Is smoking a sin?

[whatevergirl]

It’s a filthy habit.

As is spitting in public.

But, while rude and inconsiderate and disgusting and etc, they’re not sins.

We can’t deem something a sin, but addictive behaviors lead us away from God. Eventually, it can lead us to sin. Knowingly poisoning our bodies, whether it be legal or not, whether it be classified in a sin category or not, leads us away from God. I just don’t see it any other way. We are all sinners, to one degree or another, but addictions rob us of the joy and peace of a full relationship with Christ. We can’t serve an addiction, and serve God at the same time. I am talking of someone who is addicted, and who is trying to break free. I don’t liken that to spitting in public.

 

[whatevergirl]

The harm that smoking does is minor in comparison with the harm that other activities cause. And the effect is so slow in taking effect as to be negligible. It also used to be that folks died of something else long before they ever got to the age when lung cancer or emphysema kicked in.

For that reason, even though folks have been smoking for 500 years or so, the Church never condemned it.

If you get a list or guide for the examination of conscience for preparation before the Sacrament of Confession, there are a lot of moral-warping activities on there. And they are all worse than smoking.

In my opinion, what we are doing is deliberately deluding ourselves … by saying that something is so horrible that we need to debate it …

… meanwhile overlooking allllllll those other things that the Catholic Church long ago identified as definite and QUICK soul-killers.

We seem to focus on secular “sins” … although you can get absolution by sending a certain non-presidential politician some money so he can plant trees. And he’ll send you a certificate of absolution/ carbon credits.

We need to get back to the list of sins that the Catholic Church published that we humans are still prone to … and as one confessor said to me … “quit making up sins”.

But … nonetheless … sin does exist. Many of them are biggies. We do commit them and we need to focus back on them instead of exaggerating about how smoking is a killer.

And we do exaggerate.

How do we exaggerate?

By morfing words. * We spin things.

We start by disusing the word “mortal sin”. And instead gravitate the word to “serious sin”. Mortal sin is pretty crystal clear, more or less. Serious sin … not so crystal clear.

So, we “morf” from smoking is a killer to smoking is harmful.

And anything that is harmful is a killer.

But that’s not right.

Father Benedict stepped off a curb without looking both ways. That was harmful. He was essentially killed … they pronounced him dead … but he came back after 20+ minutes. And etc. But did he commit a sin?

Is smoking any more of a sin than not looking both ways.

Is one deliberate and the other careless?

Is carelessness a sin? Yeah, well, he was tired and hadn’t eaten all day because he was busy. Yeah, well, is it ok to drive oneself to the point of exhaustion?

---

We are capable of driving ourselves around in circles. What’s next after smoking? In NYC, the next secular sin is “transfats”. No joke. They are already outlawed.

It seems like the secular church is unable to stop real crimes and real sin so they invent new ones that they can catch and punish people for.

And that’s where we are going.

We are inventing new sins that are easy to spot (cellulite; not recycling that soda can) so we can avoid looking in the mirror at ourselves and seeing our real sins.

Pick up one of those examination of conscience guidelines. It can be pretty illuminating.*
My dad died at age 54, he was diagnosed at 52. I grew up without him, for the most part. I’m not exaggerating. Please do not mitigate the dangerous effects of smoking. Don’t liken it to things that really have no comparison, like jay walking, or stepping off of a curb too soon into traffic. You might not have known someone who was addicted, but I have known quite a few, and it’s not an exaggeration. The Church does not condone addictive behavior either…it just doesn’t carve out a separate space for smoking. Smoking just doesn’t cause cancer…it can cause a plethera of other problems…throat problems, pneumonia, glaucoma, skin cancer, premature aging, stroke, heart disease, and of course lung cancer and many others.

It is not a slow death…some people die sooner than others.

 

[bobzills]

My dad died at age 54, he was diagnosed at 52. I grew up without him, for the most part. I’m not exaggerating. Please do not mitigate the dangerous effects of smoking. Don’t liken it to things that really have no comparison, like jay walking, or stepping off of a curb too soon into traffic. You might not have known someone who was addicted, but I have known quite a few, and it’s not an exaggeration. The Church does not condone addictive behavior either…it just doesn’t carve out a separate space for smoking. Smoking just doesn’t cause cancer…it can cause a plethera of other problems…throat problems, pneumonia, glaucoma, skin cancer, premature aging, stroke, heart disease, and of course lung cancer and many others.

It is not a slow death…some people die sooner than others.

