On Paleo "Communities"

Begun on July 12 at 8:37 P.M.

In a previous post I linked to a piece describing how the author formed a paleo/primal community. What would unite people? A common interest in health and fitness, in particular the paleo lifestyle. What would such a friendship be like? I would suspect the more important things in life (e.g. religion) are just ignored or brought up, unless perchance a bunch of paleo enthusiasts who are like-minded in other areas meet. Religion may not be necessary for some friendships, but if we are talking about the health of society at large, it is important.

For men, friendship is usually lived or expressed through common pursuits, such as physical activities and sports. Having common activities may suffice for passing most of the time together, but it isn't enough. The conversation naturally turns to other topics. "Compartmentalizing" both in one's personal life and with regards to the people with whom he spends time is easy in a community that is too big, but it involves the risk that the higher pursuits will be ignored or diminished in favor of other things, depending upon the friends with whom one associates most often. With too many friends, there is a potential for over-extension and "dilution" -- one will probably end up having a core group. Which friends will comprise that core group? It's not necessarily one's priorities alone that will determine this, but one must also take into account who is free and available.


As friends are united by what they share, they should share pursuit of the ultimate end in common. Physical health is subordinate to spiritual health. It is true that in this country, food has become a political issue, as well as health and fitness, because of the political economy and government regulations and "recommendations." But even without these problems, they would be political in so far as they are ordered to the proper exercise of citizenship, and a citizenship should be concerned about these goods.

Those who follow the paleo/primal lifestyle are more likely to be free-thinkers or libertarians; one has to be to a certain extent to reject the Establishment's dogma regarding nutrition and exercise. In addition, there are also plenty of locavores seeking organic produce and better selection of meats. Some are engaged in a post-Christian search for "spirituality"; others are content being agnostics or atheists.

Are there enough Christians interested in paleo to form their own groups? Certainly there are many  who are interested in learning about alternative views about nutrition and fitness and many support local farms and buy grass-fed meat as well, but they may be wary of adopting the evolutionary theory used to explain why the paleo diet works or taking such a radical step as to adopt some version of the paleo lifestyle. Christians and VFFs?



P.S. There is a local meetup group for Paleo, and another for MovNat.

Related links:

Adam Farrah's blog: Raw Meat on Paleo and Paleo Spirituality

FB page for his new book

Leangains Guide
Fast Paleo

Note: Today is the Ancestral Health Symposium. Wish I could be there. Spocom Anaheim is this weekend too. Free the Animal.