The City of New York has been in the news lately for its proposal to ban large sugary drinks. What difference does it make to the city government how much sugar, salt, or junk food its citizens eat?
A new government regulation requires US food makers to list the amount of “trans fat” on the labels of most food products purchased in stores. Trans fat, which has been linked to heart disease, high cholesterol, and obesity, is something most people should limit or avoid altogether. What difference does it make?
The Food and Drug Administration estimates that Americans could save up to $1.8 billion in medical costs if they reduce their consumption of trans fats. Now, money gives us a reason to consider change. If we are moving toward government health care, then all tax-payers should be concerned about everyone’s else’s unhealthy eating habits. Why should disciplined healthy people pay for undisciplined people’s bad choices? Do we really want to go there?
Here comes that “if” word. Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).
What do you think? Should the government get involved in what we eat and drink?
Tags: food, health, Law, rules
When our children were little, I led worship every week and Anita played piano every week. Our kids always sat in the second row, piano side, where Anita kept an eye on them during my preaching. On one particular Sunday, as I was wrapping up my sermon, little Nathan tugged on his Mom’s dress and said, “I gotta go to the bathroom.” She replied that service was just about over and he could wait just a few minutes.
He soon repeated a little more firmly that he really had to go. She was just as firm that he could wait just another moment. At that, he leaned forward and proceeded to vomit all over the pew in front of him (a nice padded seat).
There was a good lesson in that, as well. Its OK to make rules that teach people responsibility, but one-size-fits-all rules are sometimes out of touch with reality. This was one exception to the rule that we should have heeded.
Are there rules you are imposing on others that just might be too much for them at this point in their lives?
Tags: children, humor, rules