This is why generally, smoking is harmful to your health and the health of those around you and therefore it can be sinful, unless you are smoking in small quantities.

 

[Al_Masetti]

This thread is getting way too emotional, in my opinion.

We have gotten similarly emotional on other threads previously where some behavior or other resulted in a death or illness and someone unfortunately touched by the events decided that the behavior was a sin.

Or sometimes … just because someone took exception to it. Such as driving 26 in a 25 zone.

It’s not always a sin.

Not everyone dies or gets sick from smoking.

If certain behaviors or habits are problematic for certain individuals, they are within their rights to stop engaging in those behaviors. They may argue against family members engaging in those behaviors if they have a demonstrated high probability of illness. They may also argue against those behaviors and habits. They may even decide to try to get a law passed banning those behaviors. (Tobacco, so far, is not illegal.)

But it doesn’t mean that engaging in those behaviors is an actual sin.

 

[whatevergirl]

This thread is getting way too emotional, in my opinion.

We have gotten similarly emotional on other threads previously where some behavior or other resulted in a death or illness and someone unfortunately touched by the events decided that the behavior was a sin.

Or sometimes … just because someone took exception to it. Such as driving 26 in a 25 zone.

It’s not always a sin.

Not everyone dies or gets sick from smoking.

If certain behaviors or habits are problematic for certain individuals, they are within their rights to stop engaging in those behaviors. They may argue against family members engaging in those behaviors if they have a demonstrated high probability of illness. They may also argue against those behaviors and habits. They may even decide to try to get a law passed banning those behaviors. (Tobacco, so far, is not illegal.)

But it doesn’t mean that engaging in those behaviors is an actual sin.

I never said it was a sin… I said addictions can lead to sin…Not that smoking is a sin.

 

[Mea_Culpa]

Thou shall not kill. If I remember right, that was not a suggestion, it was a commandment. If someone knowingly breaks a commandment, they have committed a sin. Smoking is a sin. Everybody nowdays knows that smoking is harmful and can cause death. Smoking is a sin, it can kill you and those around you. Smoking on a regular basis is a mortal sin. Don’t try to justify it. It is a sin. Stop doing it.

 

[whatevergirl]

I admit, I have been a bit taken aback by the justification of smoking in this thread…but my husband justified it for a long time too…and I think that when we are clinging to something, we develop a false hope over it, and it becomes hard to break. Not just physically but mentally. I just hope that everyone who is addicted to smoking will quit, and if you haven’t ever thought about smoking–please don’t!:nope:

 

[Debra_C]

There was a time people simply smoked just for the pleasure of it. We didn’t really know that it was harmful to our bodies. Here, there was no sin. However, to deliberately do something, in my humble opinion, that you know is bad for you is sinful. One’s culpability for such sin may be mediated by circumstances, such as ignorance, established habit, or addiction.

The Church does not have a specific teaching in regard to smoking, thus anything anyone says about it being sinful or not is essentially a matter of opinion. However, the medical establishment does have something definitive to say. It’s bad for you. Please, quit. It isn’t easy (I know–I went through this already) but it is what is best for you, and surely that is what God would want for you (whether or not it is sinful).

 

[whatevergirl]

There was a time people simply smoked just for the pleasure of it. We didn’t really know that it was harmful to our bodies. Here, there was no sin. However, to deliberately do something, in my humble opinion, that you know is bad for you is sinful. One’s culpability for such sin may be mediated by circumstances, such as ignorance, established habit, or addiction.

The Church does not have a specific teaching in regard to smoking, thus anything anyone says about it being sinful or not is essentially a matter of opinion. However, the medical establishment does have something definitive to say. It’s bad for you. Please, quit. It isn’t easy (I know–I went through this already) but it is what is best for you, and surely that is what God would want for you (whether or not it is sinful).

Wow -said so beautifully, and perfectly. I thank you for how you put this…I think that makes perfect sense.

 

[AlegreFe]

AlegreFe-- about bc pills being prescribed for women who want to regulate periods…the RCC is not against that, so long as it’s not being used for the purpose of preventing pregnancy. It would be a byproduct, but for medicinal purposes, the pill is not seen as sinful, if that is the intent. However, I agree with the rest of what you said about that. There are health benefits, but also risks…

But, I still wouldn’t compare them to smoking. Taking bc pills isn’t habit forming, or addictive…and smoking is always detrimental to one’s health, and to others should they be in nose-shot of smelling it. Like when my kids and I came out of a restaurant tonight, and one of the waitresses was smoking right in front of the door… lovely. Just the image I want now of who is serving my food.

