I was recently watching one of those late-night televangelist broadcasts, featuring an attractive older man standing in front of what looked to be thousands of people, all desperately waiting on his every word. After a short introduction, he brought out a guest, namely, Jordan S. Rubin, creator of “The Maker’s Diet” (www.makersdiet.com). As Mr. Rubin would go on to explain, there are certain foods that are Biblically mandated for a healthy lifestyle, and others that are specifically forbidden. Things such as shellfish and pork, clearly outlined as off-limits in Leviticus, are only harmful to the body. Other foods like figs, olive oil, and wine are mentioned positively, and are thus beneficial to the body. Now, I have no desire to debate the differences between Israel and the Church, argue the particular relevancy of the Old Covenant within the New, or follow any of the other numerous possible tangents. And to be quite honest, I don’t particularly care if the diet works or not.

What really upsets me is the fact that God is being used to market a product. Christian beliefs about the Bible are being manipulated to sell copies of a diet plan.

It’s not like this is a wholly unknown phenomenon. Who profited from the WWJD phenomenon? I’m willing to bet it wasn’t the local churches. Who makes the popular car attachments shaped like fish? I don’t know, but I’m willing to bet they make out alright. This, however, is something slightly different, and something far worse. In fact, I think this is really insidious. The Maker’s Diet says, in effect, that God has created some food to be eaten, and eaten properly, and it is Christian duty to abide by these rules. If a person truly believes in the Bible, and believes that what the Bible says is true, then he or she should be following The Maker’s Diet. This goes far beyond bumper-sticker faith proclamation. This deals with moral responsibility, with pleasing God, and with interpreting the sacred texts of our tradition. Perhaps the plan works, perhaps is doesn’t. That’s not the point. The point is that Christians are being manipulated and guilt-tripped into buying this book. I, for one, am sickened.