Church attendance is shrinking, but the religious are filling the space with a heaviness that is anything but spiritual. The social community of modern churches, temples and synagogues offer salvation right along with Soup Sundays and summer potlucks. The way that many religions use bean-feeds to reach out and fellowship with each other is commendable, but the traditional gluttony of unhealthy food is creating un-Christian chaos in cholesterol counts.

One study done by Purdue University in 1998 listed Southern Baptists as the heaviest of all church-goers who, in general, are all ready heavier than non-church-goers. "While most evangelical Christians don't drink, smoke, curse, or commit adultery, they do eat. And eat," says a Church Central Leadership Community blog.

Church Central was quoting Autumn Marshall, a nutritionist at church-affiliated Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., who went on to say that gluttony "just appears to be a more acceptable vice." .

Indeed, the weekly consumption of carbohydrates in the form of cookies and doughnuts is widely accepted, but the heart-healthy wine Jesus offered his followers at The Last Supper is often viewed as taboo. When Jesus broke bread for his disciples, saying, "Do this in rememberance of me," he likely did not mean to initiate fried-chicken feasts. As a whole, Bible-thumpers are breaking too much bread, and not drinking enough wine (or grape juice either!)

A bumper sticker promoting organ donation reads, "Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here." But if statistics are accurate, many believers wouldn't be able to donate. It seems that many believers would rather have their cake and go to heaven too, leaving hellish corpses full of decay and disease behind and missing out on literally saving many other lives.

If the churches, temples and synagogues want to do any earthly good as they head to heaven, their members need to quit eating themselves down the path of destruction. Therefore, direct from the desk of a relgiously-raised church girl with a degree in exercise and sport science, here are some slimming ideas for Sundays.

Pray over the potluck, and then offer it to the local homeless shelter. Many seem to think that praying is a miraculous means to lowering the calorie count and increasing food's nutrition value. How can we thank God for food that is so processed it no longer resembles anything close to what was originally created, and then ask the Almighty to be glorified as we hog it down like pigs? Pew-warmers don't need more calories, but the less-fortunate do!

If giving up the yearly potluck just isn't possible, at least try to make it healthier. Ask politely for salads and whole-grain rolls. Have Ladies Inspiration Tea events instead of Ladies Luncheons. Serving whole-wheat buns at the yearly men's BBQ is healthier than pasty-white buns that lead to pasty-white plaque buildup in the arteries. With churches lacking in quality male leadership, keeping everyone healthy should be a priority.

Even more priority should be given to future generations. Many health-conscious mothers are disappointed to learn about the unhealthy sugary snacks offered to their babies right within in the God's house. Giving goldfish to God's children won't benefit them like fresh-sliced fruit or veggies. If storage is an issue, keep whole-grain organic snacks in an air-tight container. Offer water or 100-percent juice.

Utilize the health professionals in the congregation to provide lectures about diet, nutrition and exercise. If possible, create a regular fitness class that meets once or twice a week. Charge a small fee to compensate the instructor, so that volunteers don't burn-out. One church offers a moving worship class while another offered a meditative yoga class focused on scripture, poses, and prayer.

Instead of buying food for the church picnic, encourage members to donate the money they would spend on fried chicken and potato salad. Money spent monthly on buying cake for Birthday Sunday can be donated to natural disaster relief funds. If church-goers must eat out together after services, choose a healthy restaurant and opt out of buffets.

Of all those living on God's green earth, the pagans are taking better care of themselves and the earth around them. Believers should lead the way, not waddle along behind. Let us join them in pursuing long, fruitful lives for ourselves, our earth, and our future generations.

MY OTHER FIT FACTOIDZ

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