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Extremely overweight pastors

Discussion in 'Polls Forum' started by Salty, Oct 3, 2012.

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  1. Yes I would vote against him

    5 vote(s)
    17.9%
  2. No, his obesity would have no effect on my decision

    9 vote(s)
    32.1%
  3. It might be a partial consideration

    11 vote(s)
    39.3%
  4. Not sure

    1 vote(s)
    3.6%
  5. Other answer

    2 vote(s)
    7.1%
  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Would you vote against a pastor only for being morbidly obese
     
  2. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Salty, I have an fat governor..... I dont discriminate. Ive met him & he is likable, competent & straightforward and most importantly....he has a plan which is refreshing. I am more worried that he keep his promises to New Jersey. I seriously believe if he went into national politics he would have some difficulties with his health but thats his call.
     
  3. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I might have a serious discussion with him or her, but my vote does not hinge on their body shape.

    Remember one pastor wo did not have very good verbal action for preaching, so he read his sermons from full notes. Far better than himming and hawing, repeating and pausing.

    This pastors' fat condition may not fault the message, though I suppose it could distract a few listeners. Those blokes who dance all over the platform would distract me more.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  4. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    "Other"

    No, it would not be the sole reason however it might be part of the reason. I would expect a Q and A period where I could ask him questions and determine if the the obesity is a symptom of a real issue (gluttony, lack of self-control, or stewardship...for some examples). If it proves to be a stand alone issue then it would have no real impact on my decision.
     
  5. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    My husband is clearly overweight. It is not from gluttony although he does need to be careful of his food choices. He has a hard time exercising like he used to because of a very badly damaged foot. He is still a great man of God but just needs to work at decreasing his caloric intake and increase his activity. His weight doesn't affect his ability to pastor except he can't play our Thanksgiving morning football game but that is due to his foot, not his weight.
     
  6. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    No. To do so would be discrimination. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the HEART. We should do the same.
     
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    would you vote to call a man who had 2 wives? If no - that would be disccrimination
     
  8. padredurand

    padredurand Well-Known Member
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    Any man that intentionally had two mother-in-laws wouldn't be fit to preach under any circumsrances.:laugh:

    After a lengthy discussion with my doctor it was determined that I am not overweight. I am nine inches too short. Would you vote me out for being undertall?
     
  9. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    You have reached the height of, of, well, of something
     
  10. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    I believe that people expect Baptist Pastors to be undertall! You resemble the whole bunch at the buffet.:laugh:
     
  11. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    If a man cannot manage his own body how can he manage the church of God?
     
  12. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Oh I dont know.....maybe because he is human.:laugh:
     
  13. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    So if he is an adulterer you would back him because "he is human.:laugh:"

    Or if he were a pedophile you would back hims because "he is human.:laugh:"

    Or a drunk?

    Or a drug addict?
     
  14. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

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    Gluttony is not a condition or a symptom of the obese. On the other hand Anorexia is.
     
  15. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    Yes, but is he morbidly obese? A man who has been injured will have to adjust his intake to match his output. That will take a while. But, as you say, he is starting to make changes to manage his weight. Good for him. :)

    The average, healthy male gains 1 pound per year after the age of 20. At 20 I was in the Army. I weighed 150 pounds. I am now 66 years old. At the rate of 1 pound per year my healthy weight could be as high as 196 pounds. It is less than that.

    I know how difficult it is to manage your weight when you lose the ability to engage in vigorous physical exercise. I have been battling serious health problems for the past 15 years. I have CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy). CIDP is very similar to, but much rarer than, Multiple Sclerosis in that the myelin (the insulation that keeps your nerve impulses from short circuiting) is being broken down and destroyed (CIDP is an auto-immune disorder that causes my own immune system to attack my own body). This effects all my nerves including optic nerve, brain, and motor and sensory nerves. It makes it very difficult for me to walk or engage in other exercise. It has also damaged the nerves to my heart causing a cardiac arrhythmia that is very debilitating. (My doctor has a warped sense of humor. When she gave me the diagnoses she said "I have bad news and good news." I told her to tell me the bad news first. She said "eventually you will be in a wheel chair with no use of your arms or legs." Okay, I said, what is the good news. She said, "Your heart condition will kill you long before you have to be in a wheel chair!" :D:D)

    All of this to say that not being as physically active as I used to be makes maintaining my weight at an acceptable level is much more difficult. But we have a responsibility to others to show them by the way we live that "with God all things are possible."

    I have a not very subtle way of approaching my fellow pastors who are morbidly obese. As I talk to them I poke them in their ample belly and say, "Brother, I am worried about you! You are killing yourself with your fork!" It gets the point across. :)
     
  16. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Yikes!! That's some scary stuff - I'll be praying for you!!

    No, hubby is not morbidly obese - he's in the obese level 1 when I looked online - a BMI of 32. But he DOES have the fact that his heart is clear, his blood pressure is low and his cholesterol is low in his favor. He just needs to lose the gut.
     
  17. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Differing factors play into obesity, even morbid obesity. Each situation is unique, therefore there can be no cookie cutter answer.
     
  18. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Now, it might affect any health benefit package offered, and if it puts too much of a strain on the budget, that might be a consideration.
     
  19. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    :sleeping_2:
     
  20. Gib

    Gib Active Member

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    Extremely overweight? (sheepishly raises hand) Yep insurance was a problem. We had to go outside of church's coverage.
     
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