Perhaps this would fit under PZ’s “Religions that Aren’t Called Religions,” as an Ideology. Or perhaps this is simply its own religion, the religion of Health, the religions of Fitness and Nutrition, of Kale Chips. But it could be easily replaced with almost anything–Sound Investments, Good Hair, Child-Rearing–anything that promises we will never die, and thus leaves us missing out on what’s enjoyable about actually, really living. This comes from Capon’s amazing Health, Money and Love (and Why We Don’t Enjoy Them)
“Isn’t it true that the eating habits of most Americans are killing them?” My answer is no. People die because the human race is mortal. What they eat may cause them to die sooner (much sooner if they eat strychnine; less soon, perhaps–barring plane crashes–if they eat Hollandaise sauce). But in any case, some time before they reach the age of 120, they will die; and no religion of eating, however perfectly obeyed, will make the slightest difference in that. Therefore, the last secret of the cult of nutrition–the mystery to be guarded at all costs–is that the implicit promise of immortality (which is the principal selling point of the whole religion) is bunk. The idol in the innermost sanctum doesn’t just have no clothes on; it is even there. But the faithful must scrupulously avoid facing that fact. The one question they must never ask is whether indefinitely on a diet of tofu and organically grown green leaves–without even salt to perk it up, or wine to wash it down, or a nice smoke to top it off–even vaguely resembles living as the human race in its earthly wisdom has defined it.
That, you see, is the big question. And on that, I am one hundred percent apostate from all the religions of health. I am simply tired of uplift, whether at the table, in the armchair, or anywhere else. I am sick of all the pious types who gasp when they watch salt a dish on the stove or put butter and cream in mashed potatoes, or leave a respectable amount of fat on my pork chops when I smother them with onions. I am mortally insulted by snide signs thanking me for not smoking. And I flatly refuse to believe that well-being is in any way furthered by ill-living.
Oh, I know. You want me to qualify all that. You want me to write a paragraph on moderation–or at least a sentence that makes a bow to religion of health–by calling the things I enjoy my “vices.” Or by referring to my smoke-shrouded end of the dinner table as “the sinner’s corner.” But I won’t. A moderate life to me, is about as exciting as a moderate love affair, or a moderate marriage, or a moderate banana split. I want a terrific life. So you write the paragraph yourself, and let me get on with my immoderate pursuit of happiness.
The net result of the religions of food is non-cooking, non-dining, and non-living.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YDTfEhChgw&w=600]
COMMENTS
5 responses to “Finger-Wagging the Tofu Faithful”
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I agree that the cult of health will not keep you alive forever, but as someone who recently became a vegetarian, I feel like once you read about the current system of how we raise animals and eat food, its pretty terrible- just google factory farming. I know once people become a vegetarian, its annoying to have them try to convert you, but when you think you’ve found either something really good or really bad, not to talk about it. What obligation or duty do we have to animals and other people to help create a healthy and humane system? For that matter, why preach the Gospel if people “don’t want to hear it”?
I should say *It’s hard not to talk about*
Ethan: I believe G.K. Chesterton would be in total agreement. Well done, sir!
One of Capon’s best sections. A well-worn, oft-quoted page in my copy of HM&L.
I find myself wanting to agree with Capon–I often agree with his take on things. But, at the end of the day, I feel like there is little substance to this passage. Maybe I am pushing it too hard for specifics and he is simply putting out a general truth. It seems that it mainly comes down to a definition of terms more than anything else. Capon is writing so he gets to use his preconceived definition of moderation (and vice, etc.) For example, he contrasts moderate and terrific as opposites.
Interesting ideas, though.