PZ Myers' health issues

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PZ Myers

(photo obtained from Flickr, see license agreement)

The evolutionist and atheist PZ Myers has had significant problems with being overweight. A 2009 picture of a significantly overweight PZ Myers can be found HERE. A 2010 picture taken in Australia shows PZ Myers drinking ale/beer and he had excess weight in his abdominal area.[1] In 2010, PZ Myers had health problems related to his heart.[2] Furthermore, medical science research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.[3][4] Given PZ Myers' biological training and the wide dissemination of the harmful health effects of being overweight in terms of cardiovascular health and brain function, it is unfortunate that preventative medicine was not used in greater measure in terms of his health.[5][6][7] PZ Myers' inattention to diligently implementing the recommendations of nutritional science, exercise science and medical science is not entirely surprising given his vehement advocacy of evolutionary pseudoscience. There have been a number of notable evolutionists who have been overweight. Creation Ministries International points out that some evolutionists unreasonably claim that human evolution supposedly has contributed to obesity.[8] On June 1, 2011, Myers posted a picture of himself and others on his blog and Myers appeared to no longer have issues with being overweight.[9]

Contents

New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight

See also: New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight

The term New Atheism which first appeared in the November 2006 edition of Wired magazine, is frequently applied to a series of six best-selling books by five authors that appeared in the period between 2004–2008. These authors include Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Victor J. Stenger and Christopher Hitchens.[10] 3 out of 5 of these atheist men have had issues with being overweight as can be seen HERE and HERE and HERE PZ Myers is also a leader within the New Atheism movement and as noted above Myers has had problems with being overweight.

Hippocrates, who was also against abortion, was an early advocate of the health benefits of exercise and also nutrition.[11] On the other hand, PZ Myers and a significant amount of other New Atheists leaders, seem to have demonstrated a lack of a full appreciation of the importance of nutritional science, exercise science and the latest findings of medical science (see: New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight}.

There are a number of explanations concerning the New Atheism leadership's problems with obesity

Christian apologist Vox Day commentary on a picture of PZ Myers with his fans

In 2011, Christian apologist Vox Day had an individual complain about the notion that the atheist community has a problem with obesity (Please see: Atheism and obesity). As a result, on May 19, 2011, Vox Day released a blog post entitled Mailvox: now, who said atheists are fat? where 80% of the people taking a picture with PZ Myers were overweight and PZ Myers was overweight in the picture as well as can be seen HERE.[12] The picture was originally posted on PZ Myer's blog Pharyngula by Myers on May 16, 2011 and an online argument quickly ensued concerning the appearance of the photograph's participants.[13]

PZ Myers' visit to the Creation Museum

In August 2009, PZ Myers led a group of over 300 atheist and agnostic students on a tour of the Creation Museum.[14] During the visit, Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a dinosaur model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape.VIDEO

PZ Myers in Toronto

A 2008 picture of PZ Myers meeting with people associated with the Center for Inquiry in Toronto can be found HERE

Physical and mental health related problems associated with obesity

See also: Atheism and Mental and Physical Health and Physical and mental health related problems associated with obesity

Some of the medical conditions associated with obesity include: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, arthritis, cancer, sleep apnea, reproductive problems in women and varicose veins.[15] In addition, medical science research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.[16]

Medical science research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.[17]

According to the Mayo Clinic some of the symptoms associated with obesity can include:

“
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Snoring
  • Sleep apnea
  • Pain in your back or joints
  • Excessive sweating
  • Always feeling hot
  • Rashes or infection in folds of your skin
  • Feeling out of breath with minor exertion
  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
”

Concerning the issue of depression, atheists do have higher rates of suicide than the general population.

Chuck Norris on the topic of obesity

Chuck Norris signing a T-shirt for a soldier in the United States Marine Corps. [19]

In April of 2011, the conservative Christian Chuck Norris wrote:

"The problems with being overweight and obese go far beyond looks. They affect our mentality, mobility and can lead to a number of physical diseases and ailments...

It's true that genetics, environment, socio-economic status, metabolism and behavior can be contributors to these ailments. But the fact is most Americans are overweight and obese because they eat poorly and don't exercise. Most of our foods are super high in fats, sugars and salt. And, compared to other countries, we eat much larger portions. We live to eat – most other cultures eat to live.

The primary reason obesity statistics and these subsequent illnesses are so high is that our culture is entrenched in hedonism, which means we are all about pleasure. We go where we feel like going. We do what we feel like doing. We watch what we feel like watching. And we eat what we feel like eating. And God help the soul who tells us to do otherwise...

