Church of Thin - this is just too whacky and deserves commenting on
Posted by Lady Rose on June 12, 2007
When I first heard about this on the news this morning - Church of Thin (Weigh Down program) - at first I just thought it was a weight loss program - but no it’s a part of a “real” church - but it’s also very scary and I was a bit distressed after doing some research about them.
See my post - Church of Thin - God’s word, cult or nonsense? for more information and discussion, (I would love to know what you think about this type of “church” and the issues it brings up).
The Church of Thin (a.k.a. Remnant Fellowship Church) and it’s founder Gwen Shamblin were featured on the Tyra Banks show last month and are scheduled to appear on another show soon (that is how I heard about it from the commercial). I was disappointed and a bit angry that Tyra Banks would promote something like this without doing some background checking, or at least give an alternative, healthier option also.
The church demands obedience and strict rules - there is even a news article how one child age 8 died when his parents followed the churches teachings of “show down spanking” - God teaches to spank your child (using” glue sticks because they hurt like switches but don’t leave marks”) — (This just frightens me to no end! more so then her diet advice.)
The only thing I can say is - Everyone has the right to chose their own religion, church, diet, etc. - but PLEASE always research it and never follow blindly.
Have a healthy and happy day, Lady Rose, founder of the Diet Pulpit
Technorati tags: diet dieting lose weight weight loss nutrition health religion Church of Thin
June 12, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Questions of the “church’s” cult-like practices aside… I’m skeptical of both this and Overeater’s Anonymous for precisely the same reason: participants are encouraged to believe that only a higher power can save them from obesity. I think in order to become healthier (which may or may not include losing weight), you have to take ownership of your own unhealthy behaviors, and work to change them. god doesn’t make you overeat or eat unhealthy foods; you do.
June 13, 2007 at 3:06 am
I’m a church-going, religious gal, but Shamblin spooks me. The cult-like structure, the emphasis on appearance, not to mention Gwen has some seriously scary hair. If God were really speaking to her, he’d tell her to stop abusing volumizers.
While I do think that any social system–church or a club or a mommies circle or whatever–can be a great place to get encouragment and support on any sort of personal journey, I do wish more churches emphasized healthier group meals (church potlucks can be low on veggies and high on fatty and sugary stuff, for sure!).
But Gwen, she’s just one strange puppy. And while having a church enforce being thin can be diet effective (peer pressure can work), it strikes me as very creepy how she does it. And I don’t know how Tyra kept a straight face when she had her on. I was going, “Ewww, creepy lady!”
And God doesn’t love you more for being thin or less for being fat. What weird doctrine is that?
Mir
June 13, 2007 at 3:10 am
Oh, and so you know, people in my Christian online circle, including cult folks and apologists, they’ve been talking about this woman and church for years, and warning people for years.
I like Tyra, but I also wish she’d had someone there to give the OTHER side. I suppose she was focusing on just the diet aspect, but if people who are desperate to lose weight go to Remnant cause they heard the ONE positive side (people lose weight) on Tyra, well, I hope they leave fast and don’t go back. What Tyra didn’t show (in the one I watched) was the people who got harassed cause they DID NOT lose weight, and who left the church hurt and discouraged. Sure, they showed the fellowship full of trim folks, cause I doubt they’d have invited the fatties to attend and make it less decorative.
Mir
June 13, 2007 at 4:10 am
Thanks for stopping by and leaving comments. This is an important topic that I think folks need to be warned about. If enough of us speak out, perhaps the next time someone like Tyra Banks covers the story - they will do a better job of presenting all the facts. Lady Rose
June 13, 2007 at 9:36 am
I just started my journey to weight loss about two weeks ago and yes a blog :). I saw this program covered last night and it made me look into the program. I was mainly looking for motivational resources and I could not even find a bible versus on the sire to help me.
The next thing I saw was a sticker price of a couple hundred bucks and I think that is going towards a gym membership. I know God calls us to take care of our body as a temple and I just wanted a verse to remind me and help me keep on track.
Save your money! Prayer is always free.
June 13, 2007 at 10:11 am
Hi Alan thanks for stopping by… try looking up Pastor Steve Reynolds, his church has a program “Bod for God”, on our blog The Diet Pulpit we have a post about it dated May 13 (post title: Sunday Sermon - “A Bod for ALL!”)
The post was done with a bit of tongue and cheek humor - but I do support Paster Reynolds message and what he has to offer. Perhaps you will find some thing useful for you - the post also has a youtube video clip of an interview with him.
You are so right — “save your money! prayer is always free” Any time you see big dollar signs the alarms should go off.
Blessings, Lady Rose
June 14, 2007 at 4:42 pm
This is the first time I heard of this… sounds scary to me.
Ultimately whether you are overweight is based on the decisions you made… eg. deciding to eat a bag of potato chips when you are not supposed to, skip exercise for few days …
June 15, 2007 at 11:38 am
thanks for stopping by Penny - it’s scares me too! Lady Rose
January 15, 2008 at 11:24 am
Has anyone sent an email to Tyra Banks, so that she will rethink to publish this church on her show?? think about the people who still do not know about the real GOD and they will just blindly follow this ridiculous phenomenom