Blogger of Jared

Food for Thought?

Posted by Yam on October 28th, 2007

So, I’m reading Will Durant’s The Story of Philosophy.

Paraphrasing some of Nietzsche’s ideas, Durant writes:

Varying foods have varying mental effects: rice makes for Buddhism, and German metaphysics is the result of beer.

This led to a lively discussion: what food would you say moves people towards Mormonism?

One friend and I immediately thought “chocolate”; my wife independently replied “brownies.”  Another friend thought Jello was clearly the culprit; a plain-spoken engineer I know calmly replied, “Steak and potatoes.”

What do you think?

Overall, I’m finding that most of these philosophers really weren’t the sort of people I’d have enjoyed hanging out with, with the possible exceptions of Plato and Spinoza.  Still, I’ve picked up some good thoughts here and there; enough to keep seeking after things “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy,” wherever they may be found…

11 Responses to “Food for Thought?”

    Wheat?
    Actually I think it’s sugar.

    Comment # 1 left by C Jones on October 29th, 2007

    Ice Cream. MMmmm . . . subversive stuff, it is.

    Comment # 2 left by SilverRain on October 29th, 2007

    Hmmmm. Food for thought indeed.

    I am a little confused here. Are you asking what food will make a person more Mormon than they currently are? I guess that is it.

    I think the Word of Wisdom holds the key:

    Herbs (v10), fruit in season (11), flesh of beasts (sparingly) (v12), grain (particularly wheat) (v14).

    So, I think the proper answer is that a well balanced diet is what leads to Mormonism.

    A very Mormon reply don’t you think? :)

    Comment # 3 left by Eric Nielson on October 29th, 2007

    You know, somehow, I hadn’t even thought of the Word of Wisdom! I’d forgotten that it doesn’t just contain prohibitions, but recommendations as well. Eric, you’re absolutely right.

    So much for my excuse to go enjoy some mint chocolate chip ice cream, made with real sugar…

    Hmm; is pumpkin a fruit? I have some pumpkin pie in the fridge… ;-)

    Comment # 4 left by Yam on October 29th, 2007

    I second the vote for WoW.

    If not that, then funeral potatoes. :)

    Comment # 5 left by Michelle on October 29th, 2007

    I may get in trouble here, but I think some of the foods mentioned here (especially jello, funeral potatoes, and wheat) are not so much what propels people to Mormonism as they are indications of Mormon mediocrity. Of course, that MAY be a draw for some.
    How many think that spices beyond salt & pepper are too exotic? I know of a good Wasatch front girl who thought mexican food was a taco shell, browned hambuger meat, and taco sauce which consisted of ketchup and black pepper. I swore I would not marry a local when I was at BYU.
    A better question might be, “What foods SHOULD move people toward Mormonism? What’s on THAT menu?”

    Comment # 6 left by mondo cool on October 30th, 2007

    OK Mondo. ‘What foods should lead people to Mormonism’

    There are many possible answers to this of course, and these answers perhaps give away what one thinks of the church. The answers which came to my mind - in order are:

    My WoW comment above - which was probably pretty obvious.

    Bread and water, i.e. the sacrament. I know this is a little bit of a sunday school answer, but that’s part of me as well.

    Something sophisticated that I have never eaten, and probably can’t pronounce. This gives away my desire to make the church interesting and intelluctual sometimes. Probably say something about what I want the church to be like sometimes.

    I also think of the church as something very practical, so I might suggest that ‘meat and potato’ meals might lead to Mormonism.

    The church is also a very family friendly organization, so a kids meal might also do it.

    I believe that there is something for everyone in the church, so a buffet table might lead to Mormonism.

    I suppose I might be persuaded to say tha all foods lead to Mormonism, much like all things point to Christ.

    Comment # 7 left by Eric Nielson on October 30th, 2007

    Eric:
    I _really_ like your “buffet table” answer. I would only modify it to “an international buffet feast” (on the word). Imagine a panoply of breads (of life), (by their) fruits, cheeses, meats (milk before meat), and fishes from all over the world, each uniquely spiced and salted (for savor). Desserts of honeys, grapes, and figs, and so on.
    All prepared and consumed in gratitude and rejoicing for the bounteous blessings given us by the Lord.

    Comment # 8 left by mondo cool on October 30th, 2007

    Mondo:

    I am glad you like that answer. I know many who do not like that approach. They might call it ‘cafeteria style’ Mormonism - where people sort of pick and choose what priciples to believe or follow, and neglect the rest. I am not so sure. Perhaps we should be more tolerant, and not look to close at what others have on their plate. And just be glad that they are getting some nurishment from the right table.

    Comment # 9 left by Eric Nielson on October 31st, 2007

    Agreed. And, while I understand the sentiment, three points remain: 1) we ALL pick & choose - nobody doesn’t do it; 2) God has set the table with all that anybody needs ; and 3) therefore, we may pick and choose because we may not need a certain menu item.

    Yes, we must focus on what we need, not what’s on someone else’s plate.

    Comment # 10 left by mondo cool on October 31st, 2007

    Hi, I love how you are running this blog. I just started a blog of my own and I was wondering if you would like to do a link exchange with my site. My site can be found at:

    Absolutesportsreport.blogspot.com

    If you want to do this, just leave a comment on my site, on any post, and I’ll link you later that night.

    Thanks,
    Dave

    Comment # 11 left by David on November 2nd, 2007

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