Leaving Sundays: Ebony Exodus - The Impact on Physical Health

Black women find themselves in the unfortunate position of being the most religious and devout demographic in the country while disproportionately suffering from the most horrendous yet preventable diseases - Candace Gorham, Ebony Exodus

The author points out the abysmal Sexually Transmitted Disease numbers amongst Black women, the obesity numbers, and the chronic diseases caused by unhealthy lifestyles (Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, etc).  

While we cannot solely blame church for these statistics, it’s safe to say that the beliefs and practices of the church do not help or serve women in this area.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

With sexually transmitted diseases, the men (the few that are there) are not groomed for a lifestyle of holiness and so they sleep around often unprotected.

I’ve heard someone say that the reason they had unprotected sex was because if they protected themselves that would mean that they were willfully sinning.  WHAT??!!  Once you decide you want the penis to go into the woman’s hoo-ha, you’ve decided to sin.  SO WHAT THE HECK?!

This is the kind of stupidity that runs rampant in church.

Impact on Health

Many of the women I knew from church were unhealthy and I believe it was because they were so miserable and depressed.  Misery, Depression, and stress wreaks havoc on our hormonal systems.

These women did not have loving relationships, they weren't into self care, nutrition was abysmal (and this was not helped with the fact that every gathering at church was filled with unhealthy foods), there wasn't much time for exercise since you had to be at church all the time, and there wasn't a lot of enjoyment in life because church had a way of making you feel bad about having a good time if it didn't involve church.

Candace Gorham makes a good point that I agree with

Black women need to realize that not only do their supernatural beliefs and yearnings not help them but their beliefs also often create a breeding ground for unnecessary suffering.

This simple fact was what Led me out of legalistic teachings.  These beliefs did not seem to be helping anybody live a rich and victorious life. In fact most people were a case study in what NOT to do.

Nutrition and Obesity

The author talks about obesity in her book. She points out that the obese regions in the United States, the South and Midwest, are also the most religious

I have several theories about this

• Eating is the only acceptable enjoyable activity that churches allow  people to do and of course people eat too much when that's all they have to look forward to.
• Church is depressing and you never feel like you're doing anything right so you eat your feelings away. Maybe that's why all you can eat buffets are so popular with the church crowd after service.
• Women do not allow themselves  to feel emotions, deal with their problems honestly,  and as result physically stuff themselves with food.
• Eating is a coping mechanism and more acceptable than drinking, having lots of sex, or drugs (although people do this as well).
• Women with low self esteem do not feel attractive so they get together with other women to eat and criticize others.
• They have given up on themselves and let it all go.

Self care, physical health, and wellness is my jam and I don't understand how people don't see how spirituality should reflect your physical health and encourage you to take good care of yourself.

How can you tell people about the glory of God if you aren't manifesting it in your own life? If you're not fired up, reeking of vitality, and glowing with the love of the Lord how do you expect anyone to believe that what you're doing is working? Why would we join your belief system when it Doesn't seem to be working for you.

Sometimes church intends to foster a strong community through social functions, but it rarely espouses ideas or holds events that promote healthy behaviors and increase mental health.. - Candace Gorham

As she says most of the social gatherings are often centered around food and unhealthy food at that.

I think this is done on purpose because if people started feeling better about themselves, then she would probably leave church. A Person who feels good about herself isn't going to last too long in a church that tries to make her feel guilty about having higher self esteem.

Gorham points out that churches teach people to rely too much on prayer when it comes to their health and not be proactive about taking care of themselves.

While I agree with that assessment, I just wouldn't limit that to health. Many of these women in these churches have been praying for years without ever taking any real action in their own lives.

Church isn't big on action. They are big on talking and talking loud but not so much action once you leave the building!