Smoking or not smoking, definitely one of those two.
Feb 2nd by JonRecently I saw an ad for Camel Cigarettes. The headline was “Break Free” which seemed ironic to me. I don’t have a problem with that phrase or the 78 Christian books that use it in the subtitle, it’s just that I’m not sure it fits for a cigarette. I mean after all, cigarettes are addictive. There’s nothing “break free” about smoking. It’s more “Get tangled” or “Get enslaved,” although I suppose those headlines wouldn’t move many cartons. But as a Christian, in addition to mocking cigarette ads, what’s our opinion supposed to be on the whole idea of smoking?
It was so much easier in college. There was absolutely no debate about whether or not God was OK with smoking cigarettes. There were only a handful of smokers at my small Baptist school and everyone knew who they were and where they’d be. Unlike Motley Crue, they rarely smoked in the boy’s room, but instead chose to light up outside of the mailroom at Samford University. Smokers, how dare they!
But then things got a little fuzzier after college. You met Christians who smoked, people who professed the name of Christ while enjoying the smooth menthol flavor of a Kool or the life affirming, you’ve come a long way baby thinness of a Virginia Slim. And then on top of that, friends chewed tobacco. Right there in front of you, with a spit cup and a brown gooey mess of mucus.
So what to do? What to do? Best case scenario is to probably go ahead and judge them, a move that is only amplified if you can do it while overeating. Seriously, if you can say something like, “Cigarettes are sinful because you’re abusing your body, which is the temple of God,” while enjoying a 57 layer burrito from Taco Bell, that would be pretty good. (Although right now, they are running ads about dieting at Taco Bell, this from a company that invented the “fourth meal,” a chance to eat a grilled stuffed burrito between dinner and breakfast. That’s adorable.)
And don’t you throw the g word back at me. Don’t you use the word all good potluck lunch eatin’, sausage gravy pourin’ on any object Christians enjoy. You know the one I’m talking about, gluttony. Sure, my wife literally said to me the other day, “Are your pants fitting right?” because the button of my jeans could pop off and kill someone right now since I put on 15 pounds over the holidays primarily from Salt & Vinegar Pringles (I swear those things are made from unicorn dreams) but that’s beside the point. This is about smokers. Keep me out of this. I’ll break a crock pot over your back if you come close to getting me to discuss gluttony.
Smoking, should Christians do it?
Comments
[...] Original post: bSmoking/b or not bsmoking/b, definitely one of those two. « Stuff b…/b [...]
Christians – non Christians, does not really matter. no one should.
The possibility of harming others through second-hand smoke should be enough to keep Christians from exposing others to their smoke. Just as we have no business drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car, we shouldn't expose others to second-hand smoke. It's between you and God if you only smoke in your own home and never in front of anyone else, and never when you're sleepy – I was once in a fire caused by a woman who fell asleep smoking and didn't live to tell the tale herself.
Maybe the proper question could've been something like- Are you a *better* Christian because you don't smoke as compared to a Christian who does? Because I'm not stupid, I know I shouldn't smoke, but I get the feeling that some people feel like they're closer to God than I am.
Pringles are awesome, even if I curse my self after every tube I empty.
I'm in a college ministry and I remember a leader telling a story where a student came up to him and told him that the most lasting thing our ministry left him with was an addiction to tobacco. It started because his small group leaders wanted to smoke cigars together and snowballed from there. When we sign on to leadership, we agree to not smoke tobacco. Not to pass judgement on us or make these choices for us, but to acknowledge the influence that a small group leader can have in a person's life, and that that influence should be for Christ and not tobacco. I think that it's a personal choice, and one that I disagree with. I also feel that it is a sin the same as gluttony, but that we shouldn't pass judgement in the matter as in others. Finally, I think that it seriously becomes a sin issue when we lead others to that instead of to Christ.
Jesus smoked a hookah – okay that's probably not true, but it could have been.
That was a riot. I don't know how you sneak so many gems in each post, but you do.
We've all got addictions–some are just more visible than others.
Part of the reason Hubs left full-time ministry and went to work with the homeless is that he saw "the church" giving preference and making space for those who are clean on the outside (those who don't smoke, those who don't drink, those who dress nicely, those who have a good bodily smell, etc). And eventually all the energy we were putting into "church" felt like a sham.
If a non-believing smoker read the comments to this post, would they move his faith forward or back? That's the kind of stuff I think about. And that's why I like these posts because they put up that mirror and let us see who we truly are.
Wait. Wait. I got to go get my judging box….
I completely commend you for thinking outside of the box here! I had a friend who questioned another friends faith because she smoked. Although, the criticizer indulged in cookies, cake, ice cream, brownies and candy on a daily (sometimes 2 or 3 times) basis. Yes, she was skinny. But it is still gluttony and it is a very ignorant and close minded way to look at things!
