Religion of Thinness

When Thinness Becomes Our Ultimate Purpose

I was talking with a radio host the other day, explaining what I mean by “The Religion of Thinness.” 

“But most women,” she said, “aren’t trying to lose weight for religious reasons.” Of course, she is right. Most women don’t consciously associate their desire to be slender with something spiritual. And yet….

How Might a Religion Scholar Understand Women’s Body Image and Eating Problems?

I am both humbled and a little daunted by the invitation to write a blog about body image and eating problems for Psychology Today. For one thing, I’m not a psychologist. And although I have learned a great deal from the field of psychology, I’m not technically trained in this area, nor do I work in a clinical setting. Instead, I am a scholar of religion, trained in theological and religious studies. I teach college students in the upper Midwest, and I have a particular interest in the relationship between religion, gender, embodiment, and culture. 

So what does a religion scholar like myself see when she looks at women’s manic and often dangerous attempts to reduce the size of their bodies? What new insights might emerge from considering our culture’s devotion to thinness through the lens of spirituality and religion?