Church of Thin - God’s word, cult or nonsense? You decide.

I feel it is important to discuss topics like this when they appear (***getting out my soapbox***) - I am not telling any one what to do or not to - we all have the right to pick our own religion, church and diets. BUT I am giving my whole- hearted WARNING that no matter what church, health or diet program you chose DO YOUR RESEARCH - do not blindly follow any one, even if it is dressed up in the robes of a church and the word of God.

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. Followers fill up on soda and caffeine to curb their appetite. Services are held on Saturday evenings, followed by an after party loaded with fun, wine, food, music and dancing. Some of her “diet” advice includes:

* “take a shot of orange juice to raise your blood sugar levels. Wait 20 minutes before eating your meal.”
A healthy alternative that I recommend is eat a green salad, or some light soup or a small serving of a healthy lowfat protein to curb your hunger. Orange juice spikes your blood sugar (especially when you drink it all by itself) - so all you are doing is setting yourself up for a roller coaster ride.

* “Gwen also recommends eating only your favorite color M&Ms, take your time and don’t eat the entire pack.”
A healthier option is to eat a rainbow of colors from the vegetable and fruit family. Why waste money on a pack of M&Ms that you are only going to throw away - that will spike your blood sugar, leading to more cravings and more hunger later on? I do agree that when you chose to have a treat (like chocolate) or any food that you savor the flavor, and take your time.

Thurs. May 10, Church of Thin on Tyra Banks show - Recap HERE. I would love the opportunity to ask Tyra what she was thinking by promoting this particular “diet” program - because from what research I’ve done it raises a lot of concerns, and I think she should have offered more background information as well as an alternative point of view. The Church of Thin’s weigh down program is going to be featured again on another show (that’s how I heard about it from the tv ad) - I hope they do a more responsible job of covering the whole story behind it.

Here is the Bio for the founder, Gwen Shamblin, (author of the Weigh Down diet), a woman who prays for the right outfit to wear for an interveiw.

More about their church:
Brief History - from a former member, an overview of their traumatic experience being recruited into a cult (”high demand religious group”) and their painful experience with “cultic mind control.”

Gwen’s church demands obedience and strict rules - here is an article with a video of the news coverage of her teachings how God teaches to spank your child (over and over again if needed called “show down spanking”, using ” glue sticks because they hurt like switches but don’t leave marks”) - one child died at age 8 becasue his parents were following the church’s teachings. (This frightens me way more then any diet advice she gives out!)

An Overview article on the Remnant Fellowship Church, “Sociologically the movement appears to have some cult-like elements as well, including heavy-handed authoritarianism…”.

April 10, 2007, Remnant Fellowship’s lawyers dropped the lawsuit that they had filed against several bloggers who did not agree with her. A quote from one of the people named in the lawsuit: ”In fact, it’s Shamblin’s own muted admission that she cannot even support her own false accusations she makes of us, much less defend herself and her sect against the truth we’ve uncovered about her abusive cult. We hope that this gives her flock some serious things to think about the truthfulness of their ‘prophet’ whom they’ve been misled by at such great cost to them personally. It is they who are the victims of ruthless exploitation here…”

I am NOT saying anything negative about Gwen or her church - I am simply putting forth an alternative perspective and providing links as a starting point to doing further research in to her church and her weigh down program; which I would recommend doing for any organization or program someone is thinking about joining or following.

For the Record: The Diet Pulpit does have a very slight “religious” flamboyant style - but we are in NO way a religion nor would we want to be. I am all for promoting Health, and being passionate and totally committed to putting your health goals first and taking care of your body — as I’ve said in my Interview with Middle Age Shed - the Diet Pulpit is about “preaching to myself, becoming totally dedicated to getting myself healthy,” I’m not out to convert any one or have followers. My approach is a tongue-in-cheek, humorous approach that hopefully readers will find motivational and amusing, and if my past mistakes and successes can help someone else that is great - but first and foremost everyone needs to consult with their doctors and find the healthy eating plan and lifestyle that is right for them.

**puts away the soapbox**

What do you think of the Church of Thin? How do you feel about this weight loss approach being presented on the Tyra Banks show without more info. and without an alternative point of view? Should a church like this just be ignored or should they be examined more closely?

Other Posts on Hot Topics:
Could restaurants ban obese customers.
Fitness a Luxury?.
Fat Hate.
Sexy Ads - nice photos, taglines are a disgrace!
Nude Magazine Cover - empowering or not? - you decide.

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