Thats the pot calling the kettle black!
I agree with Bryan. No one should smoke. But neither is someone a "bad Christian" if they do. Maybe just a dumb one. I'm glad that my salvation is not dependent on whether or not I commit the sin du jour.
"made from unicorn dreams" Ha!
Smoke 'em if you got 'em. But then again get lung cancer if you want too. I just find smoking to be a waste of time and money. I do believe it falls under the grey category of things. Bottom line though: are you representing Christ to you fullest ability?
[...] Good post from Jon Acuff over at Stuff Christians Like. Jon talks about smoking and what our view is as Christians. My question is simply this, should it matter whether you are a Christian or not? To me it doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or not. Smoking is smoking and whether you want to come to grips with reality, IT’S NOT GOOD FOR YOU! Then again I had a college professor who always said, “Knowledge in and of itself does not change behavior”. My how true this is. Here is the link to the blog post at Stuff Christians Like. [...]
great thoughts. thanks.
I had to deal with this a lot when I was pastoring in England. Right after church we had a number of people who would rush out and roll their own cigarettes. Rather than freaking out I chose to believe it wasn't that big of a deal. At least they were coming to church.
I know this post and comment thread is mostly about smoking cigarettes, but I cigarettes aren't the only things that get smoked and their is definitely a scale of acceptability in Christian circles over different tobacco products.
In fact here is the scale, 1 being more or less acceptable and 5 being an unconscionable sin. Here's how you determine where things rank on this scale; if a older lady from the church caught you smoking one of these things what would her response be?
Pipe = 1. "He's probably contemplating the trinity or meditating on what heaven will be like. Plus C.S. Lewis smoked a pipe, so that has to count for something."
Cigar = 2. "He's probably celebrating the birth of a child or marriage of a friend, so I guess it's ok."
Cloves = 3. "Well at least they're not real cigarettes."
Cigarettes = 4. "I can't believe he's smoking cigarettes. He's probably addicted and can't stop, I'll pray for him."
Hooka = 5. "Oh my gosh I think there is marijuana in that thing."
Haha I have some Christian friends that smoke hooka, they were introduced to it by their American Christian friends so I was under the impression that it was pretty much 'acceptable' over there.. guess not!
We all know smoking is unhealthy for ourselves and those around us. It would be nice if no one smoked. But lilke the other vices of this world, smoking, drinking, drugs, gambling, gaming, gluttony, sometimes we all have habits that aren't good for us. I do laugh with some of my old friends about the "Smokers Lounge" that was in the High School for kids to use between classes and during the lunch block. We all wonder….."What were they thinking??????"
Here's another reason not to smoke: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/in...
i like to smoke cigars and still crave cigarettes sometimes
noooooooooooooo
I tried smoking when I was a teenager, I failed.
Tried the cigar thing once or twice but not for me, actually I am afraid that my wife will like it (she like the smell of a pipe – I get worried sometimes, lol)
Smoking is one thing that should never be acceptable. Not only are you damaging your body a lot more than eating unhealthy food, but it causes pollution: the lingering smell on clothes; sidestream smoke that others can inhale; the visual pollution of yellowed teeth and fingernails; terrible breath; the internal damage it is doing to your body. Smoking is a selfish act, as it affects other people, not just yourself. Something that has no benefit at a great cost (drinking alcohol every day; an addiction to smoking; and so on) is never acceptable in God's eyes. He loves smokers; but he gave us all a way out of addictions and expects us to take it: Jesus.
I think the way smoke can effect others is an important point. It really frustrates me how many smokers will light up really close to someone else (in an enclosed space even) without checking if the other person minds. Given it can have immediate (asthma attack ect) and long term (cancer ect.) health effects and subjects the person to a smell they may find very unpleasant I find it very rude and selfish. If you've really gotta smoke around other people, ask if they mind and hold on till you are out of their presence if they say they do mind.
Listen, I don't smoke. But my question is this, is smoking on cigerette or cigar a sin? Cuz honestly as damaging as that can be I am pretty sure some cities in the world are just as bad just in their air pollution. Plus Gandalf smokes too. So I think it can't be a sin. Haha.
Also I honestly can't believe how often I am seeing homosexuality and smoking in the same posts. Redonkulous. You know you're an American Christian when… homosexuality is compared to everything.
Hahahaha so true!!!
Why do people care so much? It seems like it's just one more thing Christians can judge and condemn people for. We're getting a reputation for that, ya know?
No bearing on the discussion itself but: smokers waking up from anesthesia after surgery sound AWFUL. Hacking cough for about 10-15 minutes, can't breath, faces turn red, eyes water. It's sad to see.
I work at a cigar store… and, I'm a Christian. Take it or leave it.