... We think doing what we feel like doing is power and freedom, when really it's just carrying out what our flesh craves. True freedom is being able to look straight in the eye of what you feel like doing (even if it's wrong) and possessing the power to say no. Eating what we want isn't liberty – that's tyranny. Eating what is right is freedom – that's victory over oppression. And triumph over the tummy should be our next battle. Fighting for a better America includes fighting for a healthier, fitter, combat-ready you. (That is why my new cultural warrior book, "Black Belt Patriotism," contains an entire chapter on helping you win the consumption war and not just the culture wars. Get a free chapter here.)"[20]

Overcoming obesity with the aid of Christian faith

See also: Overcoming obesity with the aid of Christian faith and Ex-homosexuals and Atheism and morality

Although effective diets, exercise, or medical interventions can rid a person of excess weight, often merely having effective methods available to lose weight is not enough - very frequently, it takes self-discipline as well.

Peter LaBarbera

On the other hand, besetting sins such as gluttony, sloth, homosexuality and drug addiction can certainly be more effectively conquered with the assistance of Christian faith and self-discipline. And of course, in the area of weight loss, through diet and exercise well. Peter LaBarbera is the President of Americans for Truth which is an organization which counters the homosexual agenda. Peter LaBarbera declared concerning Christian ex-homosexuals who reported being transformed by the power of God:

“ Another factor from my experience as a close observer of the “ex-gay” phenomenon is that many former homosexuals do not linger in “reparative therapy” programs, or participate in them at all. They attribute their dramatic and (relatively) rapid transformation to the power of God, and likely would not show up in a study of this kind. In fact, these “unstudied” overcomers would appear to be the most successful ex-homosexuals because they’ve moved on with their lives — as “reborn” Christians move on after overcoming any besetting sin.[21] ”
Homosexuality is rare in Orthodox Jews.[22]

In 1980 a study was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and eleven men participated in a study about men overcoming homosexuality. The American Journal of Psychiatry stated that eleven homosexual men became heterosexuals "without explicit treatment and/or long-term psychotherapy" through their participation in a Pentecostal church.[23] The results of this study are not surprising since Christian faith has shown itself to be effective in combating drug addiction. For example, Christian group Teen Challenge reported the following:

“ Teen Challenge claims of a 70% cure rate for the drug addicts graduating from their program attracted the attention of the U.S. Federal Government in 1973. Most secular drug rehabilitation programs only experienced a cure rate of 1-15% of their graduates. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, funded the first year of this study to evaluate the long term results of the Teen Challenge program.[24] ”

Teen Challenge has a number of studies that indicate the high effectiveness of their drug treatment program compared to other programs.[25]

Also, as noted above, on December 11, 2001, the prestigious Mayo Clinic reported:

“ In an article also published in this issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic researchers reviewed published studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and subject reviews that examined the association between religious involvement and spirituality and physical health, mental health, health-related quality of life and other health outcomes.

The authors report a majority of the nearly 350 studies of physical health and 850 studies of mental health that have used religious and spiritual variables have found that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes.[26]

”

See also


Comedy and satire:


Other comedy and satire concerning atheism and evolution:


Health and weight loss related resources:


Weight loss resources and tips:

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/
  2. ↑ http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/08/thats_not_a_heart_its_a_flaili.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scienceblogs%2Fpharyngula+%28Pharyngula%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
  3. ↑ http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full
  4. ↑ http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/08/25/as-waistlines-widen-brains-shrink.html
  5. ↑ http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full
  6. ↑ http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/08/25/as-waistlines-widen-brains-shrink.html
  7. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21121834
  8. ↑ http://creation.com/smithsonian-evolution-top-10-consequences
  9. ↑ http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/06/the_final_tally_on_the_camp_qu.php
  10. ↑ http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/battle.html
  11. ↑ http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/pe/exs190web/exs190history.htm
  12. ↑ MailVox: Who said atheists are fat?.
  13. ↑ At least you can see a hint of what you missed
  14. ↑ "Creation Museum: Is This How World Began?" (ABC News)
  15. ↑
  16. ↑
  17. ↑
  18. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=symptoms
  19. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ChuckNorris200611292256.jpg
  20. ↑ http://www.wnd.com/index.php/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=109051
  21. ↑ http://www.americansfortruth.com/news/landmark-study-change-for-homosexuals-is-possible.html
  22. ↑ http://www.conservapedia.com/Religious_Upbringing_and_Culture_Affects_Rates_of_Homosexuality
  23. ↑ E.M. Pattison and M.L. Pattison, "'Ex-Gays': Religiously Mediated Change in Homosexuals," American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 137, pp. 1553-1562, 1980
  24. ↑ http://www.acadc.org/page/page/2495014.htm
  25. ↑ http://www.acadc.org/page/page/2495014.htm
  26. ↑ http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/76/12/1225.full.pdf
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