Hi you can call me Sandy. Even though the Church is not against taking the pill for regulating periods, I do not agree with that. Thank goodness that is not a “dogma” with which I have to agree. There are other options for regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle. The Church not being against it makes for women and young girls to use it as an excuse. It leaves open the door of sinning. I know the Church says “only for regulating” or other “benefits” but I don’t think the Church should even go as far as saying that.

Even though taking ABC Pills is not addictive, it does not mean that it is healthy for anyone. We know the “mal” it does us. Just ask Jason & Crystallina Evert about taking the “pill” for the “benefits” of regulating the menstruel cycle. Crystallina opted for another form of medication to regulate her periods and it worked just fine without the side effects of the “pill.”

If a woman is on the “pill” for “other reasons” what would she do if she wants to have relations with her husband? That would not be good because they are not open to life then. I don’t see any benefits of being on the pill at all. I disagree with you on that one.

 

[whatevergirl]

Hi you can call me Sandy. Even though the Church is not against taking the pill for regulating periods, I do not agree with that. Thank goodness that is not a “dogma” with which I have to agree. There are other options for regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle. The Church not being against it makes for women and young girls to use it as an excuse. It leaves open the door of sinning. I know the Church says “only for regulating” or other “benefits” but I don’t think the Church should even go as far as saying that.

Even though taking ABC Pills is not addictive, it does not mean that it is healthy for anyone. We know the “mal” it does us. Just ask Jason & Crystallina Evert about taking the “pill” for the “benefits” of regulating the menstruel cycle. Crystallina opted for another form of medication to regulate her periods and it worked just fine without the side effects of the “pill.”

If a woman is on the “pill” for “other reasons” what would she do if she wants to have relations with her husband? That would not be good because they are not open to life then. I don’t see any benefits of being on the pill at all. I disagree with you on that one.

hello we can agree to disagree. But, the topic of smoking, shouldn’t be all inclusive of other potentially sinful activities…we need to just look at it for what it is…and it can lead a person to sin, because smoking can become addictive…

 

[whatevergirl]

Not to say that there are no parallels…but, I think a new thread would be better to discuss what you’re talking about Alegre…because it’s really an entirely different topic.

 

[AlegreFe]

Is smoking now listed in examinations of conscience?

In a way, yes; right here; Examination of Conscience by Rev. James Alberione, S.S.P, S.T.D.
We all know that one cigarette contains drugs and many poisons that harm our body. I would say if we use these drugs, it is a sin.

Here is one from Fr. Trigilio; Do I show contempt for my body by neglecting to take care of my own health?

Here is one with an Imprimatur from Francis Cardinal Spellman; have I abused alcohol or drugs?

This one is from a Parish Youth Ministry; Do I love myself as God loves me (different than conceit); do I properly care for my physical, emotional and spiritual health?

It might not say “smoking” directly, but we all know that smoking causes harm to the body. And the Bible clearly states that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Why would you want to harm the Holy Spirit? Why would you want to harm your own body?

I have seen many more of these that say something like, “have I neglected to take care of my health?” or “have I taken anything that would harm my body?” I would say that is enough to convince someone that smoking is a sin since it is not good for your bodily health.

Do people confess it in the confessional?

Yes. I know of at least one person who has confessed it and I’m sure there are others too.

Do textbooks of moral theology list it among the grave sins and provide mitigating as well as aggravating circumstances? What is the gravity of smoking a cigarette compared to smoking a joint, or sipping a bourbon, or eating a Twinkie or a Big Mac?

I have also seen examinations that mention not eating right so as to harm your body.

How does it compare to fornication, masturbation, pornography or cussing in public as to the order of magnitude?

I don’t think comparing sins is important right now. I do think sins of the flesh are worse but it all boils down to whether a person accepts God’s mercy or not. Because if we do not accept God’s mercy or if we do not believe that God’s mercy is bigger than any sin we can commit, then we end up in hell. We all know that is the sin against the Holy Spirit. So comparing sins at this point is not that important as long as we know that God’s mercy is greater than any sin we can commit.

Do people go to hell for smoking?

I doubt that people go to hell for smoking but that does not mean it cannot be considered a sin. If you abuse anything that harms the body it is a sin. And if you refuse to accept it and keep on abusing your body by doing harm to it then it could certainly turn into a mortal sin. And we all know where we could end up after a mortal sin if we do not accept God’s mercy and repent of that mortal sin.