I should add I also enjoy Hookah (with tobacco), pipe, and the occasional cigarette… I am a 'Tobacconist' after all.
Guess it's a good thing God looks at the heart- and not the lungs, eh?
I love smoking. The problem is, no matter how hard I try I just can't seem to get hooked. Sometimes I go a whole month without lighting my pipe.
So, how is that a sin?
One of the priests at my church back home smokes. It bothers me a lot, actually, especially since he works with middle and high school kids a lot. Then again, we all have our vices…
[...] – @BrianAllain (on wether Christians should smoke…check out the whole comment here [...]
Just finished reading Timothy Stone”s “The God Who Smokes”… I won’t reveal the spoiler – read it and judge for yourself.
I see no problem with it. They get tangled into the brainwashing that is the Christian church, so there's no harm in them smoking. Smoking and Religion are both alike:
1) They offer lots of things, but generally you get nothing.
2) They both keep dragging you in, even if you want to quit.
3) You'll always know someone who does it, and they'll generally try and convince you it's brilliant.
4) People need to be warned on the risks of both of them.
Thank you for your time, pious brain-washed morons.
no need to be so nasty. Surely it is possible to say you think smoking isn't a problem without being so rude.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by prodigaljohn, Stephen Sutton, Ben Fraley, John Goering, Chris Marsden and others. Chris Marsden said: Smoking or not smoking, definitely one of those two. http://bit.ly/btfTZe – @prodigaljohn [...]
i always figured smoking was stupid, but not sinful
The whole body is a temple thing seems like a conservative Christian cop out, but I can see the danger in engaging in addictive activity. it's so easy for something like that begin taking the place of God. So, when you don't smoke you get cold sweats and turn into a mean son of a gun. What happens when you don't pray or begin to leave God out? How does that affect your spirit? In that sense it's like anything else. Idols come in all shapes and sizes, but if a habit can be controled, I don't see much problem with it. Sure light one up, but don't let that become more important than God or your neighbor.
I see a lot of people who pointed out where Paul writes that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I'd first like to point out that the specific phrase is used in reference to sexual immorality. I'm not saying that applying it to other things is taking it out of context, but just keep it in mind.
Secondly, I'd like to make it clear that it is entirely possible to smoke without becoming addicted. I enjoy smoking both cigarettes (I stick to all-natural American Spirits) and pipe tobacco, and if you have a problem with that, go talk to C.S. Lewis. I smoke most often with friends, at poker games, while I usually have a beer on the table in front of me. *GASP* I know. The Trifecta. What can I say? I like my vices. Except, I don't think they're vices. Everything in moderation, and when it comes to Scripturally gray areas like these, I always practice moderation.
To me, this falls under motive. Why do we smoke? Why do we eat fatty food? Why do we not exercise? Why don't we drink? Why do we play video games? Are we doing these things purely because this is something our bodies want or are we doing this to glorify God? I'm an occasional smoker. I have turned down cigars in cigarettes because I know that I don't need to smoke, but I do enjoy it every once in a while. I don't think that anyone should smoke out of habit or "necessity." Smoking, for me, is part of ministry. Whether it's fellowshipping with friends or, in cases where people ask me for a cigarette, you're pretty much given this free pass to talk to a fellow smoker (It's some sort of unwritten smoker code.) I find that I've has some of the best spiritual conversations with people at a bar while drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette because it disarms people of what the typical TV Christian is like. I believe it is what Christ did, at a much greater extent, when He came to us as a man. He met us where we are at our level. He let us know that He was God but human as well. A lot of people I have talked to believe that they need to "get their lives right" before they start "getting back to the church stuff" and me doing this shows people that my following Christ is not defined by whether or not I smoke or drink. Once again, I do not believe that one should smoke out of a "need" to smoke and like in Romans 14:21, "It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble," if you know someone has a problem with smoking (whether it be addiction or it upsets them when people smoke) then you shouldn't smoke around them.
Hmmm…interesting views…I personally have smoked because my ex-gf smoked and after..well..naughty adult stuff..we'd light up a smoke each and talk, then go back to coughbiblecollegecough…ANYWAY…lol..being someone who HAS smoked..I wouldn't say the ACT of smoking is a sin, but the result it can have – e.g detrimental health effects, cancer, asthma…are something we have to consider when we view our bodies as a temple of the holy spirit.
It's the same for drinking..for me at the moment I cant have a social drink, because -like a lot of New Zealanders- I have the tendency to binge drink with a certain group of friends (i.e. drinking with my non-christian mates I can easily cut through 24 beers and 6 tequila shots in 3 or 4 hours where as with my christian mates at a bqq, drinking one or two beers over 4 or 5 hours is easy as pie)..by 'its the same as drinking' I mean it comes down to an individual and their PERSONAL conviction on an issue.