how is that fair or even acceptable???
A church leader is someone who historically has perceived power and authority in a congregation. This person usually sees us at our best and worst; in times of joy (worship, births, marriages) and in times of sorrow and grief (illness, death). I think it is wrong to use one's perceived power/authority in the way this religious leader did. People are often particularly vulnerable with these relational dynamics in the first place.
Since public opinion still generally views it as ok to "help" us fat folks, some see what this person is doing is helpful and even Godly. One caller actually said that there was a woman at her church who clearly 'loved the Lord' and really cared about people.....BUT was very 'overweight'. (so...I guess being 'overweight' negated the other stuff???) The caller wanted to take this woman aside and talk with her about her 'weight issue' and was actually asking this pastor's advice about how to go about 'helping' this sister! Then this pastor gave her advice on how to bring up the subject and was even praising her for her effort. Grrrrrr!!
I don't know what, if anything else to say here, but I sure am glad that I have a place in which to say it! Thanks.
Living in a rural area, there are not many radio stations available. Especially of a Christian variety, so I listen to one station. However, I came across something last week that really made me mad.
On this particular radio show, the guest speaker was a preacher/minister who launched a weight loss 'campaign' at his church. What the heck!?
Not that it's up to me, but my opinion is that if a group of folks who 'attend' a church or congregation want to get together and have a weight loss group, a book club group, a hynm sing, or ...well, you get the picture; that seems more fair. However, if your pastor/minister/preacher launches a weight loss "campaign"; how is that fair or even acceptable???
A church leader is someone who historically has perceived power and authority in a congregation. This person usually sees us at our best and worst; in times of joy (worship, births, marriages) and in times of sorrow and grief (illness, death). I think it is wrong to use one's perceived power/authority in the way this religious leader did. People are often particularly vulnerable with these relational dynamics in the first place.
Since public opinion still generally views it as ok to "help" us fat folks, some see what this person is doing is helpful and even Godly. One caller actually said that there was a woman at her church who clearly 'loved the Lord' and really cared about people.....BUT was very 'overweight'. (so...I guess being 'overweight' negated the other stuff???) The caller wanted to take this woman aside and talk with her about her 'weight issue' and was actually asking this pastor's advice about how to go about 'helping' this sister! Then this pastor gave her advice on how to bring up the subject and was even praising her for her effort. Grrrrrr!!
I don't know what, if anything else to say here, but I sure am glad that I have a place in which to say it! Thanks.