The Q&A link given a few posts back by alexbrown is obviously not from a Catholic source;
I don’t know that the Church has spoken about the matter one way or the other.

It doesn’t matter if it didn’t come from a Catholic source as long as it is not anti-Catholic and it makes sense to what the Catholic Church woud teach. It used the bible and it did not take the verses out of context. I’ve seen plenty of examination of conscience forms that talk about harming your body. We all know that smoking harms the body. We all know that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. If you would not blow smoke directly into a Tabernacle that contains Jesus then why would you blow smoke into your own body that contains the Holy Spirit?

Father Corapi has mentioned that smoking and use of tobacco is a sin. That is enough for me coming from the Church. Father Larry Richards has an examination of conscience that mentions smoking but I cannot find the link for it.

 

[AlegreFe]

Not to say that there are no parallels…but, I think a new thread would be better to discuss what you’re talking about Alegre…because it’s really an entirely different topic.

I did not intend to continue this topic here but I won’t bother to start another thread either. I’ve stated my position on it already.

 

[JimG]

Yes, there are lots of ways that we can harm our bodies. Probably overeating is more prevalent in this regard than smoking, and it actually is named as a sin (gluttony). But if people want to confess smoking in the confessional that’s up to them. I still don’t think that one cigar every few years is sinful. Smoking just seems to be more of a secular sin than an actual sin.

Also, as to abuse of the body, it might be noted that many of the saints practiced physical mortification of the body. Obviously, not taking care of the body. Let’s keep a degree of moderation about all things, including smoking.

 

[Jimsdun]

I think cigarette smoking can be seen as sinful, because if we are damaging our health–then how could we be respecting the body (temple) God gave to us? The thing with smoking cigarettes nowadays is that they are riddles with arsenic, ammonia, etc…and spiked with extra nicotine to get people addicted quicker. My dad died from smoking, so I am very biased, personally. I would go ape crazy if I saw my kids smoking, and my husband has given up the habit, thankfully.Largely, due to seeing what it did to my dad–I can never ever look at cigarette smoking as okay. The person who tries it once or twice…or is an occasional social smoker, really probably doesn’t have a problem with letting it go. But, the person who is addicted, really needs to ask him/herself…am I placing this addiction in the rightful place that God should hold? I liken anything that we become addicted to…FOOD, DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING, SEX, etc…anything that we allow to take over our lives, as idol worship. Its insidious nature is all designed by the devil, if you ask me. But, anything that we cling to for comfort or peace or whatever on a continual basis can be detrimental to our faith walk.

It also sickens me that big business gets rich off of the demise of the general public’s health–UGH!!!

Might as well stop eating too. All the food companies intentiionally put substances in food intended to cause weight gain.

 

[whatevergirl]

Might as well stop eating too. All the food companies intentiionally put substances in food intended to cause weight gain.

You can choose not to eat those foods. If I choose to live off of cake, cookies and ice cream…should I blame someone other than myself for the weight gain? Sugar is a natural substance, that when eaten out of moderation, it releases an enzyme in our brains to ‘crave’ more…so, again, we don’t have to choose to eat badly…same with smoking. Just don’t begin the habit, and you’ll be better off. One could choose to eat lean proteins, veggies, and fruits as a rule, eating only sweets rarely.

Regardless, saying one thing is bad for a person, doesn’t mean that we cancel it out because other things we may or may not do are ‘as bad’ or could be as bad. Smoking by itself is bad, and that is what this thread is about. ANYTHING that we put before God, can lead us into sin…eventually…I noted that above, actually in another post.

 

[AlegreFe]

Might as well stop eating too. All the food companies intentiionally put substances in food intended to cause weight gain.

Oh come on, lets get real here. What you’re talking about is processed foods that lazy people buy so as to not cook real food. Do you buy frozen dinners? Do you buy those “quick meals” in a box? And as far as gaining weight it is common sense that if you eat sweets, cakes, ice cream and the like, you will gain weight. Please don’t use exaggerations about something else just to try to prove a point about smoking.

 

[AlegreFe]

Here is something you can get to hear about how to escape addictions;
A Path in the Desert: Finding Freedom from Addictions That Destroy Our Happiness

 

[whatevergirl]

Here is something you can get to hear about how to escape addictions;
A Path in the Desert: Finding Freedom from Addictions That Destroy Our Happiness

thanks for that link af!