You're welcome

Posted by Bookworm on September 17, 2004

In Reply to: I just fell about laughing posted by Lotg on September 17, 2004

: : : : I got this from an urban legends site and found a few others that claimed the same thing. I might well be true.

: : : : Origins: The Reverend Sylvester Graham, a Presbyterian minister who became a social reformer and a ferocious advocate of healthful living, is the man who put the 'graham' into the treat we now know and love as graham crackers. Sylvester Graham (1794-1851) believed physical lust was harmful to the body and caused such dire maladies in the sexually overheated as pulmonary consumption, spinal diseases, epilepsy, and insanity, as well as such lesser ailments as headaches and indigestion. He also thought too much lust could result in the early death of offspring, who would have been conceived from weakened stock.

: : : : Graham believed a strict vegetarian diet would aid in suppressing carnal urges; to this end, he advocated a regimen devoid of meat and rich in fiber as a way of combating rampant desire. His famed "Graham bread" was fashioned from the coarsely ground wheat flour he espoused and came to bear his name.

: : : It is, of course, no small irony that the once wholesome Graham Cracker became an orgy of sugar, cinnamon, and ultra-refined flour served to millions of american kindergardeners, along with milk adulterated with sugar and imitation chocalate flavoring, each day before nap-time. Do kids still get graham crackers and chocalate milk before nap-time?

: : Back in '65 we got graham crackers and white milk. Never heard of any kindergarteners getting chocolate milk. Last year my youngest was in kindergarten and I believe the kids were offered juice, but not milk. Too much lactose intolerance these days?

: Is this serious??? How could I have EVER considered leaving this site? This just cracked me up. Are you telling me that children were given this stuff? Didn't people know what it was about? Not that it appears it was ever likely to have any effect on children either way. I've NEVER heard of this before, but you have definitely made my day. As a girl who was raised as a Methodist, only just removed from Presbyterian, (ie. not Scottish is the only difference I ever understood as a child - probably wrong), there is enough empathy to make this really really funny. Oh how religion is SOOOOOOOOOOOO open to interpretation, and oh how so many people with real issues choose to use it to qualify/justify their problems. Thankyou so much Bookworm.

I was rather surprised as well. I am very fond of graham crackers, but I don't think I will look at them the same way again. I am a vegetarian (I don't even eat eggs anymore) and it has been very beneficial for me. However, I would not dare say that it is for everyone. I know someone who tried it for a while and it made him physically ill. He actually broke out in hives. BTW, I don't quite agree with Graham that a vegetarian diet combats sexual desire. India is experiencing overpopulation, isn't it?